Kushanas

The Kushanas were a confederation of peoples who migrated from Central Asia and established a vast empire in the northern Indian subcontinent around the 1st century CE. Their origins are believed to be linked to the Yuezhi tribes. The Kushana Empire, at its zenith, stretched across parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Their most famous ruler, Kanishka I, who reigned in the 2nd century CE, is particularly renowned for his patronage of Buddhism. Under Kushana rule, Buddhism flourished, and significant advancements were made in Gandhara art, which blended Indian and Greco-Roman styles. The Kushanas also played a crucial role in facilitating trade along the Silk Road, acting as intermediaries between the Roman Empire and Han China. Their coinage, often bearing images of various deities from different pantheons, reflects their cosmopolitan nature and tolerance for diverse religious practices. The empire gradually declined, and by the 3rd century CE, it had fractured into smaller kingdoms. The Kushanas left a lasting legacy on the cultural and economic landscape of ancient India.