Kanishka

The mightiest of the Kushana rulers in India was Kanishka. He was in power from 78 AD to 120 AD. It was Kanishka who initiated the Saka Era in 78 AD. He had his capital in Purushapura or Peshawar. Kanishka is also known to have built the city of Kanishkapuram.

Kashmir was conquered by Kanishka. The most significant campaign that he had made was against China. He managed to cross the Pamirs and won over the Chinese. Among the notable places that Kanishka conquered are:

Khotan

Yarkhand

Kashgar

Kanishka is known to have defeated the Saka rulers of Malwa and Gujarat.

There were two important physicians in Kanishka's time namely Charaka and Susruta. Kanishka patronized both of them. Charaka was a scholar as well and versed in various Sastras. He was the writer of the Charaka Samhita. The other medical scholar, Susruta is known for his book, the Susruta Samhita, related to surgery. It has a list of a large variety of surgical instruments.

Kanishka was a great lover of art and architecture. He inspired a new school of sculpture which is better known as the Gandhara sculpture. The theme is always Lord Buddha. The sculptures of Kanishka's time exhibit Greek influence. The subjects were however always Indian. This particular school of sculpture came to be known as the Gandhara School of Indian art.

Kanishka built monuments at:

• Kanishkapura
• Peshawar
• Mathura
• Taxila

Ashvagosha was a well known Buddhist scholar of Kanishka's time. He led Kanishka to the path of Buddhism. Kanishka worked for preaching of Buddhism. He had built many new monasteries and also repaired the old. He spread Buddhism to:

• China
• Japan
• Central Asia
• Tibet

Kanishka was the convener of the 4th Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir. Due to his works he is often called 'Second Asoka'.