Short notes on Kanishka as a conqueror and as a patron of and literature

a. Kanishka as a Conqueror:

Kanishka was a great conqueror; further extended the boundary of the Kushana kingdom by new conquests. He conquered Oudh and Pataliputra. Chinese sources refer to a conflict between Kanishka and the Chinese general Panch however, the empire of Kanishka spread from the river Oxus in north to Ganges in the south, and Khorasan in the west to Varanasi in the east.

The capital city of Kanishka was Purushapura (Modern Peshawar). As a ruler Kanishka did not believe in unlimited autocracy.

b. Kanishka as a Patron of Art and Literature:

Kanishka deserves to be remembered also for his patronge of art and literature. Under him unprecedented progress was made in the field of art, literature and science. The celebrated Chaitya that was constructed Peshawar under Kanishka’s orders excites the wonder and admiration of travelers.

Under his patronage sculpture at architecture also flourished. The Gandhara School of art emerges during this period. The great Sanskrit scholar Asvaghosa and the physician Charaka belonged to the age of Kanishka.

c. Kanishka’s Patronage of Buddhism:

Kanishka is also remembered for the patronage he had extended to Buddhism. It was under his initiative that the Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalban in Kashmir. This Council settled certain controversy questions arising out of differences among the followers of Buddhism.

The reign of Kanishka also saw the rise of a new school of Buddhism called Mahayana or the Greater Vehicle. Kanishka also sent missionaries to China and Central Asia for the propagation of Mahayana School of Buddhist idea.