That the country prospered under the Kushanas is evident in the wide use of luxury articles by the people. Taxila has yielded some gold ornaments and precious articles.
The Kushanas were also very fond of jewellery and the excellence of this art is evident in abstract geometric designs and artistic depiction of plants and animals on the ornaments. Trade, external as well as internal, formed an important part of the economy.
The trade guilds enjoyed stability and support. People seemed to have prospered because, at Mathura, most of the dedications and offerings are by ordinary men and women.
This prosperity was due to a well-established administration ensuring law and order and the absence of foreign invasions.
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There was brisk trade with foreign countries and various commodities from different parts of the empire were exported by land routes through the north-west and sea-routes from the west coast.
The balance of trade was in favour of India and Roman gold was paid for Indian muslins and other imports. It was such a drain on the Romans that Pliny (a Roman writer) complained about it.
Discovery of a large number of gold coins from the ports on the south and west coast of India are a proof of this flourishing trade and commerce in the Kushana era.