The Kuṣhāṇas and two schools of art

The Kuṣhāṇas came from Central Asia and entered India probably in the 2nd century CE. At their peak they ruled from Central Asia to large parts of north India, a time of lots of mixing of cultures.

Their most famous king, Kaṇiṣhka, encouraged art and culture when not at war. His famous 'headless' statue (1.85 m tall) has a Brahmi inscription: 'The great king, king of kings, son of God, Kaṇiṣhka'.

Look at his coins. One shows Kaṇiṣhka holding a spear, and on the other side the Buddha, labelled BOΔΔO in Greek letters. Another shows Śhiva with the bull Nandi. A Central Asian king, a Greek script, the Buddha and Śhiva, all on one ruler's money!

The Kuṣhāṇas controlled big parts of the Silk Route. China made silk first and sent it west along one long road; that road got the name. It linked China with the Mediterranean world, through Central Asia and Persia. Mathura, Takṣhaśhilā, Pāṭaliputra and Tāmralipti sat on its Indian branches. Trade grew, linking India with Asia and the West.

Gods now began to be shown looking more human (like Sūrya, the sun god), and religious art grew, preparing the way for later temples. Two great schools of art stand out:

Easy way to remember: Mathurā stone is red, like the Red Fort; Gāndhāra stone is grey, like the grey Buddha statues many people keep at home.

Despite all the wars, this was a time of great cultural exchange, with styles mixing but Indian themes leading. Sanskrit literature flourished, including the composition of the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa. So see this past as a tapestry: not one kingdom or ruler, but many threads woven together over time.