- arrived in many branches
- first in 65AD: Kadphises Branch
- Kanishka branch in 78AD
- originally, Kushanas in Mongolia, but driven out by Chinese rulers, settled in Central Asia
- belonged to Yuechi Tribe
- during tenure of Kujul Kadhpises and Vima Kapdphises, silver coins were released
- on observe side → image of Kushan King
- reverse side → free standing image w/ trident & bull
- indicative of worship of Lord Shiva
Kanishka
- most imp branch, arrived 78AD
- Kanishka defeated Kashmir branch of the Sakas & to celebrate he initiated Saka Samvat in 78AD
- adopted as calendar of GoI
- persuaded by practitioner of Buddhist faith
- ⟹ convened 4th Buddhist Council in Kundalvan Kashmir in 78AD
- outcome: division of Buddhism into 2 formal sects
- under guidance of Ashvaghosh, Kanishka accepted Mahayana faith
- he also started patronizing art & architecture
- Gandhara & Mathura school of Art deveolped during this tenure
- also noted for urbanization in North West India. major centres were
- Purushpur (Peshawar)
- Kanishkapur (Jammu)
- Huvishkapur (Udhampur)
- Mathura
- huge monetization at this time
- released purest of the purest quality gold coins
- used silk route to trade w/ chinese & romans