SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The history of Kushan dynasty is often neglected as throwing little light on the cultural history of India and, this being so, attention has so far been paid only to the problems connected with the chronology of the Kushan kings and with the origin of the Buddha figure. For the first time an attempt is made here to draw a picture of the cultural progress made, as a whole, in the Kushan period, by utilising all available literary and archaeological data. Chapter I - The first chapter deals with the geographical features of the area over which the Yue-chi and the Kushans ruled. The various overland routes passed through this area have, also, been fully discussed. Chapter II - The second chapter deals with the problems connected with chronology and the date of the Kushan Kings, as well as the political history of the dynasty. Chapter III - In the third chapter the adminstrative system of the Kushana together with the Kushan idea of divine kingship have bean disouased. Chapter IV - The fourth chapter deals with Kushan commercial relations with China, Home and the Indian peninsula. The overland and the maritime trade and the craft and trade guild organisations have been studied in detail. Chapter V. - The fifth chapter deals with contemporary Buddhism, Jainism, Saivism and other religious natter. Lists of the deities, found on the Kushan coin, are given, Attempts are, also, made to study the social conditions concerning caste, the position of women, costume, musical Instruments, education and learning. Chapter VI - In sixth chapter Kushan art and culture, as manifested in Gandharan and Mathura sculpture, pottery and terracottas, have been studied. A short review of the important archaeological sites has also, been given. Four maps, showing the geographical features of the area concerned, are supplied. A number of plates are, also, attached in order to illustrate the types of pottery, sculpture and coins.