Download cultural achievements of kushans

CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF KUSHANS
Progress of Literature:
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Great patrons of learning and literature
Many scholars of Sanskrit language were patronized
Kushans – foreigners >> made sanskrit as state language
Created congenial atmosphere of royal patronage for the production of Sanskrit literature
Inscription also written in Sanskrit
Ashvagosha: Pioneer of literary awakening– greatest scholar of time of Kanishka >> well versed
in philosophy, music, literature, religion and debate :: owing to his versatile abilities 4 th
Buddhist council was held in Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka
Books of Ashvagosha – Buddhacharitha, Saundaranand, Sariputra Prakarana, Vajrasuchi
Buddhacharitha – imp poetic composition of Buddhism
Nagarjuna:
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Great scholar and philosopher
Known as the best exponent of “Mahayanism” or new theory of Buddhism
Book – “Prajna Parmita Sutra” >> unique book on philosophy and science
Explained “Theory of relativity”: called as “Indian Einstein”
Vasumitra:
Vasumitra – Buddhist theologist
Kanishka convened the 4th buddhist council under the presidentship of Vasumitra
Compiled “Mahavibhasa Shastra” – valuable book on Buddhist philosophy
Charak:
 Charak – reputed royal physician in the court of Kanishka
 Celebrated author of Ayurvedic science
 Book – “Charak samhitha”: unique work on Ayurvedic science
Religion:
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Followed the policy of religious toleration
People attained religious freedom
Embrace any religion according to their own will
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Kanishka embraced Buddhism > gave royal patronage to “Mahayana Buddhism”
Never compelled anybody to follow any particular sect
Most important event – Birth of Mahayanism >> Remarkable change in the fundamental
principles of Buddhism
People made statues of Buddha and worshipped him as God
Buddhism spread to foreign countries – China, Tibet, Japan, Central Asia
Kushan period – Era of religious awakening
Remarkable progress in the domain of religion
Development of Art:
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Great patrons of Art
Kanishka – keen interest in the art of architecture
Laid foundations of the towns – Purushpur, Kanishkapur
Beautiful buildings and viharas
Alberuni – very much influenced to see the vihara
Stupas and Viharas were built by Kushan rulers in a large number >> supported by Hieun Tsang
The Gandhara School of Sculpture:
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Most significant feature of Kushan period
Main centre of Art – territory of Gandhara :: NW frontier >> called as Gandhara school of art
Mahayanism >> responsible for the growth of this art
Main theme of Gandhara Art – Mahayanism
Gandhara art – lively commentary on the life and deeds of Lord Buddha
Other Contributions:
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The great tower at Peshawar 400 ft high was chiefly made of wood and constructed under the
supervision of a Greek engineer Agesilaos
Kanishka built a tower near Taxila
Images of Bodhisattvas began to be erected in Gandhara style
At Mathura, we have a headless image of Kanishka in which he is represented in the uniform of
a warrior