Kushan Empire

Kushan Empire was an empire in Afghanistan and the northwest (South Asia) that lasted from c. 30 to 375 CE, about 345 years. Its people spoke Iranian languages (Median, Persian, Parthian, Scythian, Sogdian, Pashto, Kurdish).

Kujula Kadphises united the Yuezhi clans and his heirs ruled from the Oxus to the Ganges. Under Kanishka it sat at the hub of Silk Road trade and spread Mahayana Buddhism and Gandharan art. Sasanian Persia and the Guptas broke it up.

See Kushan Empire on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 30 to 375 CE

Duration

345 years

Type

Empire

Region

Afghanistan and the northwest, South Asia

Language family

Iranian

Capital

Purushapura (Peshawar), Kapisa, Mathura

Came from

• Yuezhi in Bactria c. 130 BCE to 30 CE

Became

• Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom c. 230 to 365 CE

Events in South Asia during its time

• 127 Kanishka becomes Kushan emperor

Neighbours in South Asia

• Gupta Empire c. 320 to 550 CE
• Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BCE to 1017 CE
• Pallava dynasty c. 275 to 897 CE
• Western Satraps c. 35 to 415 CE
• Satavahana dynasty c. 100 BCE to 220 CE
• Vakataka dynasty c. 250 to 500 CE
• Kamarupa c. 350 to 1140 CE
• Western Ganga dynasty c. 350 to 1000 CE
• Early Cholas c. 300 BCE to 300 CE
• Early Cheras c. 300 BCE to 300 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE, Middle East
• Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
• Roman Empire 27 BCE to 395 CE, Europe
• Xiongnu Empire c. 209 BCE to 93 CE, Central and North Asia
• Eastern Han 25 to 220 CE, East Asia
• Hunnic Empire c. 370 to 469 CE, Europe

Questions