Kanishka’s Coins
Kanishka’s coins feature images of gods from various cultures, including those from India, Greece, Iran, and ancient Sumer and Elam, indicating his embrace of diverse religious beliefs.
- Initially, during the early years of his reign, Kanishka’s coins bore Greek inscriptions and depicted Greek deities.
- As time passed, the inscriptions switched to Bactrian, the language of the Kushans, and showcased Iranian gods instead of Greek ones.
- On these coins, Kanishka is depicted as a bearded man wearing a long coat and trousers that gather at the ankles, with flames emanating from his shoulders.
- He is adorned with large rounded boots, and he carries a long sword and a lance, often depicted performing religious rituals.
- A significant limestone relief of Kanishka, dressed similarly, was housed in the Kabul Museum until its destruction by the Taliban.
The Kanishka (127 CE – 150 CE)Who Broke Kanishka’s Head?
Kanishka (127–150 CE) was the most influential leader of the Kushan dynasty. He is considered the greatest Kushan king who was known for his military, political, and religious factors. Kanishka is known for expanding the great Kushan empire. His invasion and support of Buddhism played a significant role in spreading this particular religion to China, Central Asia, and Japan.
In this article, we are going to discuss the most powerful ruler of the Kushana dynasty in detail.
Table of Content
- Overview on Kanishka
- Who was Kanishka?
- Kanishka Empire
- Kanishka’s Conquests
- Kanishka’s Coins
- Kanishka and Buddhism
- Kanishka Stupa