Kanishka was an emperor of the Kushan dynasty in the second century (c. 127–150 CE). Kanishka was the descendant of Kujula Kadphises – (founder of the Kushan empire) . Kanishka came to rule an empire in Bactria extending from Turfan in the Tarim Basin to Pataliputra on the Gangetic plain. The main capital of his empire was located at Puruṣapura in Gandhara. Kanishka I is called Kanishka the Great. He is famous for his military, political, and spiritual achievements. His major contributions are:
1) Kaniska added many territories to his kingdom by his conquests. Kushana empire included Afghanistan, a large part of Sindh, the Punjab portions of Parthia and Bactria.
2) Kaniska occupied many interior parts of the Gangetic valley and occupied Magadha.
3) Kaniska came in contact with the great Buddhist monk Asvaghosha and followed Buddhism.
4) He was a true representative of the liberal spirit of the Indian culture.
5) It was during his time the Sanskrit language dealt with both religious and non-religious subjects
6) Asvaghosa (who wrote Buddhacharita which is considered as the epic of Buddhism) was the most illustrious figure of his court.
7) During the reign of Kaniska trade and commerce grew encouragingly.
8) Kanisha was a military genius, and thus he proved himself to be an invincible conqueror.
9) The Gandhara School of Art represented a mixed culture, and it was the manifestation of Kanishka
