Kanishka was the greatest ruler of the Kushan dynasty. During his reign, the Kushan power reached its peak. He was a great winner, efficieint administrator and a lover of art. When he came to the power, he had just a small kingdom. But due to his valour, he extended his empire.
He was not only a great warrior and a skilled administrator but also a patron of art and literature. He propagated and nurtured Buddhism. He himself was a Buddhist but he respected other religions too and followed the policy of religious tolerance.
The salient features of his reign are as follows:
1. Kanishka’s administration was based on Kshatrap (or Satrap) system like that of Shakas. Every province was governed by a Kshatrap.
2. Dandnayak and Mahadandnayak ranks were the important parts of Kushan administration.
3. Kaniska established Kanishkapur, Purushpur, Sirmukh, Aradi nagar etc. and got many stupas and viharas constructed.
4. He patronized Mahayana Buddhism and sent the monks to Central Asia, China, Tibet and Japan for propagation of Buddhism.
5. He organised the fourth Buddhist council in Kashmir at Kundalvan. The council was presided over by Vasumitra. In this council, Buddhism was divided into two branches Hinayana and Mahayana.
6. During his reign, domestic and foreign trade made excellent progress.
7. During his reign, India traded with Greek, China, Burma, Java, Sumatra Champa etc. South – East Asian countries too were India’s trade partners.
8. He issued large number of gold coins.Due to currency and trade, several cities of India developed.
9. During his rule, art, literature and science made great progress.
10.During his reign, three important sculpture styles developed – Mathura, Amravati and Gandhar.
11.New theories were discovered in astrology.
12.He started a new Samvat in 78 BC which is called Shak Samvat. Hence Kanishka was a great king. During his rule, progress was made in all fields – art, literature, science, technology, religion etc.
