The Kushan emperor Kanishka, who ruled from the late first to the early/ mid-second century AD was the ____________ Kushan ruler.

The correct answer is third.

Key Points

• Kanishka was the third ruler of the Kushan Empire.
• He succeeded his father, Vima Kadphises, the second ruler of the Kushan Empire.
• Kanishka is known for his military, political, and spiritual achievements.
• His reign is notable for the vast expansion of the Kushan Empire and the promotion of Buddhism.

Additional Information

• Kushan Empire
  • The Kushan Empire was a syncretic empire formed by the Yuezhi in the Bactrian territories in the early 1st century.
  • The empire reached its cultural and economic zenith under Kanishka.
  • It played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and China.
• Kanishka's Contributions
  • Kanishka is remembered for convening the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir around 78 AD.
  • He is credited with the promotion and spread of Mahayana Buddhism.
  • Kanishka's era is considered one of the greatest periods of Buddhist art, literature, and culture.
• Kanishka's Coinage
  • Kanishka's coins depict various deities from different cultures, reflecting the empire's diverse religious influence.
  • His coins are an important source of information about the history and culture of his time.
• Kanishka Stupa
  • Kanishka is attributed with the construction of the Kanishka Stupa in Peshawar, a major center of Buddhist worship.
  • The stupa was described by Chinese pilgrims such as Xuanzang.