Cultural Achievements Of Kushans 33u5z

CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF KUSHANS Progress of Literature:      

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Great patrons of learning and literature Many scholars of Sanskrit language were patronized Kushans – foreigners >> made sanskrit as state language Created congenial atmosphere of royal patronage for the production of Sanskrit literature Inscription also written in Sanskrit Ashvagosha: Pioneer of literary awakening– greatest scholar of time of Kanishka >> well versed in philosophy, music, literature, religion and debate :: owing to his versatile abilities 4 th Buddhist council was held in Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka Books of Ashvagosha – Buddhacharitha, Saundaranand, Sariputra Prakarana, Vajrasuchi Buddhacharitha – imp poetic composition of Buddhism

Nagarjuna:    

Great scholar and philosopher Known as the best exponent of “Mahayanism” or new theory of Buddhism Book – “Prajna Parmita Sutra” >> unique book on philosophy and science Explained “Theory of relativity”: called as “Indian Einstein”

Vasumitra: Vasumitra – Buddhist theologist Kanishka convened the 4th buddhist council under the presidentship of Vasumitra Compiled “Mahavibhasa Shastra” – valuable book on Buddhist philosophy

Charak:  Charak – reputed royal physician in the court of Kanishka  Celebrated author of Ayurvedic science  Book – “Charak samhitha”: unique work on Ayurvedic science

Religion:   

Followed the policy of religious toleration People attained religious freedom Embrace any religion according to their own will

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Kanishka embraced Buddhism > gave royal patronage to “Mahayana Buddhism” Never compelled anybody to follow any particular sect Most important event – Birth of Mahayanism >> Remarkable change in the fundamental principles of Buddhism People made statues of Buddha and worshipped him as God Buddhism spread to foreign countries – China, Tibet, Japan, Central Asia Kushan period – Era of religious awakening Remarkable progress in the domain of religion

Development of Art:      

Great patrons of Art Kanishka – keen interest in the art of architecture Laid foundations of the towns – Purushpur, Kanishkapur Beautiful buildings and viharas Alberuni – very much influenced to see the vihara Stupas and Viharas were built by Kushan rulers in a large number >> ed by Hieun Tsang

The Gandhara School of Sculpture:     

Most significant feature of Kushan period Main centre of Art – territory of Gandhara :: NW frontier >> called as Gandhara school of art Mahayanism >> responsible for the growth of this art Main theme of Gandhara Art – Mahayanism Gandhara art – lively commentary on the life and deeds of Lord Buddha

Other Contributions:    

The great tower at Peshawar 400 ft high was chiefly made of wood and constructed under the supervision of a Greek engineer Agesilaos Kanishka built a tower near Taxila Images of Bodhisattvas began to be erected in Gandhara style At Mathura, we have a headless image of Kanishka in which he is represented in the uniform of a warrior