A Central Asian dynasty (the Kushanas, a branch of the Yuezhi) that ruled over a vast empire across Central Asia and north-western India in roughly the 1st to 3rd centuries CE, reaching its height under Kanishka.
- The dynasty was founded by Kujula Kadphises; its greatest ruler was Kanishka I, conventionally dated to have begun the Saka era in 78 CE.
- Kanishka's empire stretched from Central Asia to the Gangetic plain, with capitals at Purushapura (Peshawar) and Mathura.
- A great patron of Buddhism, Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council in Kashmir, which is linked to the rise of Mahayana Buddhism and the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Route.
- The Kushanas issued large quantities of gold coins and patronised the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art, which produced early Buddha images.
- Scholars such as Ashvaghosha (author of the Buddhacharita), the physician Charaka, and Nagarjuna are traditionally associated with Kanishka's age.
Kanishka, the Saka era of 78 CE, the fourth Buddhist council, the patronage of Gandhara and Mathura art, and the gold coinage are standard post-Mauryan facts.
The Saka era (78 CE) is associated with Kanishka, while the Vikrama era (58 BCE) is associated with a different tradition; the fourth Buddhist council under Kanishka is distinct from the third council under Ashoka.
Central Asian dynasty peaking under Kanishka (Saka era 78 CE); fourth Buddhist council, Mahayana growth, gold coins, and Gandhara and Mathura art.