HISTORY OF THE PERIOD:

     The Kushans were invaders form central Asia who took over the lands of northwest and central India around the year 74 A.D. and reached the peak of the dynasty around the year 150. They then controlled a large area ranging from the Aral Sea through areas that include present-day Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. More importantly the area that I am covering is northern India. Their rule here was as far east as Beneres and as far south as Sanchi. The time brought with it great wealth and an open encouraging of Buddhist thought by the leaders of the time who ruled over the area with a great deal of religious tolerance.
     Since the Kushans had no artistic traditions of their own they brought with them things they had acquired from other nations such as the Classical traditions of Rome. They used an alphabet, which was not unlike the one used in Rome at the time. These traditions were further strengthened because of trade with Rome and other nations. All of the new influences taking place around the people of India helped two distinctive styles to pop up. One appeared in the lower part of the empire and was just southwest of the Indus River in Mathura. This city of Mathura was the capital and most of the works from this area were created from red sandstone and were influenced by indigenous traditions. The other style was dominated by influence form outside sources such as Rome. This style appeared north of the Indus River in Gandhara. These styles eventually mixed with one another forming a distinct style of its own.
     The first King of the Kushan Empire was Kaniska I. He was a patron of the arts and it was under him that Mathura and Gandhara established their styles. The outside influence came very strong form all sides because the Kushan empire was right in the center of trading that was taking place between India and China. The empire was also by ports so this helped them to keep contact with Rome. He was able to establish an era, which lasted for eighty-eight years and spanned form 78-176 although he only ruled for the first 23 years. This next era not far behind was Kaniska II. It was around this time that the first images of Buddha can be traced back to. It is also about the time that bodhisattvas were starting to be depicted.
     It is a very important point that Buddha was now being represented because before this time he was only shown in art as symbols. For instance an empty throne or footprints would symbolize him. The reason for this goes back to the beginning of Buddhism. Buddha was regarded a teacher and therefore there was no reason to worship him. As the religion developed people began to think that salvation could only be attained through worship. In order to worship they would need a being to worship and his how Buddha began being displayed in art in the Kushan period.