Q139
History of IndiaMahajanapadas, Buddhism & Jainism
Where was the capital of Kanishka?
- a.Purushpur
- b.Jalandhar
- c.Kashmir
- d.Pataliputra
Answer: (A) Purushpur
Kanishka, the greatest Kushana ruler, had his capital at Purushapura (modern Peshawar), with Mathura as a second capital. His accession was traditionally dated to 78 CE, the start of the Saka era. He convened the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana in Kashmir (some traditions place it at Jalandhar), patronised Mahayana Buddhism, and had Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Vasumitra and the physician Charaka at his court. The Gandhara and Mathura schools of art flourished under him and he controlled part of the Silk Route. Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas.