The Indo-Greeks were on decline & the grounds were fertile for yet another invasion of #India. This time it was the Yuezhi tribe of Gansu from #China. They established the #KushanEmpire.

This #thread is about Kushans & how they became Indianised, unlike later Islam!c invaders.

The Kushans started to establish themselves as a major power around 30 CE with Kujula Kadphises forming a confederacy of various tribes from China.

They adopted Greek as their court language, which was soon replaced by Bactrian, the popular local language.

They also adopted #Buddhism & #Hinduism as their religion. They issued coins with Hindu Gods like Shiva with a trishul & Buddha in Abhaya mudra.

This was unlike the later Islam!c invasions where the invaders would try to obliterate local languages and religions.

The Kushans were heavily influenced by the prevalent Greek culture, especially in sculpture. The Kushans expanded their territories & ruled with two capitals, one in Gandhara & one in Mathura. This also established the Gandhara & Mathura School of Kushan arts.

Kushans also introduced the first human form of Buddha who was previously depicted with symbols like a throne, a wheel or a peepal leaf.

They patronised trade & sent Buddhist monks to #Tibet, #China, #Korea & #Japan. Lokaksema went to China & translated Buddhist texts in Chinese