Kushan+period+c.+100-300+CE

**Images of Kushan Royalty**
At the time of the Kushan period Roman trade with Asia was at a high point. The region occupied by the Kushan Empire became wealthy by taxing the flow of goods along the Silk Road between China and Rome. During this period, the emperor Kanishka was the second major ruler to support Buddhism. During the Kushan period, gold coins were struck in imitation of the Roman //denarii// exchanged along trade routes. Imagery of the ruler Kanishka and the Buddha can be seen in an example of this coinage. It is remarkable because it is some of the first representative imagery of the Buddha seen in Indian art. In this coin, the image of the Buddha appears to be clutching his robe in one hand and performing the abhaya mudra gesture with the other hand, which is the gesture granting the absence of fear. This sort of pose is also seen in the Gandhara and Mathura styles of Buddhist sculpture.

During this period, two distinct styles developed in the Northern and Southern capitals. The Gandhara style, which emerged in the Northern area of Afghanistan and Pakistan, was highly influenced by Hellenistic and Greco-Roman sculpture. The Mathura style, developed in the South, shows evidence of greater Asian influence. Imagery of the Buddha or of Bodhisattvas were prevalent in both styles.


 * [[image:KanishkaI.jpg]] ||
 * Gold coin of Kushan emperor Kanishka and representation of the Buddha (c. 100 - 125 C.E.) - http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/LX/GrecoBuddhism.html ||

**"Gandhara" style Buddhist images**
The Ghandara Style of Buddhist sculpture typically was carved from schist, a hard grey stone which can hold up to great amounts of carving and manipulation as well as hold fine detail. Some common characteristics of Buddhist sculpture in the Gandhara style are the naturalistic, muscular figures with contraposto poses, downward glancing eyes, facial hair, and simplified halos. The figures are typically more covered by their garments than is seen in the Mathura style.

**"Mathura" style Buddhist Images**
The Mathura style of Buddhist sculpture is characterized by a more stylized and abstracted form, typically with a more geometric patterning in the folds of the robes. On the Buddha’s or Bodhisattvas’ faces, the eyes are usually wide open and looking outward with smirking expressions. The bodies of these figures are soft or fleshy in appearance. Poses are more static, but it is still typical for the Buddha figure to be clutching his robes in one hand and performing //abhaya// mudra in the other. The material commonly used for these sculptures is a red sand stone, which has a softer quality than the schist stone seen in the Ghandara style.


 * [[image:mathurabuddha001.jpg]] ||
 * Seated Buddha. Mathura, (2nd Century C.E.) - http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2420/stories/20071019505206400.htm ||

**References**
Gold coin of Kushan. Retreived September 28, 2008 from Hellenica Website: http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/LX/GrecoBuddhism.html,

Seated Buddha. Retreived September 28, 2008 from Frontline Website: [|http://www.hi]