Ancient India, Kushan Empire, Vima Takto “Soter Megas” (C.80-C.100 Ce), Tetradrachm(C)

The Kushans, were a Yuezhi nomadic people from Central Asia who came to rule over a vast heterogenic empire that stretched from Uzbekistan to northwest India. They embraced and devloped the Greco-Buddhist traditions of this region. Between c.50 CE and c.250 CE, Buddhism, patronized by the Kushans, extended to China and beyond via the Silk Road. Kushan art and coinage is reflective of the mixture of Greek, Buddhist and Hindu influences that led to the great artistic developments of this period. Chief amongst these innovations is the iconic image of the Buddha and the Bodhisattva in human form.