Mod 2: Kanishka — the Raid on Pataliputra, Ashvaghosha and the Alms-Bowl, the Fourth Buddhist Council and the Saka Era Debate
Concept
12.3 Kanishka and Pataliputra
🏫 School level · NCERT Class 6–12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
Empire, Buddhism and the Bihar raid
Kanishka was the greatest Kushana king. His capitals were Purushapura (Peshawar) and Mathura. His empire stretched from Bactria and Kashmir to the middle Ganga valley. Buddhist tradition (Chinese and Tibetan texts) says he attacked Pataliputra and, as the price of peace, took away the great Buddhist poet Ashvaghosha and the Buddha’s alms-bowl (and in some versions a wonderful cock).
| Theme | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capitals | Purushapura (Peshawar); Mathura as second capital |
| Religion | Patron of Buddhism (Mahayana grew); coins show Greek, Iranian, Indian gods and the Buddha (“BODDO”) |
| Fourth Buddhist Council | In Kashmir (Kundalavana); president Vasumitra, vice-president Ashvaghosha; Sarvastivada commentaries (Mahavibhasha) |
| Court | Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Parshva; physician Charaka (tradition) |
| Monuments | Great stupa at Peshawar (Shah-ji-ki-Dheri; “Kanishka casket”); headless statue of Kanishka at Mat, Mathura |
- Kanishka: capitals Purushapura & Mathura; raid on Pataliputra — Ashvaghosha + alms-bowl.
- Fourth Council, Kashmir: Vasumitra (pres.), Ashvaghosha (vice); Mahavibhasha.
- Question: Where was Kanishka’s main capital? Answer: Purushapura (Peshawar).
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: Which celebrated Buddhist philosopher did Kushan Emperor Kanishka take with him from Pataliputra to his capital Purushapura?
[School] Kanishka belonged to the:
[BPSC level] Kanishka’s main capital was:
[BPSC level] The Fourth Buddhist Council was presided over by:
[BSSC pattern] The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in:
[UPSC level] The commentary compiled at the Fourth Council for the Sarvastivada school is the:
[UPSC level] Kanishka’s gold coins showing the Buddha label him as:
[BPSC level] A headless statue of Kanishka was found at Mat near:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Where was Kanishka’s main capital?
Purushapura (Peshawar).Concept
12.4 The Saka era of 78 CE
🏫 School level · NCERT Class 6–12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
A textbook date and a modern debate
The Saka era begins in 78 CE. Older books say it started with Kanishka’s accession. India’s National Calendar (adopted on 22 March 1957) is based on the Saka era.
- The Rabatak inscription shows Kanishka started his own era.
- Harry Falk (2001), using an astronomical text (Yavanajataka) and Kushana dates, placed Kanishka’s year 1 in about 127 CE. Most historians now accept c. 127 CE.
- So the 78 CE Saka era is now usually linked with the Shaka rulers of western India (the Western Kshatrapas) rather than Kanishka.
- For exams: if the question says “Saka era began in” → 78 CE; if it asks whom textbooks link it with → Kanishka.
| Era | Starts | Linked with |
|---|---|---|
| Vikrama Samvat | 57 BCE | Tradition: Vikramaditya; probably Azes/Malava era |
| Saka era | 78 CE | Kanishka (old view) / Western Kshatrapas |
| Kalachuri-Chedi era | 248 CE | Western India |
| Gupta era | 319/320 CE | Chandragupta I |
- Saka era 78 CE (National Calendar, 22 March 1957); Kanishka’s year 1 now c. 127 CE (Falk).
- Vikrama 57 BCE; Kalachuri 248 CE; Gupta 319/320 CE.
- Question: Which era is India’s national calendar based on? Answer: The Saka era (78 CE).
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 2: In which year did the Saka Era (adopted as India's national calendar) commence?
[BSSC pattern] India’s National Calendar based on the Saka era was adopted on:
[UPSC level] Harry Falk’s research (2001) places Kanishka’s first regnal year at about:
[BPSC level] The Vikrama Samvat begins in:
[UPSC level] Modern scholars increasingly link the 78 CE era with:
[BSSC pattern] The Kalachuri-Chedi era begins in:
[BPSC level] The Gupta era begins in:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Which era is India’s national calendar based on?
The Saka era (78 CE).Concept
🎯 UPSC · BPSC · BSSC · State PSC level: PYQs, traps and mains
| Exam | What it asks from this module |
|---|---|
| UPSC | Kanishka’s date; Fourth Council; coins with Buddha |
| BPSC | Ashvaghosha taken from Pataliputra; Saka era |
| BSSC / SSC | Fourth Council place and president |
The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under: (a) Ashoka (b) Kalashoka (c) Kanishka (d) Ajatashatru
- First — Ajatashatru (Rajagriha); Second — Kalashoka (Vaishali); Third — Ashoka (Pataliputra); Fourth — Kanishka (Kashmir).
- Fourth Council: Vasumitra president, Ashvaghosha vice-president.
- Three of the four Buddhist councils were in Bihar (Rajagriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra); the fourth was in Kashmir.
Model question: Assess Kanishka’s contribution to Indian culture. Points: empire and Silk Road trade; Fourth Council and Mahayana; patronage of Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Charaka; Gandhara and Mathura art; coins with many gods; the Pataliputra raid and Bihar; dating debate (78 vs c. 127 CE).
- Councils: Rajagriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra (Bihar) and Kashmir.
- Question: Who was vice-president of the Fourth Council? Answer: Ashvaghosha.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[BPSC level] Under which king was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?
[UPSC level] How many of the four Buddhist councils were held in present-day Bihar?
[BSSC pattern] The physician Charaka is traditionally linked with the court of:
[BPSC level] Besides Ashvaghosha, Buddhist tradition says Kanishka took from Pataliputra the Buddha’s:
[UPSC level] Which pair of a Buddhist council and its patron is correct?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Who was vice-president of the Fourth Council?
Ashvaghosha.