Question

Kanishka belonged to__________
A.Kushan dynasty
B.Gupta dynasty
C.Mauryan dynasty
D.Vardhana dynasty

Answer 1

Hint: Kanishka was an emperor in history who is known for his political, spiritual and military achievements. He ruled the northern part of Indian subcontinent.

Complete Step by Step answer: Kanishka is remembered for his contributions towards Buddhism. He was a great ruler of the Kushan dynasty during the 2nd century. The day Kanishka took to his throne, that day is called the beginning of the Saka calendar era.
Kanishka was known for his patronage towards Mahayana Buddhism. Kanishka had great regrets for his past. For this the philosopher Asvaghosha helped him to convert into Buddhism. The Mahayana sect of Buddhism believes in the main scriptures and the early teachings of Buddhism. Kanishka helped in preaching Buddhism from across the Karakoram range to China. He also developed the Silk road. As the head of the Buddhist Council,he also organised the fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir in which Buddhist scriptures were translated from Prakrit to Sanskrit.
Kanishka‘s greatest contribution towards Buddhism is the construction of Kanishka stupa in Peshawar. He embraced both the Gandhara school Buddhist architecture that worked with Greek styles as well as the Mathura school.

Hence, Option A is the correct answer.

Note: Kanishka was often regarded as Ashoka who ruled 400 years earlier , this was so because of his benevolent nature. He was very kind to his people and they regarded him with great respect. The Saka calendar which marks the beginning of kanishka’s rule, was taken up as the Indian National calendar in 1957. Kanishka was a very liberal emperor and his rule opened up new doors for the Indian civilization. While answering the question, remember Ashoka belonged to the Mauryan empire and Kanishka was the emperor of the Kushan dynasty.