Question

Arrange a debate in the classroom on the cultural contribution of Indo-Greeks Sakas and Kushanas.

Answer 1

• Indo-Greeks:

1. Indo-Greek rulers introduced a die system and produced properly shaped coins with inscriptions, symbols, and engraved figures on Indo-greeks.
2. Indians learned this art from Indo-greeks.
3. The Gandhara school of Indian art is heavily indebted to Greek influence.
4. The Greeks were good cave builders. The Mahayana Buddhists learned the art of carving out caves from them and became skilled in rock-cut architecture.

• Sakas:

1. Rudradaman’s Junagadh/Gimar inscription was the first inscription in chaste Sanskrit.
2. In India, the Sakas were assimilated into Indian society.
3. They began to adopt Indian names and practice Indian religious beliefs.

• Kushanas:

1. Kanishka was a great patron of art and literature. His court was adorned with a number of Buddhist saints and scholars, like Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, and Nagarjuna.
2. He founded the town of Kanishkapura in Kashmir and furnished the capital of Puiushapura with magnificent public buildings.
3. The Gandhara school of art flourished during this time.
4. The most favorite subject of the Gandhara artists was the carving of sculptures of Buddha.
5. Buddhist learning and culture were taken to China and Mongolia from Takshashila.
6. The great Asiatic culture mingled with Indian Buddhist culture during the Kushana time.