Kuṣāṇa

A dynasty established in north-west and central India by people of Turkic origin who had earlier migrated from the Chinese borders of central Asia. At its peak under Kaniṣka I, the Kuṣāṇa territory extended from present-day Afghanistan as far east as Magadha, but the empire was short-lived and disintegrated by the end of the 3rd century ce. The Kuṣāṇas were devout adherents of Buddhism and were instrumental in supporting its growth throughout India and its transmission to many parts of central Asia.