Wikipedia
Kanishka I (; , Kaneshki; Middle Chinese: 迦腻色伽 (Ka-ni-sak-ka > New Chinese: Jianisejia)), or Kanishka the Great, was the emperor of the Kushan dynasty in the second century (c. AD 127–163). He is famous for his military, political, and spiritual achievements. A descendant of Kushan empire founder Kujula Kadphises, Kanishka came to rule an empire in Bactria extending from Turfan in the Tarim Basin to Pataliputra on the Gangetic plain. The main capital of his empire was located at Puruṣapura in Gandhara, with two other major capitals at Kapisa and Mathura.
His conquests and patronage of Buddhism played an important role in the development of the Silk Road, and the transmission of Mahayana Buddhism from Gandhara across the Karakoram range to China.
Earlier scholars believed that Kanishka ascended the throne in 78 CE, and that this date was used as the beginning of the Saka calendar era. However, this date is not now regarded as the historical date of Kanishka's accession. Kanishka is estimated to have accessed to the throne in AD 127 by Falk (2001).
Kanishka (c. AD 127–163) was the emperor of the Kushan dynasty. Kanishka, Kaniska or Kaniška may also refer to
- Kanishka casket, a Buddhist reliquary dated to the first year of the reign of Kanishka
- Kanishka stupa, established during the 2nd century CE near Peshawar, Pakistan
- Air India Flight 182, named after Emperor Kanishka
- Kaniška Iva, a village in Croatia
- Kaniska canace (blue admiral), a nymphalid butterfly
- Pseudochazara kanishka, a nymphalid butterfly
- Kanishka (name)
Kanishka or Kaniska may refer to
- Kanishka (c. AD 127–163), emperor of the Kushan dynasty
- Kanishka II (c. AD 225–245), emperor of the Kushan dynasty
- Kanishka III (c. AD 268), emperor of the Kushan dynasty
- Kanishka Chaugai (born 1986), Nepalese cricketer
- Kanishka Gupta, literary agent and consultant
- Kaniska Kulasekera (born 1973), Sri Lankan cricketer
- Kanishka Singh (born 1978), Indian politician
- Kanishka Soni (born 1987), Indian actress and model