Which Chinese General Defeated Kanishka?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
The Chinese General who defeated Kanishka was Pen Chao (also known as Ban Chao). Kanishka was the ruler of the Kushana dynasty. According to Hou Hanshu (a later Han dynasty literature), Pen Chao fought with over 7000 Kushan army warriors near Khotan. Kanishka valued the provinces of Khotan, Kashgar, and Yarkand in particular because they gave him unrestricted access to the Silk Road.
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Chinese General that defeated Kanishka
Under the rule of Kanishka (r. 127–150 CE), an emperor of the Kushan dynasty, the empire attained its pinnacle. He is well-known for his accomplishments in the military, politics, and religion.
- Kanishka, a descendant of Kujula Kadphises, the creator of the Kushan empire, ruled an empire that spanned Central Asia, the Gandhara, and the Gangetic plain to Pataliputra.
- His empire had two major capitals: Puruapura, or Peshawar, in Gandhara, and Mathura, or another important capital.
- In Tripuri, Kanishka coins were discovered (present-day Jabalpur).
- The Chinese general Pen Chao, also known as Ban Chao, successfully overpowered Kanishka.
- According to the Later Han Dynasty book Hou Hanshu, general Ban Chao engaged in combat with a 70,000-man Kushan army close to Khotan.
Kanishka and Kushan Dynasty
Kanishka ruled the Kushan dynasty around the 2nd century (127-150 A.D) and made it reach its peak. Emperor Kanishka is famous for his spiritual, military, and political achievements. Championing Mahayana Buddhism was one of the greatest contributions to history. He converted himself to Buddhism and encouraged the spread of philosophy through his tenure in his kingdom.
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