AD 1-320

From the 1st to the 4th century AD much of central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India was dominated by the Kushāns, part of a confederacy of nomadic people from Central Asia. They controlled the ‘silk-road’, a networl of trade routes which linked Rome and Han China – the other great powers of the day. The main centres of the Kushāns were Mathurā, in northern India, and Balkh, in Afghanistan.

The Kushāns took control of the Greek kingdoms of Afghanistan in the 1st century. Under the leadership of Kujula Kadphises (about 40-90), they defeated the Scythians and conquered Kashmir and the Punjab. In the time of Kanishka I (about 127-151) the kingdom was extended to eastern India.

The western and southern parts of India were ruled by the Satavāhanas. They are associated with a number of sites, the most important being Paithan on the River Godavari. In the late 1st century AD under King Pulumavi the Satavāhanas expanded eastwards, conquering the Andhra country. Buddhism flourished before and during Satavāhana rule in Andhra. A large number of stūpas and monasteries were built, the most celebrated being Amarāvatī, located near the ancient city of Dharanikota. Sea trade from Dharanikota connected Andhra to Sri Lanka and south-east Asia.