The Economic Situation of Kushan Empire and the Affecting Factors Around it

While Kushan Empire, and in general, Central Asia is going to be studied historically, recognition of its economic situation gets a high level of importance. Therefore, their trade and commerce, agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts and their income of Buddhist temples were selected as the main components to identify the economic situation of Kushans. Despite the fundamental role these components played in prosperity of Kushans' economy, they have been paid less attention by the researchers. The present study is to analyze the Kushans' economic activities, especially their commercial activities and the factors affected them. So, by examining the causes of their economic improvement and the ways they used to get such prosperity, the role of each of above mentioned components have been analyzed. The results show that the foreign trade of Kushans with countries such as China, India, Iran and Greece, all on the Silk Road, should be considered as the most important factor affecting their economic prosperity. It was also found that, although the geographic territory of the empire had provided it the necessary facilities for progress economically, but what made the exploitation of environmental facilities and achievement of a prosperous economy possible was the approach of Kushan Emperors in adopting effective policies and providing security.