The correct option is
2 and 3 only
.Explanation
The Kushanas were a branch of the Yueh-chi tribe from Central Asia who established a vast empire in the Indian subcontinent during the post-Mauryan period. Their rule is significant for the integration of Indian and Central Asian cultures, extensive trade via the Silk Road, and the introduction of large-scale gold coinage.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Kushana empire was not confined to the Kashmir valley. It was a vast empire extending from the Oxus River in Central Asia to the Gangetic plains in India. Their dominion included modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and large parts of northern India, reaching as far east as Varanasi and potentially Pataliputra. Mathura and Purushapura (Peshawar) were their major political centers.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Colossal statues of Kushana rulers have been discovered at a shrine (devakula) at Mat near Mathura. Similar statues have been found in Afghanistan. Historians suggest that this practice of installing royal statues in shrines was intended to project the divine status of kings, who often adopted titles like Devaputra (Son of God).
- Statement 3 is Correct. The Kushanas were the first dynasty in the subcontinent to issue gold coins on a wide scale. These coins were virtually identical in weight to the Roman gold coins (aureus, weighing approximately 8 grams). This standardization was adopted to facilitate international trade along the Silk Road, as the Roman currency was widely accepted in trans-regional commerce.
Key Takeaway:
The Kushana empire was a trans-regional power spanning Central Asia and North India, known for the deification of rulers through statuary and the issuance of high-purity gold coins based on the Roman weight standard.