After defeating the Greeks in 53 BC, the Parthians ruled the northern Pakistan area. During their era of trade and economic prosperity, the Parthians promoted art and religion. The Gandhara school of art developed, which reflected the glory of Greek, Syrian, Persian and Indian art traditions.

The Kushana king, Kujula, ruler of nomad tribes from Central Asia, overthrew the Parthians in 64 AD and took over Gandhara. The Kushans further extended their rule into northwest India and Bay of Bengal, south into Bahawalpur and short of Gujrat, and north till Kashghar and Yarkand, into the Chinese frontier.

They made their winter capital at Purushapura, the City of Flowers, now called Peshawar, and their summer capital north of Kabul.

	Kanishka's Relic Casket, Peshawar Museum

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