Kanishka I was a prominent ruler of the Kushan Empire, which flourished in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. He is best known for his military conquests and for expanding the empire across northern India, parts of Afghanistan, and Central Asia. His reign is often associated with the spread of Buddhism, as he was a significant patron of the religion. Under Kanishka I, the Kushan Empire became a center of trade and cultural exchange, facilitating interactions between different cultures and religions. He is also credited with the introduction of the Kushan coinage, which played a crucial role in the economy of the region.