Kushan Mystique

David Jongeward's Kushan Mystique explores the rich yet overlooked history of the Kushan Empire through personal anecdotes and scholarly insights.

In Kushan Mystique, David Jongeward delves into the enigmatic history of the Kushan Empire, a powerful yet often overlooked civilization of ancient Central Asia. Through a personal narrative that resembles a travel memoir, he shares his journey of discovery, highlighting the fascinating individuals he met along the way. The book addresses crucial questions about the Kushan, such as who they were and why their significant impact on history is frequently absent from mainstream accounts.

The narrative begins in a serene lakeside cottage in northern California, where an unexpected friendship with an eccentric country doctor sparks Jongeward's interest in Kushan coinage and the exquisite Buddhist sculptures of ancient Gandhara. As he embarks on his research, he engages with a diverse group of specialists, including coin collectors, museum curators, and historians, all of whom share a passion for the Kushan mystique. Their insights and stories enrich the author’s exploration of this ancient civilization.

Kushan Mystique not only brings to light the rewarding findings from Jongeward's extensive museum-based research, but it also captures the thrill of his visits to lesser-known archaeological sites in Pakistan. These sites, dating back to the Kushan era, reveal the depth of the empire's influence and artistry, offering readers a unique perspective on a pivotal yet obscure chapter in history.