Why Mathura was an important settlement?

Answer: Following features made Mathura an important settlement:

1. Its location at the cross roads of two major routes of travel and trade — from the northwest to the east and from north to south.
2. Production of some extremely fine sculpture at Mathura
3. Around 2000 years ago Mathura became the second capital of the Kushanas.
4. Several inscriptions on surfaces such as stone slabs and statues found in Mathura.
5. Fortifications around the city, and several shrines.
6. Buddhist monasteries, Jaina shrines made Mathura an important religious centre. It was an important centre for the worship of Krishna.