GANDHARA CIVILIZATION

HISTORY & CIVILIZATION

INTRODUCTION

Gandhara means land of water and fragrance

Lasted from the 6th century BC to the 11th century
AD
Today compromises most of the north west
Pakistan(Peshawar, Mardan, Sawat< Dir,
Malakand, Bajauar in NWFP, Taxila), up to
Jalalabad in Afghanistan and whole southeast belt
of afghanistan
Main cities
a. Taxila
b. Peshawar
c. Pushkalawati (Charsada near peshawar)
LANGUAGES
(500 BC to 10 AD)

Main language:
Gandhari: A Prakrit language closely related to
Sanskrit, Pali, and other Middle Indo-Aryan
languages
Kharosthi: The script used to write Gandhari. It
was derived from the Aramaic script and was
adapted for use with Indian languages.
Other languages
Sanskrit
Greek
Aramaic
Local dialects
HISTORY
(500 BC to 10 AD)

Persian Achaemenid Empire (600-400 BCE)

Greeks of Macedon (326-324 BCE)
Mauryan Empire of Northern India (324-185 BCE)
Indo-Greeks of Bactria (250-190 BCE)
Scythians of Eastern Europe (2nd century to 1st
century BCE)
Parthian Empire (1st century BCE to 1st century
CE)
Kushans of Central Asia (1st to 5th century CE)
White Huns of Central Asia (5th century CE)
Hindu Shahi of Northern India (9th to 10th century
CE)
THE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE
(600-400 BCE)

The Achaemenid Empire, under Cyrus the Great

(550-330 BCE), conquered Gandhara in the 6th
century BCE.
Gandhara became a satrapy (province) within the
vast Achaemenid Empire
It brought stability and expands trade networks.
Gandhara's position on the Silk Road made it a
major hub for trade between East and West.
This facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and
artistic styles, contributing to the development of
the unique Greco-Buddhist art style that
flourished later.
ALEXANDER AND GREEKS
(326-324 BCE)

In 327 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered

Gandhara, marking the beginning of Greek
influence in the region.
Gandhara became a key hub on the Silk Road,
promoting the exchange of goods, ideas, and
cultures.
This economic prosperity contributed to the
growth of cities and the development of a wealthy
merchant class.
Greek language, literature, and music were
introduced to the region
Gandharan artists incorporated Greek motifs and
techniques into their work
MAURYAN EMPIRE
(324-185 BCE)

In 316 BCE, King Chandragupta took over

Gandhara and made it part of his Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta's son Bindusara and his grandson
Ashoka followed him as rulers
the empire stretched over parts of modern Iran
and almost the entire Indian subcontinent,
Mauryan rule ensured political stability and unity
within the region.
The Grand Trunk Road, built by the Mauryans,
facilitated trade and communication within the
empire
MAURYAN EMPIRE
(324-185 BCE)

Strong support for Buddhism under Ashoka,

leading to its widespread adoption.
Buddhist art and architecture flourished during
this period, with Gandhara becoming a major
center for the production of Buddhist sculptures
and stupas.
Promoted the use of Prakrit languages.
INDO-GREEKS
(250-190 BCE)

In 184 BCE, the Greeks, who were strong in Bactria

(modern North Afghanistan), came back to
Gandhara under King Demetrius
He built a new city called Sirkap on the other side
of the river from Bhir Mound.
Sirkap was planned in a special way, like a grid.
Demetrius' kingdom included Gandhara,
Arachosia (now Kandahar in Afghanistan), Punjab,
and part of the Ganges Valley
It was a multiethnic society, where Greeks,
Indians, Bactrians, and Western Iranians lived
together.
SCYTHO-PARTHIANS
Scythians (2nd century to 1st century BCE),
Parthian Empire (1st century BCE to 1st century CE),

Around 110 BCE, people from Central Asia called

Scythians started taking over Punjab.
They maintained a strong military presence,
influencing the region's political stability.
In the early 1st century CE, the Parthians came
and took control
Maintained strong military presence, influencing
political stability.
Their presence facilitated cultural exchange
between Gandhara and other Central Asian
regions
KUSHAN EMPIRE
(1st to 5th century CE)

Kushans, from Central Asia and Afghanistan, came

to Gandhara, choosing Peshawar as their main
city
They expanded into India, forming the Kushan
Empire, lasting until the 3rd century CE.
Took control of gandhara in 80CE
Rebuilding Taxila (Sirsukh), becoming a key
Buddhist center for pilgrims from Central Asia and
China.
The Kushan rule marked the golden age of
Gandhara art and culture.
Greek philosopher Apollonius of Tyana visited
Taxila, noting its cultural significance.
KUSHAN EMPIRE
(1st to 5th century CE)

Towards the end of Kushan rule, short-lived

dynasties caused political turmoil in Gandhara.
In 241 CE, Sassanians of Persia defeated Gandhara
rulers, annexing the region.
Due to northwest pressure, Gandhara fell to the
Kidarites, also known as Kidar Kushans,
descendants of the Kushans.
The Kushans built magnificent stupas and
monasteries adorned with exquisite sculptures
and reliefs depicting Buddhist stories and figures.
WHITE HUNS
(5th century CE)

The Kidarites ruled Gandhara after the Kushans.

In the 5th century CE, the White
Huns/Hephthalites invaded, causing destruction
and a shift to Hinduism
The Bhuddism and Gandhara culture was already
at an end by this time
Buddhism declined, and constant invasions,
especially Muslim conquests, further eroded the
region's culture
The old cities and important places were
forgotten until British explorers rediscovered
them in the mid-1800s.
GANDHARAN ART & CULTURE
HISTORY & CIVILIZATION
GRECO-BUDDHIST ART

Buddhist art truly flowered and spread under the

Kushan Empire.

Blending of Greek artistic elements with

traditional Buddhist iconography and symbolism.

Stone:
primary material
Various types of stone, such as limestone and
schist, were commonly used.
Stucco:
a mixture of plaster and additives
used for creation of intricate details
GRECO-BUDDHIST ART

Clay and Terracotta:

These materials offered flexibility
Some smaller artifacts and decorative items
were crafted from clay and terracotta
Bronze, gold, silver
STUPAS

The stupa (“stupa” is Sanskrit for heap) is an

important form of Buddhist architecture,
main center of worship
A stupa is a type of religious monument and burial
mound in Buddhism.
Under Ashoka's rule, the widespread construction
of stupas marked his reign, as it is said he
reinterred Buddha's ashes in multiple stupas
across his kingdom.
MONASTRIES

Stupas had the monastery, a structure with its

own fully contained living area for monks.
Structure
Refectory/Service Hall: Upatthana-sala
Kitchen: Aggi-sala
Cloistered Promenade: Chankamana-sala (for
walking/exercise)
Bathroom: Jantaghara next to the central
water tank
Storeroom: Kotthaka
Medical and general storage: Kappiya-kuti
buildings were usually rendered in mud plaster
and this was then painted over either completely
or like in some cases
DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE STUPA

Double-Headed Eagle Stupa: A well-known archaeological site in Sirkap.

Unique motif: Double-headed eagle found on three different types of arches.
Arch styles: Classical Greek, Persian, and Indian.
Cultural mixing: Archaeological evidence for cultural exchange and integration in the region.
COINS OF DEMETRIUS

The clearest examples of Hellenistic art are

found in the coins of the Greco-Bactrian kings
of the period, such as Demetrius of Bactria (the
reign of indo-greeks).
Many coins of the Greco-Bactrian kings have
been unearthed, including the largest silver
and gold coins ever minted in the Hellenistic
world, ranking among the best in artistic and
technical sophistication:
COINS OF DIFFERENT ERAS
A hoard of mostly Mauryan
punch-marked coins
"Bent bar" minted under
Achaemenid administration,
Gandhara, c.350 BC.[11][12]
Athens coin (c. 500/490-485
BC) discovered in Pushkalavati.
This coin is the earliest known
example of its type to be found
so far east.
Punch-marked coin of the Nanda
dynasty of Magadha. The five
symbols on this coin are: Sun
symbol, six-armed (Magadha)
symbol, bull on hilltop, Indradhvaja
flanked by four taurines, elephant.
There's also an unofficial
countermark on the reverse.
STONE PALETTES

Stone palettes, also known as "toilet trays", are

common archaeological finds in the areas of
Bactria and Gandhara.
These round trays typically represent Greek
mythological scenes.
The earliest palettes date back to the Indo-
Greek period (2nd and 1st century BCE).
Production continued under the Indo-
Parthians but ceased after the 1st century CE.
GODS AND BODHISATTVAS

Head of a bodhisattva, "Laughing boy" Triton, greek Triton, greek Gandharan Atalanta,
Gandhara ca. 4th from Hadda god of sea god of sea a heroin in greek
century methadology

The Buddha, flanked by Winged Atalante Fragment of the wind

Herakles/ Vajrapani and Tyche/ god Boreas, Hadda,
Hariti. Afghanistan.
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Gandhara civilization, although no longer a political
entity, continues to resonate with us through its remarkable artistic legacy,
its contributions to cultural exchange, and its enduring influence on
Buddhism. Studying and understanding Gandhara provides a window into
a vibrant and interconnected ancient world, enriching our understanding of
history, art, and religion.
THANKYOU