Gandhara Civilization

About Gandhara Civilization

The Gandhara Civilization was situated in today’s Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, lasting from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE to the start of the 2nd millennium CE. Many empires had control over this area in that time, but all shared a deep respect for Buddhism and the Indo Greek artistic style which was established after Alexander’s incursions into India.

Famous Cities

Famous cities of Gandhara include Takshasila (Taxila), Purushapura (Peshawar) and Pushkalavati (Mardan), where archaeological finds can still be observed today.

Taxila Archeological Sites >

Meaning of Gandhara

Gandhara’s name could have multiple interpretations, but the most popular theory links it to the words Qand/Gand, meaning “fragrance,” and Har, meaning “land.” So, if you simplify it, Gandhara is the “Land of Fragrance”!

Taxila Archeological Sites >

Political History

Gandhara was ruled by several major powers throughout history, including:

  • Persian Achaemenid Empire (c. 600-400 BCE)
  • Greeks of Macedon (c. 326-324 BCE)
  • Mauryan Empire of Northern India (c. 324-185 BCE)
  • Indo-Greeks of Bactria (c. 250-190 BCE)
  • Scythians of Eastern Europe (c. 2nd century to 1st century BCE)
  • Parthian Empire (c. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE)
  • Kushans of Central Asia (c. 1st to 5th century CE)
  • White Huns of Central Asia (c. 5th century CE)
  • Hindu Shahi of Northern India (c. 9th to 10th century CE)
  • Next, during the medieval period of Indian history, the Muslims conquered the area.

Taxila Archeological Sites >

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Thank You

For Your Visit at Taxila Museum