Gandhara Civilization

Gandhara Civilization

1. Gandhara Civilization Anum Khan Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Qau [email protected]

2. Content Introduction Meaning of Word Gandhara Extent of Gandhara Political History of Gandhara Gandhara Art Architecture of Stupa Stupa Construction Archeological Sites

3. Gandhara was the name given to the land and its associated civilization that existed in what is now Northern Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan . Located mainly in the valley of Peshawar, the potohar plateau and on the kabul river. F rom the mid 1st millenium BCE to the beginning of the 2nd millenium CE Its main cities were Purushapura , Takshashila and Pushkalavati which are now known as Peshawar, Taxila and Charsadda respectively. Introduction

4. Gandhara is amalgamation of two words Gand+Hara . Gand / Qand which means "fragrance" and Har means 'lands' hence the simplest definition being 'Land of Fragrance'. Meaning of word Gandhara

5. Extent of Gandhara Although Gandhara has been historically known since the  Achaemenian Empire   It has been speculated that Ganhara was a triangular tract of land about 100 kilometers east to west and 70 km north to south, lying mainly to the west of the Indus River and bounded on the north by the Hindukush Mountains. (1 li = 500 meters or 1640 feet ). The extent of Gandhara included the Peshawar valley, the hills of Swat, Dir , Buner and Bajaur , all of which lie within the northern bounds of the modern day nation of Pakistan. However the bounds of Greater Gandhara extended towards the Kabul Valley in Afghanistan and the Potwar plateau in the province of Punjab in Pakistan, in close proximity to the capital city of Islamabad, and bounded off by the location of the grand Mankiyala   Stupa  on the outskirts of the capital.

6. The map shows the core region of Gandhara extending from Jalalabad to the West towards Taxila in the East, with Peshawar at its center and Swat in the North. M ap shows the core region of Gandhara extending from Jalalabad to the West towards Taxila in the East, with Peshawar at its center and Swat in the North.

7. POLITICAL HISTORY OF GANDHARA Gandhara witnessed the rule of several major powers of antiquity as listed here: Achaemenids (600-400 BCE) Greeks (326-324 BCE), Mauryans (324-185 BCE), Indo-Greeks (250-190 BCE), Scythians (2nd century to 1st century BCE), Parthians (1st century BC to 1st century CE), Kushans (1st to 5th century CE), White Huns (5th century CE) Hindu Shahi (9th to 10th century CE).

8. The beginnings of Gandharan artistic tradition can be traced to the 1st century BCE included painting, sculpture, coins, pottery and all the associated elements of an artistic tradition . It really took flight during the Kushan era and especially that of the King Kanishka during the 1st Century CE who deified the Buddha for the first time introduced the Buddha image which went on to become so prolific as to define the entire Gandharan culture Thousands of these images were produced and were scattered across every nook and cranny of the region ranging from minute hand held buddhas to giant monumental statues put in place in the most sacred worship sites . GANDHARA Art

9. GANDHARA Art Indeed it was during Kanishka's time that Buddhism saw its second revival after Asoka. The life story of the Buddha became the staple subject matter for any and all aspects of Gandharan art, and heap of Buddha images ensrhined in chapels, stupas and monasteries continue to be found in great number to this day . Here are some panels depicting Story of Buddha.

10. Dream of Maya

11. Birth of Buddha

12. Miracles at Sravasti

13. Mahaparinirvana of Buddha

14. GANDHARAN ARCHITECTURE Architecture of Buddhist Complex includes: Main Stupa Votive Stupas Chapels Monastery Area compromised of Refrectory /Service Hall Kitchen Cloistered Promenade (for walking/exercise) Bathroom Store room Medical and general storage

15. Architecture of Stupa 2D Plan of Bhamala Stupa

16. According to Buddhist text Flight of steps: first of all a gradual flight of steps is made. Base: Base provides a Support to the Structure. Drum: structure that supports dome is drum which is added on base. Dome: it is added on Drum. Harmika : is added to dome which is exerted for enshrining relics of Buddha. Then axial pole is added to the dome. Umbrellas or chatris : are added to the pole these were usually seven or thirteen in number. Stupa Construction

17. 2D Plan of Bhamala Stupa

18. Bhamala Stupa

19. Votive Stupa’s

20. Monastery area of Bhamala Buddhist Complex Monastery Area compromised of • Refectory/Service Hall • Kitchen • Cloistered Promenade (for walking/exercise) • Bathroom • Store room

21. Monastery area of Bhamala Buddhist Complex

22. 2D of Bhamala Buddhist Complex

23. Monk Rooms

24. Dharmarajika Complex

25. 2D of Dharmarajika

26. Takht -i- Bahi

27. Buddhist Sights In Swat Some Sights are Butkara Stupa , Nimogram Stupa ,, Shinderdar Stupa etc

28. Buddhist Sights In Taxila Dharmarajika ,, Khader Mohra and Akhauri ,, Jaulian ,, Kunala ,, Ghai ,, Mohra Moradu ,, Jinnan Wali Dheri ,, Kalawan ,, Pipplan ,, Lalchak ,, Badalpur ,, Giri ,, Bhallar ,, Bhamala .

29. Thank You