Gandhara Civilization
The Influence of the Greek culture came to Pakistan because
of the invasion by Alexander the great. The religion of Buddhism was approved
as the state religion which flourished for over 1000 years. At that time the
cities of Taxila, Swat and Charsaddah were three important centers for traditions,
trade and education. Taxila was filled with hundreds of monasteries and stupas.
These centers have been the origin of unique sculpture art lately known as
Gandhara to all over the world. Now a
days these sculptures have a well known position in the museums of England,
Germany, France, USA, Japan, Korea, China, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. When
the Buddha passed away, people built 84,000 stupas for veneration.But, lately
it was replaced by sensitive human imagery. One of the prominent and the zenith
sculpture of "Fasting Buddha" display in Lahore Museum, Pakistan.
Soon, the light of Islam broke in in this part of the world and thousands of Mosques,
Madrassahs, tombs were created to
worship only one GOD.
Pakistan’s national
heritage is so rich and diversified which makes the Pakistani feel proud. It is
also from one of the treasures of Pakistan. Gandhara civilization can be seen
in the cities of Peshawar valley, Mardan, Swat, Dir, Malakand, and Bajuaur agencies,
Taxila and Jalalabad. The fascinating record of Gandhara civilization, revealed
in the 20th century, at the sites of Taxila and Swat. The rock carving has been
found along the Karakoram Highway. Among many other arts the footprints of the
Buddha were also found in the Swat valley which later placed in Swat Museum.
The land of Swat is celebrated throughout the world as the
holy land of Buddhist learning and faithfulness. Swat attained reputation as a
place of Buddhist pilgrimage. According to one record the Swat valley is filled with fourteen hundred beautiful
stupas and monasteries. The site of Butkarha-I, contain the original relics of
the Buddha. Some of the famous stupas are:
Dharamarajika Stupa is the oldest Buddhist monument in
Taxila. The Dharamarajika Stupa contained the silver scroll commemorating the
relics. Takht-i-Bhai wealthy Buddhist remains right about 10 miles northeast of
Mardan. It has an architectural diversity and romantic mountain setting.
The Gandhara's language was of Middle Indo-Aryan dialect,
usually called Gāndhārī. Gandhāra education was controlled by the dynasty of
the Persian empire. The Gandharan Buddhist texts are both the Buddhist and
South Asian manuscripts discovered so far. Most are written on brisk and clay
port.
If you are interested to visit that ancient civilization of
Ghandara. The Pakistan International Airlines is operating domestic flights to Peshawar.
It will be easy and comfortable too.
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