The Grandeur of Gandhara : the Ancient Buddhist Civilization of the Swat, Peshawar, Kabul and Indus Valleys.

301 Pages·2011·9.64 MB·English

by  Rafi U Samad

T he G randeur of G andhara

T he G ra n d eu r o f G andhara
T he A ncient B uddhist C ivilization
o f th e S w a t , P esh a w a r,
K abul and Indus V alleys
Rafi'US Sam ad
Algora Publishing
New York
© 2011 by Algora Publishing.
All Rights Reserved
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No portion of this book (beyond what is permitted by
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data —
Samad, Rafi U.
The grandeur of Gandhara : The ancient buddhist civilization of the Swat, Peshawar,
Kabul and Indus Valleys/ Rafi-us Samad.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-87586-858-5 (soft cover, alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-87586-859-2
(hard cover: alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-87586-860-8 (ebook) 1. Gandhara (Pakistan
and Afghanistan)—Civilization. 2. Gandhara (Pakistan and Afghanistan)—History.
3. Gandhara (Pakistan and Afghanistan)—Intellectual life. 4. Gandhara (Pakistan and
Afghanistan)—Religious life and customs. I. Title.
DS392.G36S26 2011
954.9132—dc22
2011014303
Printed in the United States
For Kashfa

T able of C ontents
Preface 1
C hapter 1: Introduction 5
Evolution of Gandhari & Kharoshthi as Universal Language and Script
in Greater Gandhara 7
Evolution of Mahayana Buddhism as Universal Religion in Greater Gandhara 10
Compilation of Buddhist Scriptures in Written Form 12
Urbanization 13
Mahayana Buddhism: Main Propelling Force in Gandhara Civilization 15
Dynamic Buddhist Institutions 15
Cosmopolitan Nature of Population 16
Spread 17
Topography & Physical Environment 17
Sphere of Influence Beyond the Borders of Greater Gandhara 21
Bodhisattvas in the Garb of Missionaries 21
Literature Produced in Greater Gandhara 22
Greek and Persian Influences in Art and Architecture 22
Economic Environment 23
Legacy 24
Nomenclature 24
C hapter 2: Rise and G rowth 27
C hapter 3: Embryonic Phase 31
The Achaemenid Period 31
Achaemenid Satrapy of Gandhara 32
Achaemenid Satrapy of Sindh (Taxi la) 33
Achaemenid Administrative Shills 34
Tolerance of Local Religions 35
Exploration of Maritime Routes 35
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The Grandeur of Gandhara
Military Engagements 36
Cultural Union of Gandhara & Taxila 36
Collapse of Achaemenid Administration before Alexander's Invasion 36
Progress during Achaemenid Rule Towards Emergence of Gandhara Civilization 37
Alexander’s Invasion 37
Conquests 39
Administrative Organization 41
Grcck-Maccdonian Cities 41
Physical Environment & Economy 43
Progress Towards Emergence of the Gandhara Civilization 44
C hapter 4:T ransient Phase 45
The Mauryan Period 46
Stupa Culture takes Root in Gandhara 49
Asoka’s Edicts 49
Trade and Cult ural Exchanges 50
Mauryan City in Taxila 50
Progress Towards Emergence of Gandhara Civilization 51
Hellenistic Gandhara 51
The Indus Greeks 54
Indus Greek Cities & Monuments in Greater Gandhara 61
Indus Greek Coinage 62
Contribution Towards Gandhara Civilization 63
Indo'Scythian Rule 64
Indo'Parthian Rule 67
Religious Environment in Indo-Scythian-Parthian Period 70
Linkages with Silk Route 71
Saka-Parthian City at Takshasila-Sirkap 71
Artifacts from a SakaParthian City 74
Progress during Saka Parthian Rule 75
C hapter 5: Kushan Empire 77
Origins 77
Kushan Dynasty 79
Kujula Kadphises: 60-80 CE. 79
Vima Taktu: 81-100 CE. 82
Vima Kadphises: 101-127 CE. 82
Kanishka-1:128-150 CE. 83
Vasishka: 151-155 CE. 84
Huvishka: 155-190 CE. 84
Vasudeva: 190-220 CE. 85
Kanishka-U: 221-230 CE. 85
Minor Kushan Rulers 230-350 CE. 85
Extent of Kushan Empire 86
Religious Beliefs and Cultural Oricntation of Kushan Emperors 87
Administrative Affairs of the Kushan Empire 90
Place of Greater Gandhara in Kushan Empire 93
Core Area and Administrative Base 93
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