Overview

Gandhara, an ancient Indo-Aryan civilization, thrived in present-day northwest Pakistan and northeast Afghanistan, with key centers in Peshawar, Swat, and Taxila. Flourishing from the 6th century BCE to the 11th century CE, it peaked under the Buddhist Kushan Kings (1st–5th century). Conquered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1021 CE, its name faded, and the region later fell under Lahore and Kabul’s rule. Strategically located on the Uttarapatha trade route, Gandhara linked Iran and Central Asia. Its Buddhist heritage and art influenced China, Korea, and Japan, leaving a lasting impact on Asian culture and religious iconography.