This book presents primarily firsthand information from some mysterious and unpublished archaeological sites excavated in the Swat Valley in the 1980s. In addition, new studies of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, rock art, and ancient routes leading to and through Gandhara, as well as the analyses of epigraphic and numismatic evidence presented here, argue for a reconsideration of the established political, cultural, and religious history of Gandhara. The book also focuses on previously unknown discoveries, reviews selected research works, and critically reexamines some older finds by situating and studying them in their respective archaeological and landscape contexts. The inclusion of archaeological data and their study in a broader geographical and cultural context is also the objective of this book. Furthermore, it studies the reasons for the mixing of cultures and the processes of compromise, particularly between Gandhara, Central Asia and China.
Gandhra.- Gandhran Art and Archaeology.- Excavation at Pataka Buddhist
site in the Swat Valley The site out of sight but not out of mind.-
Excavation at Gumbatkai The forgotten Buddhist site in the Swat
Valley.- Excavation at Gilba Serai - A blurred image of the Buddhist period
site in the Swat Valley.- Excavation at Charg Paai (Lower Dir) - Context,
iconography and dating of the sculptures.- The Buddhist Site of Jinnan Wali
Dheri (Taxila) Revisited.- Assassination Attempt on the Buddha at the Mount
Gidhrakua. A relief panel from Peshawar Museum.- One theme, two sculptures
and three possessions - Buddhist Relief panels from Gandhra representing
Siddhrtha going to school.- Study and acquisition history of the two
Buddhas mages in the Pakistan Army Museum.- Before and after conservation -
significance of a pectoral depicting the images of the Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas.- Images, inscriptions and Viuism - The story of the
archaeological site of Hund.- Revisiting the two published Kharoh
inscriptions from Pir Manakrai site, Haripur-Hazara.- rad inscription of
the Year.- Wima Takto one or two? Coin hoard recovered from the
archaeological site of Aziz Dheri.- Dir Archaeology - Rock-Art Discoveries
along the East-West Path.- The enigmatic Kharoh rock inscriptions at
Zulam, Panjkora Valley, Lower Dir District.- A note on Alexanders battle at
Massaga in the country of Assakenoi, Lower Dir District.- The Rajas of
Chitral (Ku-wei) - The Kings of the Three Eras7.- Rock art in Chilas Region-
Upper Indus Valley Northern Areas of Pakistan. When, Why and by
Whom?.- Ancient routes to Gandhra across the Upper Indus, Northern Areas of
Pakistan.- Gandhra-China Connection - Epigraphic, Numismatic and
Iconographic evidence.
M. Nasim Khan is Professor at the World Arthistory Institute (WAI), Shanghai International Studies University, and his research focuses mainly on Gandhran studies. He obtained his doctorate with distinction from Sorbonne University, Paris. Prior to joining WAI, he served as Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Peshawar and at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He is also founder of the journal Gandhran Studies. His published books include: Buddhist Paintings in Gandhra (2000), Treasures from Kashmir SmastThe Earliest Shaiva Monastic Establishment (2006), Kharoh Manuscripts from Gandhra (2008), Coins from Kashmir SmastNew Numismatic Evidence (2008), The Sacred and the SecularInvestigating the Unique Stpa and Settlement Site of Aziz Dheri (3 vols., 2012), and Kashmir SmastThe Earliest Seat of Hindu Learning (2 vols., 2018). In recognition of his outstanding achievements in education and research, he was awarded the Higher Education Commissions Best University Teacher Award and one of the highest Pakistan National Civil Awards, the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.
