Impact of Kushan Dynasty on Gandhara Art in Pakistan: A case study of TaxiIa

Abstract

The study, based on empirical data collected from vanous museums and archaeological sites, particularly from excavated areas around Taxila valley, deals with the artefacts, coins, inscriptions, narrative sculptures from Kushan to ascertain its impact on Greco-roman and other Indian influences which in the accumulated fonn is known as Gandhara Ali. The Study can be distinguished as a special case study of its own nature for being conducted in the geographical boundaries where Kushan and Gandhara ali was experimented and practiced which afterwards achieved a status of full scale culture of the area. The special feature of the study includes direct access to the various sources oflmowledge which have prime importance in creating another body of knowledge to describe vmlous aspects of Gandhara art which was not only influenced but to a larger extent shaped during the period of Kushans. The study has thoroughly encompassed salient characteristics of Kushan which have provided fundamentals for the social, cultural, religious, economic and political institutions of Gandhara which are effectively and explicitly portrayed in various fonns of evidences ranging from script to symbolic and graphic illustrations. The main aim of the research was to study the socio-cultural aspects of the inhabitants of Kushan period including living patterns of different social classes, structural design of the buildings, attires and cultural outfits of various segments of the society as well as personal features like ornaments, head dresses, and social rituals in shaping the cultural contours of Gandhara art. During empirical research several influences as well as detennining factors of Kushan dynasty captured central attention due to their vital importance in shaping Gandhara art and its various cultural and human features, which expands from birth till death. The pieces of evidence in the fonn of SCUlptures, architectural patterns as well as socio-religious characteristics reflected through various archaeological excavations help to decipher the cultural realities of century's old but continuously practiced Gandhara art. In addition, the physical as well as social environment preserved in the fonn of archaeological evidences also helped in making a collective picture of influences and detenninants of Gandhara art. The critical analysis of archaeological evidences also helped to discover a wide range of cultural rituals and religious practices which imitates details of living styles enriched through customs, traditions and important behavioural patterns of Gandharanese. The empirical results collected from various archaeological sites reflect a special understanding of religious art work during the regime of Kushans supporting a close lillie with the Kings and Princess during their control of South Asian region. The importance of commerce, trade, and urban life is exclusively reflected in their artefacts which provide a good account of their material culture. The extensiveness of Gandhara art is not limited to the group life rather it has overtly presented the details of individual's social and personal life. The archaeological evidences contain minute detail.s of cultural items like ornaments, jewellery, dresses, hair styles as well as patterns of private and social interaction. As a conclusion it can be stated that Gandhara art presents a complete spectrum of cultural and social life of the Gandharanese