United States (US) has agreed to return invaluable ‘stolen’ antiquities belonging to Gandhara civilization back to Pakistan.
As per details, an agreement has been signed between District Attorney New York County Cyrus Vance and Pakistani Consul General Ayesha Ali at Pakistani Consulate in New York over the return of Gandhara civilization antiquities back to Pakistan.
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The invaluable antiquities date back to 2nd century and hold significant historical importance.
Expressing her views, Pakistani Consul General Ayesha Ali expressed gratitude over the US government’s decision to duly return the ‘stolen’ Gandhara artifacts. She highlighted that the move reflects the extent of mutual relations, friendship between US and Pakistan.
Gandhara Civilization
Gandhāra is the name of an ancient kingdom (Mahajanapada) located in the Peshawar basin region in the far north-west of the ancient Indian subcontinent, corresponding to present-day north-west Pakistan.
During the 2nd century B.C., it was here that Buddhism was adopted as the state religion which flourished and prevailed here for over 1000 years, starting from 2nd century B.C., until 10th century A.D. During this time Taxila, Swat and Charsaddah (old Pushkalavati) became three important centres for culture, trade and learning
Hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh both in Taxila. It was from these centers that a unique art of sculpture originated which is known as Gandhara Art all over the world.
Today the Gandhara Sculptures occupy a prominent place in the museums of England, France, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, China, India and Afghanistan together with many private collections world over, as well as in the museums of Pakistan. Nevertheless, the zenith of this Gandhara Art is one and only “Fasting Buddha” now on display in Lahore Museum, Lahore.
