Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Gandhara

Harappa

Mehrgarh

Moenjodaro
ANCIENT
PAKISTAN
Design & Layout:
Aasim Akhtar

Assistant:
Muhammad Saeed

Printers:
Graphic Plus, Islamabad

Publishers:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Islamabad

No part of this publication may be stored

in a retrieval system or reproduced in any
form or by any means, including
photocopying, without the necessary
permission.

ISBN:

All rights reserved.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Government of Pakistan, Islamabad
ANCIENT PAKISTAN
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 Ancient Pakistan

“e Magilum-boat of Meluhha

Transport silver and gold,
Bring them to Nippur……”

Ancient Sumerian literary text about Indus Valley

5
INDEX
1. Foreword 8

2. Message from the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan 9

3. Experts' Comments 10

4. Ancient Pakistan 12

5. Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Age 16

6. Mehrgarh 20

7. Indus Valley 33

8. Gandhara 64

7
 Ancient Pakistan

FOREWORD
Pakistan is a prehistoric land, the cradle of one of the four ancient civilizations. Many historical processes have le their indelible marks on the land and its people.
Little wonder then, Pakistani society can claim a remarkable ability to accept, accommodate and produce new social and cultural trends, art and cras.

From the prehistoric habitations of Mehrgarh to ancient civilizations in the fertile plains of the Indus Valley and the verdant hills of Gandhara, the people of Pakistan
have inherited a genius that informs their heritage.

e in uence of ancient Pakistan transcended boundaries - geographical as well as political – to areas as far as the edges of South, Central and East Asia. Mehrgarh's
landmark cultivation of food, Indus Valley's urban settlements and Gandhara's syncretic art continue to remind the world of the immense share of ancient Pakistan
to the development of human civilization.

Modern Pakistan today, carries a proud legacy of curiosity for diverse ideas, quest for knowledge and eagerness for innovation including in art and cras. ese
traditions are to be passed on to the succeeding generations of Pakistanis.

Exhibition, “Ancient Pakistan” celebrates the achievements of the people of Pakistan in the ancient world. Simultaneously, it underscores the relevance of our
heritage with its unmistakable stress on accommodation, reason and creativity towards promotion of regional peace and development.

I would like to commend our officers who, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, have conceptualized and implemented this initiative. Gratitude is
due to our partners who eagerly participated in holding this event.

I invite the visitors to explore the Gi of Indus that is Pakistan, through this exhibition.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

Foreign Secretary
Islamabad
30 March, 2016

8
 Ancient Pakistan

MESSAGE (from the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan)

Pakistan can be rightfully proud of its rich and diverse cultural heritage. e creative pursuits of our artists and artisans have stimulated imaginations throughout the
ages. Great works of art produced at Mehrgarh, Moenjodaro, Taxila and many other ancient centres help us understand our past. Perhaps our most signi cant legacy
is the tradition of tolerance, respect for difference, and acceptance of plurality, which even today is the bedrock of the true Pakistani ethos.

In the same spirit, the fundamental teachings of the great sages and saints who lived and died in the lands that constitute modern Pakistan were centred on the
concept of not just peaceful, but also respectful, coexistence.

Pakistan's foreign policy objectives today are consistent with these time-honoured ideals. We are focused on strengthening regional connectivity and collaboration,
as well as on developing a consensus-based agenda for a peaceful neighbourhood to promote harmony, security and socioeconomic development in the region and
beyond. e success of our efforts is in good part linked with recognizing and nurturing trans-regional cultural roots to stimulate closer people to people contacts,
interaction, and cooperation.

is exhibition, Ancient Pakistan, is a sincere effort to promote awareness about our true cultural and philosophical heritage, which is as much regional and
multicultural as it is Pakistani.

e Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan deserves commendation for taking this excellent initiative.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad
30 March, 2016

9
 Ancient Pakistan

EXPERTS’ COMMENTS
“….Modern Pakistani culture is marked by its peculiar characteristics and unique properties…Pakistani culture not only has a close connection with the modern
nation and Pakistani people, but also links intimately with ancient civilizations and ethnic groups. Pakistani culture serves as a bridge connecting the past, present
and future of Pakistan.”
Professor Tang Mengsheng
Director, Center for Pakistan Studies
Peking University, China

“e monuments of Pakistan are like precious pearls on a long chain.”

Professor Dr. Michael Jansen
RWTH Aachen University, Germany

“e Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple has historically originated from Gandhara. is story indicates that Gandhara is one of the signi cant roots of Asian
civilization and linkage between different cultures.”
Mr. Atsushi Noguchi
Secretary General,
NPO-Japan Centre for South Asian Cultural Heritage

10
 Ancient Pakistan

“….con icts over the differences between ideologies or beliefs are further deepening at various places of the world. Mankind is facing a critical moment. In such an
era, I would like to remind ourselves of the wisdom inscribed in Pakistan’s history. I hope that we can review the Gandhara Art, learn deep lessons from the historical
experiences and overcome crisis.”
Professor Koji Nishikawa
Kyoto University,
Japan

“Shortly aer (Mehrgarh), the people of ancient Pakistan were capable of creating beautiful ceramics painted with coloured and intricate designs. ey learnt to
smelt copper and cast objects with the now lost wax process. By the late 4th millennium BCE, they used stamp seals with geometric patterns, made necessary by the
need of securing their properties (in houses, stores, boxes and pots) in societies that became more and more impersonal and demographically in ated. At the same
time, signs traced on pottery witness the rst steps of writing.”
Prof. Massimo Vidale
University Degli Studi Di Padova,
Italy

11
 Ancient Pakistan

ANCIENT PAKISTAN
Ancient Pakistan is a fascinating study of interaction among diverse cultures, languages, social systems and faiths. is interaction has imparted Pakistan a
distinctive cultural identity that is essentially tolerant, pluralistic and accommodative. Watered mainly by Indus (Darya-i-Sindh) and its tributaries and bounded,
inter alia, by majestic Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, shimmering ar and Cholistan deserts, rugged hills and valleys of Balochistan and sparkling
Arabian Sea, the land of Pakistan has cradled human habitations since the Palaeolithic Age.

Ideas, arts and cras produced in ancient Pakistan were disseminated to adjacent countries and regions including South, Central and East Asia by preachers,
soldiers, traders, students and scholars. It was the territory of modern Pakistan where experts set rules of as ancient a language as Sanskrit, developed elaborate
standards, inter alia, of weights, medicines and town planning, produced exegesis of sacred religious texts and created art and cras which remain most treasured
part of Pakistan's rich cultural heritage.

About 25 kilometers from Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, ows the Soan, an ancient stream that gently raises its head at the foothills of Murree and winding through a
tortuous path falls into Indus River near Kalabagh. At Rawat, within reaches of the Soan, researchers have found the oldest stone tools in the world dating as far back
as 2.2 million years. Evidence of Palaeolithic culture was also recorded in southern Pakistan near Hyderabad, where a int workshop was discovered at Ongar. e
Sanghao caves near Mardan offer further evidence of contemporary human endeavours. Additionally, fresco paintings and engravings at the caves in Loralai and
Musakhel illustrate the story of a prehistoric society in Pakistan. Many sites at Dhok Pathan, Kund, Morgah, Hyderabad, Rohri, Jamal Garhi and Khanpur belong to
various stages of Palaeolithic as well as Mesolithic ages.

Neolithic or New Stone Age (6500 to 2500 BCE) marked the beginning of human settlements in Pakistan as well as domestication of useful crops and animals,
building of shelters with burnt bricks and experimentation with ceramics. For the earliest farming, wheat and barley were used. e rst such settlement existed in
the eighth millennium BCE at Mehrgarh in Sibi. e settlement was established with simple mud buildings with four internal subdivisions. Numerous burials have
been found, many with elaborate goods such as baskets, stone and bone tools, beads, bangles, pendants and occasionally animal sacri ces, with more goods le with
burials of males.

Discovered by Jean Francois Jarrige and his team in 1974, experts found evidence of trans-regional trade as well as wheat cultivation at the site. e concentration of
population in Kot Diji, Sindh and Rehman Dheri, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led to the development of higher civilizations.

Indus Valley (3000-1300 BCE) is one of the four mature civilizations of the world. Across 250 acres on a series of mounds, Moenjodaro, its prime city was the most

12
 Ancient Pakistan

advanced in contemporary South Asia. e city was governed as a city-state as no evidence of kings and queens has been discovered either in Moenjodaro in Sindh or
Harappa, another city of the civilization in Punjab.

Evidence suggests that these two cities had profound knowledge of city planning. Both had evolved a uniform system of weights and measures and made bricks
whose dimensions were in proportion of 4:2:1 considered in line with the ideal strength of the brick structure. Buttons made from sea shells and ivory combs were in
use besides bangles worn by females. e practice of dyeing also relates to Moenjodaro. Archaeologists have found private bathrooms at the ground oor of most
houses highlighting the use of ush toilets.

Discovery of gurines of dancing girls made Sir John Marshal re ect, “When I rst saw them I found it difficult to believe that they were prehistoric; they seemed to
completely upset all established ideas about early art and culture.”

Similarly, it is said that the earliest plough (animal drawn) and rulers used in the world were by the Indus Valley people. Interestingly, rulers were made of ivory. In
the same vein, knowledge about weights and measures used in Moenjodaro also gradually spread to Central Asia.

Indus Valley Civilization is also the rst literate civilization of South Asia. Goods produced by it were exported to Egypt, Sumer, and Ur, a fact that informs its
international connections and knowledge of the world outside its boundaries. Indus Valley inhabitants were given the name 'Meluhha' by the Babylonians because of
their fondness for sea voyages. e dikes built by the Indus Valley people are believed to be the rst in the world. e Rigveda, one of the four canonical texts of
Hindusim composed approximately between1500 and 1000 BCE, describes Sindhu (Indus) as the cradle of civilization. e Ramayana mentions Sindh as part of the
empire of Dasaratha.

Scholars from Harvard University, University of Wisconsin and New York University dealing with ancient civilizations in a project in collaboration with the
Department of Archaeology and Museums of the Government of Pakistan, have opined that “a new study of artifacts” has revealed the presence of silk at the site of
Harappa. is indicates the use of silk by the Indus Valley Civilization.

Aer Mehrgarh and Indus Valley, Gandhara is yet another landmark on Pakistan's archaeological landscape. Situated in the northwest of Pakistan, its boundaries
extended to Lahore in the east of Pakistan and to the west into Afghanistan. Occupying a prominent position at a crossroads, Gandhara facilitated ancient Pakistan's
international relations.

13
 Ancient Pakistan

Rigveda mentioned Gandhara as a tribe. In historical literature, it was rst mentioned as “part of the Achaemenian Empire” during the time of Cyrus the Great. Over
the centuries, it developed into a place where contemporary scienti c, political, social and religious ideas, as well as art and cras of diverse lands met and in uenced
each other.

Taxila, the ancient city of Gandhara has been described as the wealthiest in contemporary South Asia. Its prosperity resulted from its position “at the junction of
three great trade routes: one from eastern India, the second from western Asia; and the third from Kashmir and Central Asia.” It attracted distinguished preachers
including Apostle omas and Apollonius of Tyna whose biographer Philostratus described Taxila as a forti ed city that was laid out on a symmetrical plan and
compared it in size to Nineveh.

King Ambhi of Taxila received Alexander the Great around 320 BCE. In the following seven centuries, Greek in uence introduced classical traditions that became
an important part of the Gandhara heritage. It is said that Mahabharata was recited for the rst time at Taxila by Vaismpayana, a disciple of Veda Vyasa. Buddhist
literature including Jataka mentions Taxila as a great centre of learning. Taxila was also visited by the famous Chinese monk Fa Hien in 405 CE. e city is mentioned
in his travelogue titled A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms. Another well-known Chinese Xuanzang, also called Hieun Tsang, visited Taxila in 630 CE.

Analysts have expressed the view that the world's rst university was established at Taxila. Called Takshashila University, it existed in the eighth century BCE.
Analyst Janaka Perera opines that “this university, the world's oldest seat of higher learning” was in existence even before the time of the Buddha “and even before the
Achaeminid rulers who occupied the Taxila valley in the sixth to h century BCE.” Scholars opine that Buddha had undertaken a visit to Sindh. It is said that given
the extreme dry conditions, special permission was given by Buddha to his followers to wear shoes when they traveled in Sindh.

Chandragupta Maurya, who later founded the Maurya dynasty, studied at Takshashila University. Chanakya (Kautilya) taught politics and diplomacy in the
University where he wrote his masterpiece Arthashastra. It is said that Charaka, the famous ayurvedic physician who wrote Charaka Samhita was a product of
Takshashila University. Atreya taught medicine and surgery at Taxila.

Scholars have emphasized that Greek populace in the Mauryan Empire converted to Buddhism aer Asoka (304-232 BCE), a grandson of Chandragupta, became a
Buddhist. In the context of Hellenic in uence, a reference could be made to the Kailash people in Chitral, who may well be the direct descendants of the soldiers of
Alexander.

14
 Ancient Pakistan

Under Asoka, Buddhism became the most popular faith in ancient Pakistan. e Mankiala Stupa near Rawat is an important Buddhist site. According to a legend,
Buddha at this place “sacri ced some of his body parts to feed seven hungry tiger cubs.” Scholars believe that the “entire area from Peshawar to Gabral and the entire
Dir Valley were stupa-studded.” ere were “hundreds of monasteries” throughout these valleys. Now in advanced stages of decay, the remnants of such
monasteries can be seen at many places in Pakistan including Mardan, Jamalgarhi, Shabazgarhi, Charsadda and Takht-i-Bahi.

Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche (the Precious Guru), was born in Swat which is not far from Islamabad. Considered as the 'Second Buddha',
he is highly venerated in the entire Himalayan region especially in the Tibet region of the People's Republic of China, and Bhutan. In his youth, Asoka, served as the
Governor of Taxila. His son Mahindra, and daughter Sanghamitra, preached Buddhism in Sri Lanka, from where this religion is said to have spread to East Asia
including ailand.

Aer Alexander and his Indo-Greek satraps, many other groups took control of Gandhara including Sakas, Parthians, Scythians and Kushanas. e great Kushanas
took keen interest in developing Gandhara into an important Buddhist center under Kanishka during the second century CE. e period of prosperity ended with
devastating Hun or Hephthalite attacks during the h and sixth centuries setting in gradual decline of this great culture.

History places Pakistan at a central position on the world heritage map. e unique geography and cultural diversity of the country have shaped it as an inevitable
forerunner of great cultural and political movements across South, Central and East Asia. While writing about ancient Pakistan, renowned scholar, Mr. Mukhtar
Ahmad aptly remarked, “It is to this unique region that we owe much of our élan in South Asia.” In line with a great tradition, Pakistan remains a prime proponent
and promoter of regional integration and connectivity as well as a culture of tolerance and accommodation for all. In fact, these are the most prominent traits of our
ethos.

Exhibition, “Ancient Pakistan”, is the latest in the series of events the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been organizing to highlight the richness and diversity of Pakistan's
cultural heritage. Artifacts and paintings displayed at the exhibition are representative of the three major cultures which emerged here.

is article is based on material provided by Ambassador Afrasiab, Ambassador of Pakistan in Wellington, Dr. Ghani-ur-Rehman of Taxila Institute of Asian
Civilizations, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad and Mr. Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Joint Secretary, National Security Division, Islamabad.

15
 PALAEOLITHIC
AND
MESOLITHIC AGE
 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Age

Stone Tool, Soan Valley (2 million years old), Islamabad Museum

Stone Tool, Soan Valley (2 million years old), Islamabad Museum

17
 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Age

Chert Blades, Sangaho Cave (25000 – 10000 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

18
 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Age

Chert Blades, Rohri Hills (10000 – 3000 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

19
 Neolithic Age

Necklace – Mehrgarh (7000 – 2700 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

21
 Neolithic Age

Terracotta Figurines, Mehrgarh (8000 – 3000 B.C.) National Museum, Karachi

22
 Neolithic Age

Mother Goddesses – Balochistan (4000 – 2700 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

23
 Neolithic Age

Mother Goddess – Mehrgarh (4000 – 2700 B.C.) Balochistan, Mother Goddess – Mehrgarh (5000 – 4000 B.C.) Balochistan,
Islamabad Museum Islamabad Museum

24
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

25
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

26
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.)Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

27
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

28
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

29
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Nal Culture (3500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

30
 Neolithic Age

Pot – Kuli Culture (2600 – 2500 B.C.) Balochistan, Islamabad Museum

31
 Neolithic Age

Painted Jar - Naushero (2700 – 1800 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

32
INDUS VALLEY
 Indus Valley

King Priest (Replica) - Moenjodaro (2500 – 1800 B.C.), Islamabad Musuem

34
 Indus Valley

Indus Seal - Moenjodaro (2500 – 1800 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

Indus Seal - Moenjodaro (2500 – 1800 B.C.), Islamabad Museum, Islamabad

35
 Indus Valley

Bejewelled Mother Goddess, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

36
 Indus Valley

Male Figure – Moenjodaro (2500 – 1500 B.C.), Male Torso, Harappa (2500 – 2000 B.C.),
Islamabad Museum National Museum, Karachi

37
 Indus Valley

Dancing Girl, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

38
 Indus Valley

Whistling Bird, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

39
 Indus Valley

Terracotta Bullock Cart (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

40
 Indus Valley

Mother Goddess, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), Male Dancing Torso (2500 – 2000 B.C.),
National Museum, Karachi National Museum, Karachi

41
 Indus Valley

Indus Seals - Moenjodaro (2500 – 1800 B.C.), Islamabad Museum, Islamabad

42
 Indus Valley

Human Head, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

Barrel Shaped Weight, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

43
 Indus Valley

Mother Goddess, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

44
 Indus Valley

(Clockwise)
Medallion, Moenjodaro (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi
Steatite Seal (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi
Steatite Seal (2500 – 2000 B.C.), National Museum, Karachi

45
 Indus Valley

Cooking Pot (1900 – 1500 B.C.), Harappa Museum

46
 Indus Valley

Cooking Pot (1900 – 1500 B.C.), Harappa Museum

47
 Indus Valley

Harappan Bangles (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

48
 Indus Valley

Necklace (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

49
 Indus Valley

Harappan Bangles (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

50
 Indus Valley

Chert Blades and Core (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

51
 Indus Valley

Animal Figurines (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

52
 Indus Valley

Bullock Cart (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

53
 Indus Valley

Stone Saddle with Pestle (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

54
 Indus Valley

Early Harappan Pot (3000 – 3100 B.C.), Harappa Museum

55
 Indus Valley

Terracotta Pot (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

56
 Indus Valley

Burial Jar (900 – 1500 B.C.), Harappa Museum

57
 Indus Valley

Measuring Weights (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

Terracotta Cakes (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

58
 Indus Valley

Indoor Game Objects (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

Seals (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

59
 Indus Valley

Early Harappan Pot (3100 – 2600 B.C.), Harappa Museum

60
 Indus Valley

Dish on Stand (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

61
 Indus Valley

Indus Seals (2500 – 1800 B.C.), Islamabad Museum

62
 Indus Valley

Human Figurines (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

Building Material (2500 – 1900 B.C.), Harappa Museum

63
GANDHARA
 Gandhara

Buddha Head (Kushan Period), Peshawar Museum

65
 Gandhara

First Sermon (3rd – 4th century), Peshawar Museum

66
 Gandhara

Marriage Ceremony (2nd – 3rd century), Peshawar Museum

67
 Gandhara

Kanishka Relic Casket (2nd century), Peshawar Museum

68
 Gandhara

Birth Scene (2nd – 3rd century), Peshawar Museum

Palace Life (2nd – 4th century), Peshawar Museum

69
 Gandhara

Worship of Stupa (2nd – 3rd century), Peshawar Museum

70
 Gandhara

Worship of Turban (2nd – 3rd century), Peshawar Museum

71
 Gandhara

Buddha Head (Kushan Period), Peshawar Museum

72
 Gandhara

Seated Buddha (2nd – 4th century), Peshawar Museum

73
 Gandhara

Fasting Sidhartha (3rd – 4th century), Peshawar Museum

74
 Gandhara

Dipankara Jataka (2nd century), Peshawar Museum

75
 Gandhara

Death Scene (1st – 3rd century), Peshawar Museum

76
 Gandhara

Miracle of Saraswati (3rd – 4th century), Peshawar Museum

77