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The kingdom of Gandhara was mentioned in the Rig Veda in a poem attributed to Gandharae and Aryan patriarch who established a colony on the southern bank of the river Kophas (now the Kabul river). It was encircled by tall mountains in the north, west and east and valleys to the south along the river Indus. It gradually evolved into an important trade route and served as the hub for commerce linking China with India, Persia and further west with the Graeco Roman world. Gandhara is also mentioned in historical sources dating to the 6th century B.C. when it was part of the Persian Achaemenid Empire during the reigns of Cyrus II and Darius I.
Gandhara was a seat of Buddhist culture from the 1st century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. and greatly influenced the arts of Asia. The origins of Buddhism can be traced to this region in the 3rd century B.C. during the reign of Asoka who followed the Buddhist philosophy. It was during this time that numerous stupas and monasteries were built in Gandhara. Seven of the eight stupas that housed the relics of Buddha were opened and their contents distributed as gifts to individual principal cities of the kingdom and enshrined as magnificent stupas. Asoka’s columns were often adorned with monumental figures of animals, bulls, lions, elephants, horses, lotus flowers and wheel of doctrine from Buddha’s first sermon. It was this interest in Buddhism that led to the recognition of the art of Gandhara.
The historic treasures of Buddhist art have for the first time been exhibited at the Mohatta Palace museum. Visions of divinity: the art of Gandhara is a celebration of the Buddhist philosophy that has dominated the cultures of Central Asia, China, Japan, Indo-China and Indonesia. The main gallery with images of Buddha and a presentation of his life reveal that the sculpture of Gandhara was essentially religious in character as it narrated the life of Buddha in stone, bronze, terracotta or stucco. Sculptures in relief showed the dream of Queen Maya, Buddha’s birth, his renunciation of material life in the palace, his preachings, important events and finally his death. A particularly poignant sculpture is the fasting Buddha who is depicted an emaciated state. The sculpture in this exhibition is a replica that has been cast from an original in the Lahore Museum. A huge relief portraying the life of Buddha is adorned with Indo-Corinthian columns. The first panel shows Buddha seated in a reassurance pose with four worshippers while the second panel represents him entering Rajafriha followed by Vajrapani, his protector, endowed with the attributes of Zeus and three devotees. The third shows Queen Maya’s dream. Panel were designed to be placed in niches or function as decorative elements on the bases of stupas and the facades of the monastic quarters. In later examples of this art style, icons legends, monuments and the motifs were further decorated with mythical creatures, flowers, trailing vines, cupids and garlands.
The influence of Greek gods in the figures in Buddha’s life are obvious as Vajrapani, Buddha’s protector is represented as Zeus, Eros, Heracles, or Dionysus and carries a thunderbolt as well. Hindu gods such as Indra and Brahma are also prominently placed in Buddhist symbolism was replaced by the iconography of a draped figure with a halo, a serene face with a hint of a smile and eyes half open. This became accepted image of Buddha along with other portrayals in a variety of meditative stances. What was a wandering religion during reign of Kanishka slowly took the form of an organized faith with monastries.
In the second gallery at the museum, various coins, jewelry, vessels and other objects are on display. Coins lend valuable evidence about historical and artistic influences on the art of Gandhara. The early coins have Greek gods on them, often with Kharoshti inscriptions on the reverse. Later coins show portraits of monarchs and scenes from legends with sacred Buddhist writing.
Buddhism spread all over the subcontinent with Gandhara and Taxila as important centers. After death of Asoka in 232 B.C., the area was subject to political turmoil. Later, Buddhism flourished under Kushans because it was during that time period when the image of Buddha was first Portrayed in human form. Many art historians believe that Gandhara art adapted the artistic traditions of Graeco-Roman world at this time.
This exhibition represents the evolution of the art of Gandhara and the cultural linkages that Buddhism forged across the subcontinent. It also affirms that Museum has managed to come a long way despite all the odds. Commendation goes to its curator, the board of trustees and the concerned governmental departments that have sustained the superb caliber of this Museum.
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