The Gandhara Civilization existed in what is now Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE to the beginning of the 2nd millennium CE. Although multiple major powers ruled over this area during that time, they all had in common great reverence for Buddhism and the adoption of the Indo Greek artistic tradition which had developed in the region following Alexander's invasions into India.
More about: Gandhara Civilization17th Anniversary Fundraiser
Celebrate our 17th anniversary with an anniversary gift to support free history education around the world!
$2104 / $5000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 CEThe Gandhara Civilization flourishes in what is today the northern portion of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
-
c. 520 BCE - c. 325 CEAchaemenid rule in the Gandhara region.
-
c. 325 BCE - c. 320 BCEGreek rule in Gandhara, ending some time after the death of Alexander the Great.
-
c. 320 BCE - c. 180 BCEMauryan rule in the Gandhara region, beginning with Chandragupta Maurya.
-
186 BCEDemetrios wins a decisive battle in Gandhara, beginning the Yona (or Greek era) in India.
-
c. 180 BCE - 80 BCEPeriod of Indo-Greek rule in the Gandhara region.
-
c. 80 BCE - c. 75 CEThe combined Scytho-Parthians rule Gandhara.
-
c. 55 BCE - c. 50 BCEGandhara and Western Punjab lost to Indo-Saka kings.
-
c. 75 CE - c. 450 CEKushan rule in the Gandhara region, arguably the golden era of the Gandhara civilization in which art, architecture and the propagation of the Buddhist religion excelled.
-
455 CE - 484 CEReign of the Tegin Tunjina or Khingila of the White Huns in the region known as Gandhara.
-
470 CEBeginning of White Hun Raids into India.
-
484 CE - 515 CEReign of the White Hun king Tormana, son of Tunjina.
-
515 CE - 533 CEReign of the king Mihirakula of the White Huns in Gandhara.
