Gandhara Civilisation: An Epic Story of Religious Tolerance and Harmony

Gandhara Civilisation reveals instances where rulers demonstrated exceptional tolerance toward other faiths

Thu Jan 23 2025
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ISLAMABAD: The ruins of the ancient Gandhara Civilisation, centred in present-day Taxila, tell a story of remarkable religious tolerance and interfaith harmony—qualities that stand in stark contrast to many aspects of modern life.

Historical evidence suggests that religion played a significant role in the daily lives of Gandhara’s inhabitants.

Interestingly, coins from various dynasties bear symbols of gods and deities from different faiths, reflecting a spirit of inclusivity. Rulers often sought to accommodate the religious practices of their subjects by constructing places of worship dedicated to a variety of deities, even when those beliefs differed from those of the rulers.

While it was common for subjects to adopt the religion of their rulers, the Gandhara Civilisation reveals instances where rulers demonstrated exceptional tolerance toward other faiths.

The ruins of the ancient city of Sirkap, located in Taxila, span four distinct periods: pre-Greek, Greek, Scythian, and Parthian. The city was founded in the early second century BCE by the Bactrian Greek king Menander.

Greek influence flourished under subsequent Scythian and Parthian rulers, shaping the city’s architectural and cultural identity besides reflecting religious impacts on the society.

Gandhara Civilisation

Parthian King Gondophares, for instance, rebuilt Sirkap following Greek urban planning principles. The city featured a central main street flanked by shops and places of worship, such as the Apsidal Temple, the Sun Temple, the Double-Headed Eagle Stupa, and the King’s Palace near the eastern gate.

Many of the ruins still visible in Sirkap belong to King Gondophares.

According to some accounts, Gondophares converted to Christianity from Zoroastrianism. The ruins of the city reveal that he was a very accommodating king regarding other religions as well.

The city he built reflects a deep respect for religious diversity. The remains of various places of worship in Sirkap highlight the importance of religious freedom and the rulers’ commitment to accommodating their subjects’ spiritual practices.

Apsidal Temple (Gol Mandir)

This structure is commonly associated with Buddhism, the design of which served both functional and symbolic purposes. Rounded end of it mostly housed stupa or sacred relic which was supposed to be a main point of meditation and worship while the rectangular part of it was used by monks and devotees during rituals.

Gandhara Civilisation

Sun Temple

Dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, the temple still demonstrates its ancient time-telling function through the shadows cast at specific angles.

Double-Headed Eagle Stupa

This is a Greek-inspired structure which is featuring double-headed eagle on the top, besides, showing a shrine reflecting Hinduism.

King’s Palace

Believed to be associated with Saint Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, who is thought to have stayed in the area during his travels.

Votive Stupa

This stupa, featuring a domed drum, is believed to have housed Buddha’s relics.

While talking over the matter, a well-known coin collector and historian Tahir Suleman told WENews English that mostly Buddhist rulers ruled Sirkup and other areas of the Gandhara Civilisation.

However, the rulers belonging to other religions also ruled the area in different eras for a considerable period. He said the rulers also practiced Jainism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Polytheism which has its roots in Greeks.

He said the ruins of Sirkap are a testament not only to Gandhara’s architectural and historical significance but they are also historical accounts as how practicing religion was deep-rooted matter and how religious harmony was displayed by the rulers.

This is pertinent to mention here that the ruins of Sirkup and other sites nearby it—recognised for their value—were declared protected under Pakistan’s Antiquities Act of 1975 besides inscribing it on the World Heritage List in 1980 under the convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Suleman said that rulers having Buddhism as their own religion ruled the area for a very long period and Buddhism flourished massively due to the support of the kings of that era. Nevertheless, he said, other religions like Jainism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism etc. also flourished in the region. He said some religions like Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism have vanished at the moment leaving behind only some remains of them.

Responding to a query about religion harmony, he said ancient Greek coins also display symbols of other religions like that of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. He said during the period of Zoroastrianism, the picture of sun and Swastika were punched. According to him, during the Kushan period the picture of Buddha had appeared on the coins besides inscribing or punching the pictures of gods and goddess of Hinduism.

Gandhara Civilisation

He said, later on, in the present-day history while celebrating the 550 years of Baba Guru Nanak both Pakistani and Indian governments issued coins having denomination of Rs. 550 to mark his anniversary on the state level.

He said there are examples when four different symbols having bit different religious identities were punched on the same coins. While elaborating his stance, he said during the period of Ashoka, a coin which is part of his collection have symbols of Srivatsa, three arched hills, crescent on top of it, Nandipada and Swastika.

“There is also a coin in my collection in which the picture of Budha is inscribed on it during the period of Kanishka Empire (130 AD to 158 AD,” he said.

He went on to add that religious tolerance and harmony was the unique part of different dynasties of Gandhara Civilisation which makes it different from other civilisations.

Gandhara Civilisation

Meanwhile, Dr Chaman Hussain, a noted historian and museologist while talking over the matter said that Gandhara was more than a geographical region as it was a nexus of ideas, trade, and spirituality.

“Sirkap is evidence to Gandhara’s interfaith harmony and the city’s urban planning and architectural diversity reflect a society that valued inclusivity,” she stated.

According to her, the Gandhara School of Art was revolutionary piece of work and its Greco-Buddhist sculptures, such as the iconic Fasting Buddha and other artifacts like it were unparalleled in their beauty and craftsmanship. She said these artistic innovations were not confined to Buddhism. “Even as Buddhism thrived, it didn’t overshadow other religions,” she stated, adding that the rulers ensured that all faiths were given equal respect and representation.

Gandhara Civilisation

Dr. Hussain stated the deliberate inclusion of various religious symbols on coins reflects the Gandhara rulers’ visionary approach to governance. “It was their way of communicating that every belief had a place in their kingdom,” she observed.

He said that the visionary rulers like Menander, Gondophares, and Kanishka understood that societal progress depended on inclusivity.

The Gandhara Civilisation continues to be a testimony of inclusivity and religious harmony and its ruins, art, and the stories offer profound insights into the values that underpin harmonious societies.

 

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