Gandharan Art JSMA Exhibit - The region of Gandharan has existed since 1500 B.C. JSMA Gandharan exhibit opened February 1, 2017 as is a permanent exhibit in the South Upper Hallway. Ancient Gandhara was located in what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan, starting in 1500 B.C. and inhabited by roving tribal bands. This region did not start to flourish until the later part of 500 B.C. where the developing art and literature culture continued well into the 1400’s A.D. During these 900 years the region was conquered by Alexander the Great, the Indian Mauryan dynasty, the Parthians, the Indo-Greeks, and finally Central Asian Kushan empire. A complex history, with its many cultural influences, formed the foundation for a region where Buddhism and Buddhist art flourished. From 2nd Century BC to the end of 14th Century AD, a great trade route, ‘The Silk Road’ originated from Xi'an, China, in the east, and ended at the Mediterranean Sea, in the west, thus linking China with the Roman Empire. There were three separate routes through China and one connecting India in the south. Because silk was the major trade product which traveled on these roads it was called, ‘The Silk Road’, (named in 1877 by a German geographer, Ferdinand von Richthofen). This ancient route not only circulated products, but also exchanged the splendid cultures of China, India, Persia Arabia, Greek and Rome The Silk Road trade traveled through the heart of Gandhara and became the crossroads where the early influences of the western classical world met with Chinese and Indian imagery. Cultural exchange began in earnest when Alexander the Great conquered Gandhara in the late 4th century B.C. JSMA’’s Gandharan exhibit displays five rare works of art dating from the 5th century BC through 1st century BC that features the importance of their beliefs of Buddhism . The ancient objects displayed reflect complex connections to Greco-Roman and Parthian art.

Common stones used to carve the sculptures in this exhibit: METAMORPHIC ROCK - is the result of a transformation of a pre-existing rock subject to very high heat and pressure which causes physical and/or chemical change. Examples of the rock type include: Marble, Slate, Gneiss and Schist.

SCHIST - Is a medium grained metamorphic rock formed of mudstone /shale to a higher degree than slate. The resulting foliation is coarser and more distinct than that of slate due to the higher degree of crystallization of mica minerals forming larger crystal. These larger crystals reflect light so the ‘schist’ often has a high luster. (www.wikipedia.com) ​ ​ (Often when viewing these Gandaran works of art you can glimpse a glint of the mica mineral).

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Q: How do you identify a Buddha? A: The Buddha image varies from culture to culture but have identifying images. The most common: 1. Often Buddha's are very large and in a sitting position on a Lotus Throne. 2. The USNIA (large round bump on top of the head) indicated extraordinary wisdom. 3. Long Earlobes signify listening and learning for many years. 4. Positioning of the hands. MUNDRA. -- a) Common are RIGHT HAND over RIGHT KNEE--symbol: Buddha calling the earth as a witness during his victory over negative forces. b) RIGHT HAND with PALM OUT, symbolizes reassurance. 5. Priestly Robes. Q: Can you locate the original Gandhara on a world map? What modern countries now claim this region: A: Gandhara was the first country established in 1500 BC, and is now the countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Middle East Land that is due north from the Arabian Sea. Q: Why was the most important trade routes in this region called the ‘Silk Road’s. A:. The ‘Silk Road’ is a series of trade routes that connect China and India to the Mediterranean Sea. In this era silk was only made in China and India and was coveted by the rest of the world as a valuable material, rich in colors soft, yet warm to wear. Great wealth was developed by those engaged in the trade of silk. Large cities grew and prospered that were on the ‘Silk Roads,’ Over the centuries many battles were fought by nations to control this land for it meant great wealth to the victors. Q: Starting with Gandharan in 1500 BC, how many years has this land been an important region to world development: A: 3,517 years.

A Sampling of 5th Century to 1 AD World Historic Highlights 5th Century BCE Highlights: 500: BCE The Celts moved west from central Europe into France and Northern Spain 500 BCE: Hockey like Polo is a team game in the Persian Empire 490 BCE The Lapps, the hunter of reindeer control all of Scandinavia. 4th Century BCE Highlights: 480 BCE: The Greek Artist sculpts a naturalistic male nude, the earliest surviving masterpiece of Greek art. 478 BCE: In the last joint campaign of Sparta and Athens, the city of Byzantium was liberated from Persian rule. 404 BCE: The long wall of Athens was dismantled by Spartus army, ending the Peloponnesian War. 3rd Century BCE: 375 BC - The Kushan Empire established rule in Gandhara. Buddhism flourished. Highlights: 270 BCE The astronomer Aristarchus discover the earth orbits around the sun. . 260 BCE 500,000 scrolls in the library in Alexandria are catalogued into 120,000 scrolls. 250 BCE A new instrument, the Organ, a mechanical device was used to pump air through a set of Musical pipes. 218 BCE Hannibal crosses the Alps with Elephants. 215 BCE China-Qin Dynasty joins up earlier fortifications to create the Great Wall of China 2nd Century BCE: Highlights 196 BCE The Romans after defeating Macedon declare that all Roman states are now free under Roman protection. 188 BCE: Ancient Sparta political system comes to an end. 170 BCE: Parchment is invented. 150 BCE: The earliest inscriptions in an American script are written by Zapotecs . 146 BCE: Carthage is destroyed by Romans ending the third Punic War. 121 BCE: Rome established a province in the south of France. 100 BCE: Venus is carved in marble and later become the ideal of female beauty. 1st Century BCE: highlights. 10 BCE: A period of stability was created under the rule of Augustus Caesar. 1 AD Christians declare this is the birth year of Christ. 14 AD: Augustus Caesar dies and his stepson Tiberius succeeded him to the throne, throwing the Roman empire into years of unrest as the family squabbles over power. 29 AD: Christian Jesus begins his ministry 31 AD: Jesus crucified. Peter become leader of his followers. 43 AD: Romans invade British overrunning the British tribes. Emperor Claudius joins his army at the Thames River, leading the final victory over the English tribes. 40 AD: Nero is proclaimed emperor after Claudius death. 79 AD: Vesuvius erupted burying Pompeii in ash. 100 AD: A network of Roman roads stretch from England to Egypt. 127 AD: Emperor Kanishka the Great began his rule of the Kushan Empire. 300 AD: Kushan Empire ended near the end of this century.

**Major development of Buddhism in Gandhara started when the Kushan Empire was under the rule of Emperor Kanishka the Great, (ruled from 127 AD - 150 AD) who was a great patron of Buddhism. His conquest and patronage of Buddhism played a major role in the development of the ‘Silk Road’ and the transmission of Mahayana Buddhism from Gandhara across the Karakoram Mountain Range to China.

Major source of research:England’s Oxford Press and Wikipedia web-sites: Ellie Gosselink - April 2017