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This book is the revised and updated version of the one published by the author in 2000 under the title "Buddhist Paintings in Gandhara" which focused mainly on the frescoes discovered in the Peshawar Valley, ancient Gandhara. However, since this first publication, archaeological discoveries have resulted many others which have also brought to light new clues about the art of Gandhara paintings. These paintings are recently discovered by researchers, mainly by the author himself, in the different regions of Gandhara which remained historically under the strong influence of Buddhism from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE. This monograph includes not only the frescoes discovered so far in the region but also many other painted objects, drawings and inscriptions depicted mainly inside rock shelters. Such discoveries have therefore led the author to re-examine and analyse these paintings and to make them all available in a single corpus and with a new approach.
List of contents
History of Art in Pakistan - An Introduction.- Gandhara, Buddhism and the Buddhist Art.- Paintings in Rock Shelters.- Paintings in Buddhist Shrines.- Buddhist Period Painted Vessels.- Skill and techniques and paintings.
About the author
M. Nasim Khan is Professor at the World Arthistory Institute (WAI), Shanghai International Studies University, and his research focuses mainly on Gandhāran studies. He obtained his doctorate with distinction from Sorbonne University, Paris. Prior to joining WAI, he served as Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Peshawar and at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He is also founder of the journal Gandhāran Studies. His published books include: Buddhist Paintings in Gandhāra (2000), Treasures from Kashmir Smast—The Earliest Shaiva Monastic Establishments (2006), Kharoshthi Manuscripts from Gandhāra (2008), Coins from Kashmir Smast—New Numismatic Evidence (2008), The Sacred and the Secular—Investigating the Unique Stūpa and Settlement Site of Aziz Dheri (3 vols., 2012), and Kashmir Smast—The Earliest Seat of Hindu Learning (2 vols., 2018). In recognition of his outstanding achievements in education and research, he was selected for the Higher Education Commission’s Best University Teacher Award and one of the highest Pakistan National Civil Awards, the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.
Summary
This book is the revised and updated version of the one published by the author in 2000 under the title "Buddhist Paintings in Gandhara" which focused mainly on the frescoes discovered in the Peshawar Valley, ancient Gandhara. However, since this first publication, archaeological discoveries have resulted many others which have also brought to light new clues about the art of Gandhara paintings. These paintings are recently discovered by researchers, mainly by the author himself, in the different regions of Gandhara which remained historically under the strong influence of Buddhism from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE. This monograph includes not only the frescoes discovered so far in the region but also many other painted objects, drawings and inscriptions depicted mainly inside rock shelters. Such discoveries have therefore led the author to re-examine and analyse these paintings and to make them all available in a single corpus and with a new approach.
