SYLLABUS

GS-1: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Context: Recently, Pakistani archaeologists uncovered rare coins and decorative stone artefacts during systematic excavations at a UNESCO-recognised site near Takshashila.

More on the News

• This discovery provides important insights into the early urban settlement of an extensive ancient civilisation.
• The findings were recorded at the ancient Bhir Mound, where archaeologists uncovered decorative stone artefacts dating to the 6th century BC and coins from the 2^nd century AD.

Key Findings of the Discovery

• Decorative stone: Decorative fragments made of lapis lazuli and other semi-precious stones were found. 

• Rare Bronze Coins: The coins bear the image of Emperor Vasudeva, who is recognised by historians as the last of the “great Kushan rulers” to govern the region.

• The obverse of the recovered coinage depicts Vasudeva, while the reverse features a female religious deity.

Significance of the Discovery

• Reaffirm Kushan dynasty’s Influence: These recent discoveries confirm that Takshashila attained the zenith of its political, cultural, and economic prominence during the Kushan period, particularly between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.

• The period also marked the rise of Gandharan art, a distinctive synthesis of Greek, Roman, Persian, and Indian traditions, with Takshashila serving as its core hub.

• Insights into Ancient Civilisations: Kushan coins serve as some of the most critical historical sources for understanding ancient South and Central Asia.

• Evidence of Long-Distance Trade: The discovery of the deep-blue lapis lazuli fragments provides vital clues regarding ancient supply chains.

• The presence of stones at Taxila points to long-distance trade links, particularly with Badakhshan in present-day Afghanistan.

About the Kushan Empire

• The Kushan Empire was founded in the 1st century AD by Kujula Kadphises, who united the Yuezhi tribes in Central Asia. 
• The empire reached its peak as a major administrative, commercial, and intellectual centre under Kanishka in the 2nd century AD, controlling large parts of Central Asia and northern India.
• It existed for roughly 200-250 years, leaving a lasting impact on trade, art, and culture in the region.
• The Empire declined around 300 AD, with its territories gradually absorbed by rising regional powers like the Gupta Empire.

Source
The Hindu
Economic Times
Deccanherald
Unesco
Britannica