Mardan Museum

Mardan is situated north of the Kabul River between 34° OS' and 34° 32' North and 71 (> 49' and 72° 24' East in the heart of Gandhara about 64 km from Peshawar and was a great centre of Mahayana Buddhism. Most of the important Gandharan sites (Takht Bhai, Jamal Garhi, Sahri Bahlol and Shahbaz Garhi are located in this District. A great volume of the Gandharan collection in the Peshawar, Mardan, Lahore and Karachi museums come from the sites located in the Mardan region. The discovery and excavation of the Sanghao Cave in District Mardan by Dr. A.H Dani in 1963 pushed the history of mankind in KPK as back as 40,000 years ago. King Asoka (3rd century Be) inscribed the creed of Buddhism on the rocks at Shahbaz Garhi, Mardan, and popularized the religion of peace and tranquility.

But it was during the time of Scythoparthians (1st century Be) and Kushanas (Istcentury AD) that the real expansion of Buddhism took place and a new era was ushered in. Hundred of stupas and monasteries were erected for the propagation of the law of Dhamma. Chinese and Korean travelers and pilgrims, who came here, recorded the existence of these sites. Survey conducted by the Directorate in the Mardan District brought to light over 400 sites, including stupas and monasteries reminding us of the great glory of ancient Gandhara. The Gandharan sites of Takht Bhai (which is on the World Heritage list), Sahri Bahlol, Jamal Garhi, Thareli, Kashmir Smast and Asoka Rock.


Presently Mardan Museum has a total collection of 413 artifacts including 258 Gandharan sculptures, 127 coins of Kushan, Later Kushan, Kushano-Sassanin and Hindu Shahi dynasties, 6 terracotta animal figurines 5 mercury containers, 10 household objects and 13 agricultural tools. The subject matter of the Gandharan schist stone sculptures in the Mardan Museum are the queen Maya dream, the birth of Siddhartha, bathing scene, the great departure, the first sermon at Sarnath, the conversion of Kasyapa offering to Buddha, distribution of the relics, worship of the wheel of law, stupa and alms bowl, Buddha with worshippers and monks, the wheel of law pose (Dharma charka mudra), garland bearers,