Abstract
The first Greek expedition to Indus Valley (now Pakistan) focused on surveying the
Course of River Indus. The Geek came into contact with the people of this area for the
first Time in the rein of the Achaemenian emperor Darius I (522-486 B.C) who sent
Scylax of Caryanda to explore the entire river Indus. Scylax started his voyage from
the city of Kaspaptyros, and sailed down the River Indus and discovered the place
where it emptied itself into the sea. The Greeks as traversed by Scylax, named this
country, Indus. Subsequently, this name was applied to the whole of the South Asian
Subcontinent. The second contact was more vigorous and left more durable effects. It
was Alexander’s military campaign in 326 BC, which temporarily brought the entire
Indus Valley under Greek control. Though it was a short-lived phenomenon, but it
opened the gates for subsequent campaigners to control Asia. After this Bactrian
period Greek also control and ruled the Gandhara region with 39 kings and 03 queens.
The Gandhara art is totally derived from the Greek arts and nobody can deny this fact.
The Gandhara remained under the controlled of Greek empire for 186 years leaving
behind Greek’s impression on the Gandhara’s art and architecture. There are two
sects of Buddhism, one is Hinayana and Mahayana. The Hinayana did not encourage
the Buddhist Sculptures while the Mahayana did. When the Mahayana sects opened
eyes, the framework designed by the Greeks are already there, transferred through
inheritance, e.g. toilet tray found here in my excavation reflects the Greek mythology.
The influence of Geek is obvious on Buddha and Bodhisattva style and face, Mary
Making scene, Bachallinan scene and Dragon etc. The Architectural influence of Greek
is noticeable on Corinthian Pillars, Ionic Columns, and Judian Temple as seen in Taxila.
Greek influences on coins are also clear, with sophisticated cravings on the
Gandhara’s coins.
