On May 15, 2024, at 19:00 Beijing time, Professor Ghani-ur-Rahman, Director of the Taxila Institute for Asian Civilizations at Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan, delivered an online academic lecture titled "Gandharan Legacies: Exploring the Intersection of History, Art, and Cultural Exchange in Contemporary Pakistan." The lecture was hosted by Dr. Liu Bei, the Ph.D. candidate at Institute for International and Area Studies, Tsinghua University.
Professor Ghani-ur-Rahman provided a comprehensive introduction to the historical context of Gandhara, highlighting its significance in the history of Pakistan. He showcased the origins and symbolic meanings of Gandhara art and its influence on modern Muslim art and architecture. The lecture also touched upon the archaeological discoveries of Buddhist sites and world heritage locations, such as the renowned Taxila Buddhist ruins, and the inspiration that Gandhara art has provided to subsequent generations. Prof. Rahman's lecture not only provided the audience with profound insights into the Gandhara civilization, but also promoted academic exchanges and cooperation between China and Pakistan in the study of Gandhara civilization.
The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which attendees expressed their gratitude to Professor Ghani-ur-Rahman and extended their good wishes for the collaboration between China and Pakistan in the study of Gandhara civilization. The event not only deepened the understanding of Gandhara civilization but also served as a bridge for cultural exchange and academic cooperation between the two nations.
Professor Ghani-ur-Rahman is a Pakistani expert in Gandhara art and archaeology. He earned his Ph.D. from Ca' Foscari University of Venice in Italy, majoring in Gandhara art, and currently serves as the director of the Taxila Institute for Asian Civilizations at Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan. He is the editor-in-chief of the "Journal of Asian Civilizations" and has authored works such as Iconographic Symbolism and Socio-Religious Background of a Worldly Mission. He has also published dozens of papers in journals including the "Journal of Social Research" and the "Quarterly Journal of Pakistan Historical Society". In 2024, he was selected for the Taihe Scholar Program at the Palace Museum.
