ENDURING GANDHARAN LEGACY: THE PERSISTENCE OF GANDHARAN ARTISTIC INFLUENCES IN PASHTUN CAPES OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

This paper examines Gandharan art and its impact on contemporary Pashtun society, particularly as it relates to the Gandharan effect on the contemporary capes worn by Pashtuns and other ethnic groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a practice that has historical roots in the Gandharan tradition. This artwork combines Buddhist and Greco-Roman elements in a distinctive way. The elaborate patterns and motifs that adorn Pashtun capes—a traditional headgear worn by Pashtun males from Afghanistan and Pakistan—evidence this synthesis of styles. The usage of geometric patterns on Pashtun headgear is one of the most obvious Gandharan influences. These motifs, which include circles, stars, and rosettes, are frequently placed in symmetrical patterns that capture the peaceful harmony of Gandhara.