Book Review: Buddha in Gandhara - Af-Pak region's forgotten history

A richly researched travelogue along the Buddhist corridor in Afghanistan and Pakistan reminds readers of the vibrant pre-Islamic heritage of the region

Buddha in Gandhara

Author: Sunita Dwivedi

Publisher: Rupa

Price: Rs 795

Pages: 328

Words can set us free to travel vast distances in the realm of our imagination, even if our physical reality seems tied to lockdowns and night curfews. This is what I experienced while reading Sunita Dwivedi’s book Buddha in Gandhara, which blends archaeology and art history with faith, legend, economics and international relations. It offers a refreshing vantage point to examine the past and present of India’s neighbourhood.
 
The author is a Silk Road traveller, photographer and independent researcher. She writes, “Gandhara, comprising the Northwest Frontier regions of Pakistan and