Through the centuries, waves of invaders and migrants settled down in the land that is now Pakistan, influencing the locals and slowly being absorbed among them. Modern Pakistanis are a blend of Harappan, Indo-Aryan, Indo-Iranian, Saka, Parthian, Kushan, White Hun, Afghan, Arab, Turkic and Mughal heritages. Thus, the region encompassing modern-day Pakistan is home to the oldest Asian civilisation (and one of the oldest in the world after Mesopotamia and Egypt), the Indus Valley Civilisation (2,500-1,500 BC).
Pakistan is a land of love and hospitality. A land of spiritual endowment, it is also the resting place of many spiritual saints from all religions, be it the sufi mystics of Islam, the Hindu Tiraths dating back to 3,000BC, the disciples of Buddha attaining 'nirvana' buried under the remains of Gandhara civilisation, or Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. Pakistan has always whole-heartedly worked to preserve its historical sites - whether it is a church, Gurdwara, temple, mosque, museum, tomb, fort or shrine.
Born in the foothills of the Himalayas, Buddhism found avid followers, supporters and patrons in Gandhara, the Land of Fragrance. Pakistan became the custodian of rich collections of sacred relics and superb specimens of art and architecture from Buddhist civilisation. For example, the Buddhist ruins of Taxila are priceless treasures of immense interest to Buddhists and researchers around the world. Taxila became a centre of excellence when the first ever university was founded there in the 10th century BC.
Question 1: How has Pakistan's population been influenced by historical migrations and invasions?
Answer: Pakistan's population is a blend of various heritages including Harappan, Indo-Aryan, Indo-Iranian, Saka, Parthian, Kushan, White Hun, Afghan, Arab, Turkic, and Mughal due to waves of invaders and migrants settling in the region over centuries.
Question 2: What ancient civilization existed in the region now known as Pakistan?
Answer: The Indus Valley Civilization (2500-1500 BC) is one of the oldest Asian civilizations and existed in the region now known as Pakistan.
Question 3: What spiritual significance does Pakistan hold, according to the paragraph?
Answer: Pakistan is considered a land of love and hospitality and is the resting place of spiritual saints from various religions, including sufi mystics of Islam, Hindu Tiraths, disciples of Buddha, and Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.
Question 4: How does Pakistan preserve its historical sites, according to the paragraph?
Answer: Pakistan whole-heartedly works to preserve its historical sites, including churches, Gurdwaras, temples, mosques, museums, tombs, forts, and shrines.
Question 5: What role did Gandhara play in the spread of Buddhism?
Answer: Gandhara, known as the Land of Fragrance, was a region where Buddhism found avid followers, supporters, and patrons. It became the custodian of rich collections of sacred relics and specimens of art and architecture from the Buddhist civilization.
Question 6: What makes Taxila significant in terms of Buddhist history?
Answer: Taxila, known for its Buddhist ruins, is a center of excellence where the first-ever university was founded in the 10th century BC, making it of immense interest to Buddhists and researchers worldwide.
