Dr. Samad has taken on a very formidable task in trying to identify what is commonly referred to as “Hinduism” in the region of Gandhara. The concept of a single religious tradition called “Hinduism” did not exist during the time period that he is studying. In this book he has successfully worked back from what some people call “Hinduism” today to trace out the roots of specific ideologies and iconographic representations in the past. In his approach to this subject, Dr. Samad has been careful to provide the reader with the references to the many earlier scholars who have studied the topic, but also challenges some of the earlier approaches and suggests new ways to interpret the patterns seen in the material evidence.

1. Religion. 2. Hinduism. 3. Gandhara.