Threads of Time: Exploring the Permanent Influence of Gandharan Art on the male and Female Shawls of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study examines the enduring influence of Gandharan art on the traditional shawls of the Pashtun people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, worn with pride by both men and women. Using primary observation and secondary research, it traces the evolution of the shawl from its depiction in Gandharan sculptures to its continued role in contemporary Pashtun society. The analysis particularly focuses on the Chail or Salara shawl of Swabi, whose dotted patterns resemble those seen on Greek vases and Gandharan reliefs, suggesting a Hellenistic artistic origin later adapted into local traditions. Beyond its practical use, the shawl symbolizes dignity, identity, and cultural continuity, reflecting the deep connection between ancient art and modern heritage. This study thus highlights how visual motifs from Greece to Gandhara have endured through centuries, shaping the aesthetic and social fabric of Pashtun culture today.

Keyword: Gandhara legacy, Shawls, Veil, Pashtun women