Hiatory of Pakistan

Prior to its Independence in 1947, History of Pakistan was an integral part of the history of India. Dating back to the ancient Indus Civilization, Pakistan history has a rich legacy of culture and civilization. The country is the cradle to some of the major civilizations of South Asia and serves as the gateway to countries of Middle East and Central Asia. Home to some of the most important archeological sites in the world, history of Pakistan facilitates tourism in Pakistan.

Mehrgarh in Baluchistan is one of the most important archeological site in the history of Pakistan. It is the place where the 9000 year old village life in South Asia was originated. The famous Indus valley civilization, one of the most ancient civilization of the world that flourished on the banks of Indus River. Places like Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal have immense importance in the history of the world. The flourishing Vedic age and the invasions of Persian and Greeks are some important periods in the history of Pakistan.
 The period of 3rd Century BC to 5th Century AD is the golden age in the history of Pakistan. The flourishing Gandhara Art and the efficient rule of Kushana kings have made the country a peace sanctuary. It was the period when the country became cultural hub of South East Asia. Ranging from art, literature and music- the country prospered in every possible way. Trade and commerce through the famous silk route increased the importance of the place manifold. Later, Pakistan came the rule of Gupta dynasty and Sindh was a province under it.

In the middle ages, Pakistan experienced the rule of Sultanate. The name of Sultan Mahmud of Gazni is one of the famous names. The vastness of his empire was a challenge to any of the neighboring kingdoms. Spanning from Kurdistan in the west to Samarkhand in east, the empire of Mahmud extended from Caspian Sea to Yamuna River in India. Although in India, Sultan Mahmud is infamous for the sacrilege of the Somnath Temple in Gujrat, his rule gifted the history of Pakistan and India historian Abul Fazal and scholars like Al Biruni.

During the Mughal rule, Pakistan became an important administrative center. The history of Pakistan got a boost during the British rule when the segregation of ‘Pakistan’ became the basis of Independence. The War of 1971 that took away Bangladesh is a big jolt to the history of Pakistan.