Pakistan, March 29 -- The South Asian stone craft tradition is one for the ages. From the majestic stone carvings of the great Buddha in Pakistan's Taxila to the ornate architectural marvels across the region, these masterpieces stand as testaments to the skill and creativity of the great stonecraft artisans of our past.

Indeed the Gandhara stone tradition, a distinctive artistic style that emerged in the ancient region of Gandhara, flourished under the rule of the Kushan Empire, which spanned from the 1st to the 3rd century CE. This tradition produced a diverse array of sculptures, reliefs, and architectural embellishments. Central to the Gandhara stone tradition was the depiction of Buddhist themes, including representations of the Bud...