INDIA-PAK-AFGHANISTAN-IRAN ANCIENT HISTORICAL CULTURAL LINKS ESTABLISHED

How GANDHARA's Afghanistan ( Kingdom Of Queen Gandhari Of Mahabharata Era ) Became KANDAHAR ---- Afghanistan’s Epic History starts when it was an important region of Akhand Bharat ( Ancient Hindustan ) called Gandhara. One of its most frequently mentioned cities in the world today is Kandahar, made infamous by Taliban. The earlier name of the city was Quandhar, derived from name of the region of Gandhara. It was always a Strategic site, being on main Persian routes to Central Asia & India. Hence, it has a long history of conquests. Kandahar was taken by Greek Alexander in 329 BC, but he lost Battle & surrendered to King Purushottam ( Porus ) & Chandragupta Maurya in 305 BC as described in Inscription of Emperor ASHOKA. It fell under Arab rule in the 7th century CE & under the Ghaznavids in 10th CE. Kandahar was destroyed by Genghis Khan & again by Turkic conqueror Timur, after which it was held by Mughals ---- Early reference in Vedas & Puranas, Gandhara was locus of ancient Indian-Persian interaction, a center of world trade & culture. It was a major Hindu-SIKH-Buddhist intellectual hub for centuries. The giant Buddhist statues recently destroyed by Taliban were in Bamiyan, one of the important Buddhist cities of ancient times ---- IRANIAN's ( PERSIANS ) were Originally ZOROASTRIANS who worshipped AGNI DEV - Fire Worship of AGNI Bhagavan - Ahura Mazda ( Avestan Atar ) most of whom were Killed & remaining Forcibly Converted to Islam by Arabs ---- There is also evidence of Followers, Devotees & Worshippers of Maa Devi, Durga & Kali in the same areas. Shaivism was also an important influencial ancient religion in this region.The worship of Zun is related to old shrine of SUN God ADITYA at Multan. The worship of Zun ( SHIVA ) was primarily Hindu ( Sanatana Dharma ). Gandhara was the trade crossroad & cultural meeting place between India, Central Asia & Middle East. Buddhist writings mention Gandhara's Kingdom ( Peshawar, Swat, Balochistan, Kabul Valleys & Kandahar ) as one of 16 major states of Northern INDIA at that time ---- The Gandhara region was very much culturally & politically a part of Hindustan. King Shakuni, brother of Gandhari, fought with Pandavas in famous Epic Historical Battle Dharma Yudh Mahabharata. The battle was fought in Kurukshetra, heartland of India. Gandhari was married to King Dhritarashtra. Economic & Cultural Exchanges between Gandhara ( Kandahar ) & Hastinapur (Delhi) were well Established & Intense --- Mehrgarh, located in this region & part of the Indus Valley civilization, is the oldest town excavated by archeologists Dating back to 8000 BC---- Places mentioned in Bhagwan Ram's Ramayana & Krishna Bhagavaan's Mahabharata like Kubha ( Kabul ) - Purushapura (Peshawar) - Luvkushpura (Lahore) - Mulasthana (Multan) - Gandhara ( Kandahar ) etc are very much Ancient Kingdoms of Akhand Bharat lived & inhabited by our Ancestors & Forefathers !!!