THE SHOW ON THE ROAD

Once upon a time, Roman glassware, Indian ivory, and Chinese lacquer travelled down or came up the same road. An ongoing exhibition at Delhi's Humayun's Tomb shows artefacts that travelled across continents and centuries, pointing to historical connections between different civilisations.

- PANKIL JHAJHRIA

AFGHANISTAN has historically been a crossroads of cultures, particularly due to its strategic position linking South Asia, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean world. Change of government did not stop traffic across the region; instead, they enabled the flow of ideas, art, and religious traditions widely.

From the time of Alexander the Great, Greek influence entered the region, mainly in cities such as Ai Khanum. This cultural blending continued during the Kushana period (1st-3rd century CE), when Afghanistan became part of major trade networks connecting the East and the West. Archaeological finds such as the Begram Treasure which includes Roman glassware, Indian ivory, and Chinese lacquer give clear evidence of the wide-ranging movement of goods during this time.

The exhibition, 'Shared Stories: An Art Journey Across Civilizations Beyond Boundaries' now on display at the Humayun's Tomb Museum, includes artefacts and themes that travelled along these routes over centuries, reflecting this lengthy history of trade and cultural interchange. Presented in collaboration with the Delhi's Italian Institute of Culture, Humayun's Tomb Museum, and Museo delle Civilta (Museum of Civilizations) in Rome, Italy, the exhibition will remain on display till June 1, 2026.