SAARC Tourism.org

Pakistan has strong cultural and historical roots. Half a dozen civilizations have flourished here and left their imprints. Historically, Pakistan is one of the most ancient lands known to man. Its cities blossomed even before Babylon was built: its people practised the art of good living and citizenship long before the celebrated ancient Greeks.

The amazing history of Pakistan can be traced back to at least 2500 BC, when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley Area. Excavations have brought to light evidence of an advanced civilization existing even in the most ancient times. Pakistan owes its many influences to the countless visitors to the region. Around 1500 BC, the Aryans came and influenced the Hindu civilization; later, the Persians occupied the Northern regions from the 6th century BC up to the 2nd century AD, while the Greeks were also here, arriving in 327 BC with Alexander the Great of Macedonia.

In 712 AD, the Arabs set foot in what is now Pakistan somewhere near modern Karachi and ruled the lower half of Pakistan for two hundred years. It was during this time that Islam took roots in the soil and influenced the life, culture and traditions of the people. 300 years later the Muslims from Central Asia arrived and ruled almost the whole Subcontinent up to the 18th century AD before the British arrived to take control.