Hundred of stupas and monasteries were erected for the propagation of the law of Dharma. Chinese and Korean travelers and pilgrims, who came here, recorded the existence of these sites. Survey conducted by the Directorate in the Mardan District brought to light over 400 sites, including stupas and monasteries reminding us of the great glory of ancient Gandhara. The Gandharan sites of Takht Bhai (which is on the World Heritage list), Sahri Bahlol, Jamal Garhi, Thareli, Kashmir Smast and Asoka Rock

Edicts at Shahbazgarhi are all located in Mardan District. The idea to open a museum in

the Mardan region emanated from the fertile mind of Sahibzada Riaz Noor the then commissioner Mardan Division, who took a practical step in this regard he established the Mardan Museum in the Town Hall Mardan in 1990.

Peshawar Museum provided 137 antiquities to start the display work. While some others were recovered from the law enforcement agencies and through excavations at the sites of Safiabad, Hund, Katlang, Rustam and Baja and were displayed in the main hall, measuring 50 x 22 square feet was completed in April 1991. Peshawar Museum donated 22 showcases for the display. With the establishment of the Directorate of NWFP in 1992 Mardan Museum came under its administrative control.

Presently Mardan Museum has a total collection of 413 artifacts including 258 Gandharan sculptures, 127 coins of Kushan, Later Kushan, Kushano-Sassanin and Hindu Shahi dynasties, 6 terra cotta animal figurines 5 mercury containers, 10 household objects and 13 agricultural tools. The subject matter of the Gandharan schist stone sculptures in the Mardan Museum are the queen Maya dream, the birth of Siddhartha, bathing scene, the great departure, the first sermon at Sarnath, the conversion of Kasyapa offering to Buddha, distribution of the relics, worship of the wheel of law, stupa and alms bowl, Buddha with worshippers and monks, Buddha seated under arches in meditation pose (Dhayana mudra),garland bearers. Corinthian, Persepolitan and Asokan capitals, broken architectural pilasters, harmika, dome, yashthi, chatras or umbrellas, spacers, floral and geometrical decorative elements from votive and large stupas, broken pedestals with Buddha and Bodhisattava feet, broken hands in different postures, figures of sheep, lion, horse, peacock, Ichthyocentaurs and a seated figure of Ardoksho. The stucco sculptures include a seated Buddha in meditation pose (Dhayana mudra), head of Buddha, Bodhisattva and common folk.

In October 2006 the District Government provided space for construction of the Museum on Mardan Charsadda road. This two story building consists of four halls is ready to house the antiquities displayed in Mardan Museum.