The Gandarans were inhabitants of the ancient Achaemenid Empire, roughly equivalent to the valley of the river Cophen (modern Kabul). Culturally, Gandara belonged to the Indian, not to the Persian world.

The northern stairs of the Apadana at Persepolis show a procession of people bringing tribute to the Achaemenid king, Darius the Great.
The stone Reliefs depict twenty-three gift-bearing delegations each in its own national dress, and separated from the next by a cypress tree, each group being led towards the central panel.