Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

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Pakistan Archaeological Sites

Pakistan, though young in the comity of nations, has a rich and varied history spanning a period of over 9000s. The people of Pakistan today have been around for a long time...much before 1947...much before the medieval Mughuls...much before Muhammad bin Qasim...much before Islam...and much before the emanation of Vedic cultures. Pakistan has a history of over 9000 years, all of which have a unique link with the Indus River; Balochistan's Mehrgarh (7000 BC), Khyber Pakthunkhwa's Rehman Dheri (4000 BC), Punjab's Harappa (3000 BC) and Sindh's Mohenjodaro (2500 BC) combined have more than 50,000 rock carvings and over 10,000 inscriptions.

Many other heritage sites ranging from the Neolithic period in present-day Gilgit Baltistan and the the ancient Sharda University in Azad Jammu & Kashmir are also worth mentioning. Pakistan is an ancient land in world history. One of the oldest remains of human activity are found in the Soan Valley of the Potohar region in Punjab. The antiquity of these relics of the Stone Age is estimated at about over 2 million years old. Still within the Stone Age, in Balochistan, we find the remains of a stone age man, who was succeeded through the Mesolithic Age by the people of the Neolithic period. Signs of a continuous process of human activity and the hesitant steps of Neolithic and Chalcolithic/Bronze Age communities towards civilization have been found at Mehrgarh (8000 BC) but somewhere around 2700-2500 BC, this and other settlements began to disintegrate, possibly as a result of migration by people towards the Indus River. This process coincided with the emergence and extension of settled or urban life in the greater Indus Valley, culminating around 2300-1500 BC, in the mature Bronze Age 'Indus Valley Civilisation' represented by the sites of Moenjodaro in Sindh and Harappa in Punjab. They are renowned for being one of the most well developed early urban civilisations in human history.

Following the decline of the Indus cities and the arrival of the Aryans in this region, around 1800-800 BC., at Pirak, Balochistan, there are indications of the use of iron by the communities of the region, along with extensive cultivation of rice, sorghum and millet. The fall of the Indus Civilisation was probably caused by Aryan tribes round about 1500 BC. They were pastoral societies which developed into the Rig-Vedic or early historic city-states. Successively, the territories now constituting Pakistan were conquered by Darius-I of Persia, the Mauryan Great King Ashoka, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and Kushans. The Gandhara region in northern Pakistan flourished from the time of the Persian conquest (600 BC to 500 AD) to the invasion of the White Huns. Almost all the invaders favoured Buddhism and Buddhist cultural traditions flourished in the region. One of the most prized art forms of Pakistan 'the Buddhist Art of Gandhara' reached its zenith during the reign of Kanishka.

After the conquest of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim in 711 AD, Islam gained firm hold in the area. From the 10th century on wards, Ghaznavis, Ghoris, Khiljis and Tughlaks ruled over the Indus until the invasion of Timur, who paved the way for the great Mughal Empire. This empire lasted until the War of Independence of 1857. The Early Muslim rulers of the subcontinent kept the border open for Muslims, which resulted in the spread of Islam and the establishment of Muslim settlements throughout the region.

This era has given Pakistan much of its rich ethnic and cultural heritage. The realisation of the two nation theory on the basis of religion saw its dawn in the subcontinent with the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim. Subsequent Muslim rulers came from Persia and Central Asia, with entirely different cultures, resulting in a harmonious fusion. With the passage of time, two nations developed with a different outlook on life, language and literature, customs and legal system, arts and architecture. The Muslims ruled the subcontinent until the establishment of the British Empire, which lasted until 1947. After Independence in 1947, Islamic traditions and values continued to be a defining force in the collective and individual lives of the people of Pakistan.

There are a number of sites in Pakistan that were once home to great and ancient civilizations. The sophistication of their cultures and times can still be observed in the ruins and remains that can be found at many locations here. These are of great interest to archaeologists as they afford a view into the past and shed some more light on how life once used to be for the inhabitants of these lands.

 

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Here’s a list of some particularly prominent areas:

Mehrgarh

The civilization found in Mehrgarh was amongst the first in the world to establish the practice of agriculture, keeping of livestock and organized communal life with a village structure. It lasted for 5000 years till 2000-2500 B.C. after which the ancient dwellers seem to have migrated to other areas, speculated to be Mohenjodaro and Harappa.

It was previously thought that the earliest settlements in South Asia were in Mohenjodaro and Harappa, the best known sites for the Indus Valley Civilization. However, in 1979, the timeline of civilization found in Pakistan was pushed back by more than 4000 years by the discovery of the signs of a civilization at Mehrgarh, about 30 kilometres from the town of Sibi, in the province of Balochistan. The remains are dated to 7000-9000 years ago and therefore immediately precede the Stone Age.

The timeline for this area has been divided into four to seven periods. The earliest of these is the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period of 7000 B.C. and possibly even before that. Mehrgarh was deserted between 2000 and 2500 B.C. and reused as a burial ground for some time after 2000 B.C. It would therefore make sense to say that the Indus Valley civilization has its roots here as well since archaeologists have linked Harappan genesis to Mehrgarh, after the discovery of some early indications of Harappan styles, especially the similarities in earthenware.

The Neolithic Revolution seems to have taken place around 8500 – 6000 B.C. Livestock and agriculture started and life became more settled in permanent housing. Remains of painted pottery and ornaments representing both humans and animals have also been excavated recently from the site. And in what could be one of the earliest known evidence of dentistry and knowledge of dental procedures, scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia have found tiny, perfectly rounded holes in teeth in the region which they think were drilled to repair tooth decay. None of these come from a special tomb, suggesting that oral health care was available as a general right.

Kot Diji

Around 3500-3000 B.C, another civilization came into being while the Indus Valley Civilization was just underway. Located about 22 km south of Khairpur in the Sindh of province, Pakistan, the Kot Dijli site is some 60 km away from Mohenjo-daro.

Excavated in 1955, the site’s culture is characterized by the use of the red-slipped globular jar with a short neck painted with a black band. During the peak of this civilization, the region was divided into two. The first part was a Citadel for the elites, separated by a defensive wall from the general public. The second was a Lower Town with mud houses. Terracotta found from this site has characteristic horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and triangular patterns. Remains of jars, balls, bangles, beads, pots and figures have also been discovered at the site.

The ancient site is speculated to have been burned down, though the reasons for this end are yet to be discovered.

Mohenjodaro

The name literally translates to Mound of the Death. Situated 350 miles from Karachi, the capital of Sindh, Mohenjodaro is one of the most important archaeological sites in Pakistan. It was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and one of the world’s earliest major urban settlements. The civilization existed from 2500 B.C. to about 1500 B.C. after which it disappeared. Mohenjodaro was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

The citadels found here seem to have once housed palaces, granaries, and grand baths used for ablutions. The town was laid out in rectangular patterns. Houses were two-storied and had drainage systems that led into brick-lined sewers.

Trade and agriculture formed the backbone of the ancient economy. Many copper, bronze, and clay fashioned remains have been found. An important find are the seals. These are engraved with animal figures and a line of pictograph script. On some seals there is a tree or the Hindu god Shiva drawn. The script has yet to be deciphered.

It is mostly accepted that the civilization fell in 1500 B.C. to invading Aryans.

Harappa

Harappa is situated 35 km from Sahiwal and around 250 km from Lahore in the province of Punjab. It was from here that the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization were first discovered that eventually led archaeologists to Mohenjodaro. Though some of the remains of Harappa were destroyed, several cemeteries have been excavated to reveal much about the Harappan culture.

 

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There seem to be have been a series of cities. With a similar layout and designs of citadel and granaries, Harappa looks like Mohenjodaro and appears to have been most populated around in 2000 to 1700 B.C. as well. The economy appears to have been agriculture and trade oriented.

Many of the dead were buried wearing a variety of jewelry and other ornaments, such as rings, along with earrings and bangles. Some of the females had anklets of tiny beads and girdles studded with semi-precious stones.

Taxila

Taxila is a town situated about 32 km away from Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan. The name is translated to “City of Cut Stone” in Sanskrit. The civilization here is dated back to the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and in 2006 it was said to be the top tourist destination in Pakistan according to The Guardian.

Taxila can be considered to be amongst the earliest universities to ever exist. This may not be highly accurate in the modern sense, as there was no particular structure to the imparting of Education. The teachers were not paid and had complete autonomy as to the choosing of students and subjects, without any centralized syllabus or control from the ruling authorities. There were also no examinations taken or degrees awarded.

The main ruins of Taxila are divided into three major cities, and each corresponds to a different period in time. The oldest of these is in the Hathial area, which yielded surface shards similar to red burnished ware and these remains may be from an era as early as the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 6th century B.C. The second is found at Sirkap and was built in the 2nd century B.C. The last city is situated at Sirsukh.

Rehman Dheri

It is a pre-Harappan site, and dated about 4000 B.C. It is located 22 km away from Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. It is considered to be one of the oldest urbanized centers in South Asia that we know of.

It appears to have once been a large walled rectangular city with a grid iron network. The location of a number of small-scale industrial areas can be seen occupied by eroding kilns and scatters of slag. The surface is strewn with thousands of shreds.

There are not many remains at Rehman Dheri except for thousands of broken utensil bits and stone. It seems to have been left by its inhabitants in the middle of the third millennium B.C. The plan of the Early Harappan settlement is therefore completely undisturbed by later developments in civilization that took place at the other sites and hence represents the beginning of urbanization in South Asia.

 

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worlds first toilet system were started in Mohenjo Daro

Areal view of city Mohenjo Daro

 

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Thor Heyerdahl (in his book "The Tigris Expedition") already discovered that below Mohenjo Daro's Buddhist stupa was a stepped pyramid-like structure, much like the Mesopotamian ziggurats.

Interestingly, Imhotep, one of Egypt's first architects (he was pharaoh Djoser's vizier, also a reed-boat builder, a hieroglyph developer and a physician) constructed the first stepped pyramid (the Djoser stepped pyramid) but in phases.

He started with a temple like bottom base made from baked brick, that may have been meant for fire/sun rituals (fire-altars Skt. 'peru' - 'fire'). This base was later expanded and 'built on top of' with the next stepped levels.

There are reasons to believe that there was a great influx of Indus ideas into Egypt brought about by Indus Valley migrants who entered into Egypt via a number of wadis from the Red Sea and from the Nile delta.

Third century BC stupa discovered at Taxila

TAXILA: A stupa dating back to the 3rd Century BC was discovered at the ancient Buddhist site of Badalpur near Taxila during excavations carried out by the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations (TIAC) of Quaid-i-Azam University.

The stupa measuring 25x25 was discovered on the southern side of the main monastery with a centre water tank at the ancient Buddhist site. Coins, pottery and metal objects have also been excavated from the site by graduate and doctorate students of the TIAC. The students were led by the institute’s director, Professor Dr Ashraf Khan, Assistant Professor Dr Sadid Arif and Coordinator Mohammad Ibrahim.

Professor Dr Ashraf Khan told that the newly discovered monastery was built in Kushan workmanship style known as ‘diaper masonry’, consisting of thin neatly placed layers of schist interspersed with large blocks of stone as well as semi-ashlar masonry.

He said the cells of the monastery are plastered with mud mortar, the first of its kind seen in the Taxila Valley.

In response to a query, Dr Khan said the discovery of metal objects showed the craftsmanship of the people living in the area between the first and fourth century.

Dr Khan said six copper coins from the Kushan period have been discovered in the excavations. He said that according to the carbon study of the newly discovered stupa carried out by the University of Wisconsin-Madison dates it between the 3rd century BC to 1st century AD.

He said during the last season of the excavation, a good number of antiquities such as a bust of Buddha in stucco, copper coins, bones, charcoal, iron objects and pottery were discovered.

The first excavation at the site was carried out in 1916-17 by Natisa Aiyar, superintendent of Frontier Circle, while the second was carried out from 2005 till 2009 by Federal Archaeology in collaboration with Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations, Quaid-i-Azam University.

He said five seasons of excavations had been successfully conducted by the institute at this ancient Buddhist site.

The most remarkable discovery was an iron nail and animal bones which revealed that Gandhara people knew the use of different metals and that Buddhists used to eat meat, said Dr Khan.

“History of Taxila should be rewritten in the light of the new and substantial evidence obtained,” he said.

Dr Khan said despite limited resources, the university had planned to excavate and preserve the whole site.

 

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Archaeologists discover layers of Indo-Greek city in Swat

Archaeologists excavate Indo-Greek and Saka-Parthian structures at Bazira, Swat. — Dawn photo

MINGORA: Archaeologists in their fresh excavations here at Bazira, Barikot, have discovered large layers of the Indo-Greek city with weapons and coins as well as important pottery forms imported from Greek Bactria and from the Mediterranean area in second century BCE.

Indo-Greek coins discovered during the recent excavation at Bazira, Barikot, Swat. ─ Courtesy Italian Archaeological Mission in Swat

Dr Luca Maria Olivieri, head of the Italian Archeological Mission in Pakistan, told Dawn that during their recent excavation in April-June his team unearthed some very important discoveries in Bazira, Swat.

The team was formed by Italian and Pakistani archaeologists, including Elisa Iori of Bologna University, Cristiano Moscatelli of Naples University and Amanullah Afridi and Syed Niaz Ali Shah of the KP Directorate of Archaeology And Museums. Excavation trainings at Barikot are funded by the Pakistan-Italian Debt Swap Programme.

“Very little is known in the archaeology of the sub-continent about the material culture of the Indo-Greek. However, this time we discovered at Barikot ample layers associated not only to the Indo-Greek city (when the settlement was encompassed by the Defensive Wall, 2nd BCE), but also to the pre-Greek city, the Mauryan settlement (3rd BCE),” he said, adding that outside the Indo-Greek defensive wall extensive evidence of the proto-historic village (Gandhara Grave Culture; 7th-8th century BCE) were also found.

Indo-Greek coins discovered during the recent excavation at Bazira, Barikot, Swat. ─ Courtesy Italian Archaeological Mission in Swat

He said that during the recent excavations they also discovered a large late-Kushan Temple with four pillars on the northern part of the excavated area (3rd century CE). “This is the third coeval public cultic space found in the late city, and it is confirming the existence of Buddhist architecture, which has nothing to do with the mainstream stupa-cum-viharas layout of the contemporary Buddhist complexes. Vice-versa, these new architecture have more in common with Central Asian coeval examples and antecedents,” he added.

He said that during the excavations the archaeologists also discovered that all the pre-Greek layers were artificially destroyed and obliterated along the Defensive Wall at the time of its construction, to make space to the fortification, revealing conspicuous traces of the Iron Age village (7th BCE).

Dr Luca said that his team was currently excavating one hectare with a stratigraphy from 7th BCE to 3rd CE in Bazira. The area corresponded to circa 1/12 of the entire city. “The KP government is about to acquire all the excavated areas and a large buffer area around them. We are really grateful to the efforts of the provincial department of archaeology and the government,” he said.

Terming the archaeological site of Barikot one of the largest and most important sites in future, he claimed: “I foresee that in future Barikot will become one of the largest and long-lasting excavation projects in Pakistan (30 years so far) if not in the entire sub-continent. It already represents the only Indo-Greek city excavated at that scale, and one of the few examples of a Kushan urban settlement scientifically excavated in South Asia.”

http://www.dawn.com/news/1267322/archaeologists-discover-layers-of-indo-greek-city-in-swat

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Maps of the Indo-Greek Kingdom (centred around the Potohar Plaeteu and KPK), with their capitals at Taxila, Sagila (Sialkot) and Pushkalawati (Peshawar). Kapisa/Alexander in the Caucauses (modern Bagram) was also a major Indo-Greek city.

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The Grandeur of Gandhara: The Ancient Buddhist Civilization of the Swat,
By Rafi U. Samad

A coin of Menander below. It shows Menander on one side and the Greek goddess Athena. The script around the the two is Kharosthi thereby emphasising the fusion of east and west in this region. For those of you who dont know Kharosthi was the indigenous script of the Gandhara region, and was based on the Aramaic script of the Middle East (Aramaic being a sister tounge of Arabic that was spoken by Jesus).

 

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Ancient Buddhist monastery in Barikot attracting crowds

MINGORA: The second-century double-dome vihara, a Buddhist monastery, at Balokaley in Kandak valley, Barikot, is attracting a large number of tourists, architecture students and archaeology researches.

Located 8.1km from Barikot, the archaeological site, a masterpiece of ancient architecture, is located high on the mountain and is visible from a long distance.

According to archaeologists, the site was first visited by a Hungarian-British archeologist, Sir Aurel Stein, in 1926 and then hastily excavated by Burger and Wright in 1938.

Now protected, the site has been looted by vandals and smugglers for almost a century.

Restored and partially excavated, the site, which was acquired by the KP government of late, provides visitors with a clear understanding of the original layout featuring a tripartite monumental terrace with the shrine flanked by two stupas in ruins, supported by a walled terrace as well with the amazing hospitality of local community.

“The site is featured by the landmark monument of the Great Shrine, the oldest example of double-dome Gandharan architecture. Chronology of the site is supported by radiocarbon dating one wooden beam of the shrine (palosa wood or acacia modesta) back to the end of first century or the middle of second century CE). The shrine with its cella, corridor and double dome is astonishingly well preserved for the standards of Gandharan architecture,” said Dr Luca Maria Olivieri, head of the visiting Italian Archaeological Mission.

He added that it was the only double-dome structure of the ancient Buddhist era left in South Asia.

Carla Biagioli, an Italian architect and heritage specialist, who visited Balokaley Gumbat of late, said she was happy to see the site well preserved and protected. “Protection and conservation of the monuments is a very important step to promote the cultural values. The restoration of Balokaley Buddhist shrine has demonstrated the potentiality of attractiveness of the area from cultural and natural point of view,” she told Dawn.

She said the venue of the Buddhist shrine was really amazing and scenic, while the area presented a specific living cultural landscape including traditional settlements and typical wood-stone-mud habitat, botanic interests and rock art elements.

“The eye-catching site having rich culture and religious heritage is attractive for international tourists if durable peace prevailed in the area,” she said.

Tourists and architecture students visit the site not only to have a look at the architectural landmark but also to enjoy the breathtaking view of the monument.

“On one hand, the double-dome structure constructed with stone masonry left me amazed and on the other, the view of the area was so beautiful that it gave me inner peace,” said tourist Iftikhar Ali.

The archaeological area, which is just five kilometers from Bazira site, is part of a 12 km light tourist trail network marked and provided with safe water points and shelters.

The trail crosses two valleys and touches several rock painting and carving sites in the pristine breathtaking environment.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1269867/ancient-buddhist-monastery-in-barikot-attracting-crowds

 

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Sirkap - Taxila:
The city of Sirkap dates back to around 180BC. It was built by the Greek King Demetrius and was the main city in the region. Most of the major archeology sites in Taxila are based around this city of Sirkap. It is considered as the World heritage site since 1980, The relics of Sirkap city lies few km away from the Taxila Museum. The area is mostly associated with Buddhism and its ruins but Sirkap city is suppose to be built by the Greco Bactrian king Demetrius.

Road leading to the Archeological site of Sirkap

The word "Sirkap" means severed head, and is the name of the mythological demon that feasted on human flesh and killed the hero Rasalu, that was said to have lived on the site. It was the second city of Taxila after Bhir Mound site.

Notice boards at the entrance of Sirkap

The city architect/design plan is based on the grid plan of a Greek architect, urban planner Hippodamus the city consists of one main avenue and fifteen perpendicular streets, covering a surface of around 1200x400 meters, with now ruined surrounding wall of 5–7 meters wide/thick and 4.8 kilometers long.

Water hole/Well at the entrance of Sirkap

Sirkap flourished under various regimes, from the Greeks to the Parthians and finally the Kashanas, and only lost its importance after King Kanishka of the Kushan dynastry founded the nearby city of Sirsukh.

Sirkap was excavated in the early twentieth century under the leadership of the British archaeologist Sir John Marshall. Marshall employed many workers over the course of thirteen excavation seasons, and the result is the largest horizontal excavation of an urban site in all of South Asia.

Sirkap - Taxila

NOTE: The information quoted above is taken from various online articles and sources together with what is available on site and information in Taxila Museum.

 

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Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation

Base of the column of sandstone placed in front of Jandial temple.
Taxila is known as the cradle of Buddhist civilisation, with numerous Buddhist sites. But few know that in heart of the great Buddhist civilisation there stands a Zoroastrian temple known as the Jandial Temple.

The Jandial temple dates back to 1st century BC, standing on an artificial mound, north of Sirkap City.

Fragments of column and pilasters made of sandstone built in front of Jandial temple.

Stairs leading to Jandial temple — a pure Greek style of architecture.

The resemblance of this temple to classical Greek temples is striking. The structure of the temple is in limestone and kanjur with plaster on the façade, patches of which are still intact. Kanjur is a porous form of sedimentary stone, used in Gandhara. Some large columns and pillars are constructed with massive blocks of sandstone.

Built in the Scythio-Parthian period, this is believed to be the temple described by Philostratus in his Life of Apollonius of Tyana. According to A.G Lone, a former curator of Taxila Museum, Philostratus may have spoken of this temple when he says “They saw, a temple in front of the wall, about 100 feet in length and built of shell like stone. There were brazen tablets on which were portrayed the deeds of Porus and Alexander”.

Behind the main building is a set of stairs that leads to a platform where a Parthian fire Sanctuary probably existed in the 1st century BC.

The outer wall of Jandial temple. Having been built in 1st century BC, the wall still stands tall and strong.

A board erected at the site of Jandial temple welcomes visitors with information about the site both in English and Urdu.

Late veteran scholar and historian A.H. Dani, in his book ‘History of Civilisations of Central Asia’ notes that “the remains of a Zoroastrian fire temple were shown from Jandial, said to have been built by the Indo-Parthians”.

Mahmoodul Hasan Shah, assistant director in the federal directorate-general of archaeology and museums, quoting Dr A.H. Dani, said: “The Jandial temple was found at the same place where Alexander the Great erected his tent.”

He said that the Greek rulers of Taxila performed religious ceremonies of their own faith at this temple.

The front view of Jandial temple.

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It has been disputed whether the temple was only a fire temple or not, and the reality is that it was probably used by multiple groups. As Ehsan Yarshater writes in 'The Cambridge History of Iran'

As for the temple of Jandial near Taxila, in use from the 1st century BC onwards, the dispute as to whether it was a Zoroastrian or non-Zoroastrian fire temple (notwithstanding its Greek ground-plan and Greek coloumns) will in all probability be resolved when it is realised that both groups used it.

 

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Standing stones in Yusafzai Distt Swabi KPK (Pakistan).
Date: 1865

Asota Megaliths of Shewa village in Swabi are perhaps one of the rarest and oldest surviving man-made features of the KP province. Often referred to as the “Stonehenge of Pakistan” the standing stones are believed to date back to the Achaemenian period (550-330 BC).

The researchers have associated the circle of stones, each stone approximately 10 feet high, with the philosophy of sun-worshippers of that time. It was a revered site and there may have been two other such ‘sun temple’ sites in the nearby area in the past, however, the Asota Megaliths have remarkably survived the ravages of time to this day. Many interesting myths and superstitions in the local folklore are connected with this curious circle of stones.

One legend recounts that once there was a marriage procession travelling from one village to another when they were ambushed by outlaws on the way. Fearing dishonour at the hands of the robbers the females in the party sought divine help, and they were petrified in their rock state that very instant. Locals identify different stone slabs with bride, groom and other members of the marriage procession.

The site was previously protected by the Federal Archaeology Department and has been transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Archaeology recently. This lesser-known wonder has tremendous tourism potential and is in need of urgent preservation and upkeep because of its unparalleled significance.
Felton Smith

 

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Credit .... Bleed Green​

@Bleed_GreenPK

Jaulian stands as the remains of a Buddhist monastery dating back to the 2nd-5th century CE, situated in District Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, UNESCO granted Jaulian the status of a World Heritage Site in 1980.

The site, once thriving, witnessed abandonment, possibly linked to economic challenges following White Hun invasions in the 5th century CE.The Directorate of Archaeology & Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has implemented special measures to safeguard these sacred historical sites and foster religious and heritage tourism in the province.

Throughout the year, Jaulian extends a warm welcome to tourists, providing a distinctive glimpse into our rich history.

 

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Discovery of pre-Buddhist monument sheds new light on Swat’s history​

Fazal Khaliq
December 18, 2023

A view of the newly-unearthed temple in Bazira, Swat

SWAT: International and national archaeologists have unearthed a pre-Buddhist sacred monument dating back to 4th century BC, the century in which Alexander invaded Swat, during the recent excavations in Bazira Barikot area of the district.

The excavations are conducted by the Italian Archeological Mission in Pakistan (ISMEO and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) in joint cooperation with Dr. Abdul Samad and the staff of DOAM KP including students from local universities and the Jahanzeb College.

Dr Luca Maria Olivieri, the director of the mission and leader of the excavation team, said that although the exact nature of the structure remained elusive, it was pretty evident that it was initially built around a natural sacred space, potentially associated with elements such as a spring, a Naga shrine, or a sacred tree.

“During the first wave of Buddhism’s spread in Gandhara, around the 3rd century BC, in the era of Ashoka, the monument underwent significant transformations,” he said. He said that the celebrated inscriptions by Ashoka on the boulders of Mansehra and Shahbaz-Garhi and Dharmarajika Stupa of Butkara, spoke volumes about widespread promotion of Buddhism in Ashoka’s time. It was the period when the pre-Buddhist shrine of Bazira was converted into a Buddhist temple, he added.

Archaeologist says it also offers a rare glimpse into Gandhara’s religious and architectural evolution

He said that archaeological evidence also pointed to the construction of an Indian-style stupa just outside the temple entrance during that period.

“The interior of the temple, particularly the central cell, underwent modifications during this phase. Though the specific purpose of the cell remains ambiguous, it was an important place of worship. Terracotta figurines and remnants of incense burners discovered on-site emphasise its importance as a cultic space,” said Dr Luca.

He said that further alterations were introduced by the Indo-Greeks, who constructed an enclosure around the temple, a walk-able corridor. Notably, the Odiraja rulers, in the mid-1st century BC, added a vault to the enclosure. “The circular cell within this complex structure housed a stupa, a focal point of reverence that endured until the monument’s later stages,” he said.

Dr Luca said that the corridor surrounding the circular cell was filled in a final chapter of modifications during the late Odiraja or early Kushan period (around 70-90 AD). “A podium was erected, crowned by a new raised circular cell adorned with a distinctive round vegetal roof, constructed around the same stupa built at the Odiraja’s times. A staircase featuring inscribed steps made ‘in honour of the father and mother, in honour of all Buddhas’ provided access to the podium,” he said.

The archaeologist said that radiocarbon dating substantiated the chronological timeline of those transformations. The monument, now identified as a Buddhist sacred space, remained in use with various adaptations until the 4th century AD.

“This remarkable journey through time, meticulously unveiled by modern archaeological techniques, offers a rare glimpse into Gandhara’s religious and architectural evolution, enriching our understanding of its cultural tapestry,” said Dr Luca.

Italian archaeologists have been working in Bazira Barikot since 1987. They have unravelled various phases of the history and civilisations. Presently, they focus on the terraces of Bazira’s acropolis, delving into the Ghaznavid phases, where a trove of evidence spanning from the Bronze Age to the Indo-Greeks promises to rewrite Swat’s historical narrative.

“Venturing into the lower city, we are set to unravel the intricacies of urban planning. The exploration of the network of roads connecting the city walls to the centre of the ancient city promises to provide insights into the layout that once echoed the hustle and bustle of ancient life,” said Dr Luca.

Crucially, the team has embarked on a journey through the geological epochs, studying large late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits at the Barikot site.

“The meticulous examination has also uncovered climatic nuances, ranging from optimum phases, such as the zenith between 400 BC and 200 AD, coinciding with the city’s peak and the flourishing of Gandhara art, to arid phases and climatic crises,” he said.

Dr Luca said that a pivotal revelation emerging from the sediment studies suggested a radical shift in understanding local geography.

“The fabled lakes, intricately woven into Buddhist legends and traditions dating from the Vedic period to Pashtun folklore, are now believed to have been situated much further downstream, possibly between Mingora and Barikot,” he said.

Anticipated next June, the archaeologists said that the forthcoming excavation reports for 2022-2023 were poised to deepen their understanding of Swat’s rich history, offering a glimpse into the fascinating tapestry of cultures that shaped the ancient landscape. As the sands of time continue to reveal their secrets, Barikot stands as a beacon of exploration, rewriting the annals of Swat’s past with each careful excavation.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2023

Discovery of pre-Buddhist monument sheds new light on Swat’s history

Archaeologist says it also offers a rare glimpse into Gandhara’s religious and architectural evolution.

www.dawn.com

 

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Nawab Mian Khan, the son of Nawab Saad Ullah Khan, served as the Prime Minister during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Nawab Saad Ullah Khan, also known as Mian Saad Ullah Khan, hailed from Chiniot and, despite being an orphan, his religious commitment and eagerness for knowledge led him to Lahore, where he enrolled in a Madrassa near Wazir Khan Mosque.

Similarly devoted to the Mughal cause, Nawab Mian Khan's loyalty was noteworthy. His demise in 1671, under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, was a profound loss felt by the royal community who held great affection and respect for him.

As the Prime Minister, Mian Saad Ullah Khan left an indelible mark on Lahore and Chiniot, with notable landmarks such as the Shahi Masjid of Chiniot, Haveli Mian Khan in Rang Mehal, and Pathran Wali Haveli in Lahore. He became a revered figure among courtiers, with historians documenting the praise bestowed upon him by Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb in the royal court.