IMAGES: Ancient Pakistan’s Pre-Islamic historical sites

[Pakistani E]

Here are some of the important pre-Islamic historical sites in Pakistan.

Mehrgarh (Balochistan)

A Terra-cotta female figurine recovered from Mehrgarh.

Located near Bolan Pass in Balochistan, Mehrgarh is considered among the earliest settled sites where farming was practiced. Mehrgarh was inhabited from approximately 6500 BCE, around 8500 years ago.
Discovered in 1974, tens of thousands of artifacts have been recovered from the site. It is also considered as precursor the much-known Indus Valley Civilisation. Archaeologists disagree if the practice of farming displayed at Mehrgarh was indigenous or adapted from other cultures.

Close to: Dhadar, Kacchi Plain.

Harappa (Punjab)

The ancient site of Harappa is 30 to 45 minutes drive away from Sahiwal and is considered a major archaeological site in Pakistan. The city of Harappa was inhabited from approximately 2600 BCE (4600 years ago) and is among the earliest settlements with a complex social system. The site was discovered by the British during construction of the Lahore-Multan railroad in 1857 but its significance was only revealed in the 1920’s. Harappa was among the largest settlements in the world at the time with roughly close to 24,000 people living in a 370-acre area.

In 2005, authorities halted the development of an amusement part close to the city after artifacts were unearthed during construction process, suggesting that a considerable portion of the city has not yet been excavated.

Amri (Sindh)

The site of Amri, located close to Hyderabad in Sindh is approximately 5400 years old (3600 BCE).

Mohenjo- Daro (Sindh)

Mohenjo-Daro is among the most famous archaeological sites in the world as it is counted among the earliest cities in the history of humanity. As such, Mohenjo- Daro has been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The city is estimated to have been built around 4500 years ago (2500 BCE). The city is also well-known for its planned layout and buildings built with fired bricks, an innovation at the time.

Close to: Larkana.

Takht-e-Bahi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

The Takht-e-Bahi is an ancient site located close to Mardan, KP and was a Buddhist monastery approximately 2000 years ago. Takht-e-Bahi has also been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Taxila (Dharmarajika Stupa & Jaulian Monastery), Punjab

The Dharmarajika Stupa, located in Taxila, is approximately 1800 years old. Bone fragments discovered at the site during excavation are believed to be those of the Buddha. Some of the artifacts were taken to Sri Lanka in 2016 for a tour. The Sri Lankan prime minister and approximately 9 million people visited to see the artifacts. Dharmarajika Stupa was also declared a World Heritage Site. The Dharmarajika Stupa was established by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.

World’s first University

The Jaulian Monastery is located in Haripur District, KP and is 1800 years old. Also a World Heritage Site.

It is believed to be a part of the world’s first university.

Mankiala Stupa, Punjab

Approximately 1800 years old, the site was built to commemorate Prince Sattva sacrificing parts of his body to feed seven hungry tiger cubs. Prince Sattva is believed by many to be an earlier incarnation of the Buddha.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/12/images-pakistans-pre-islamic-historical-sites/

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Great thread @Sher Shah Awan Thanks for sharing these fantastic images of our past. Much respect for having the intellectual vigour and clarity to use "Ancient Pakistan". I know this is off topic and I don't want to derail your thread but I can't help saying this. How we look at our past and what names we give to entities is all to do with reification. If we do not reify the term 'Ancient Pakistan' it will never gain currency. Don't forget non of the names used today were in existence then. All are 'retro-engineered' so given this fact we must reify our past in a narrative that is ours. Not by the British, not by Indians etc.

 

[Pakistani E]

Great thread @Sher Shah Awan Thanks for sharing these fantastic images of our past. Much respect for having the intellectual vigour and clarity to use "Ancient Pakistan". I know this is off topic and I don't want to derail your thread but I can't help saying this. How we look at our past and what names we give to entities is all to do with reification. If we do not reify the term 'Ancient Pakistan' it will never gain currency. Don't forget non of the names used today were in existence then. All are 'retro-engineered' so given this fact we must reify our past in a narrative that is ours. Not by the British, not by Indians etc.

I am glad you noticed the distinction I used, which as you can see, is not part of the original work. I have added that special word because I am a firm believer in owing, respecting and taking inspiration from our glorious history. I'd be damned if I let our future generations' inheritance be stolen by people who have nothing better to do.

An in-depth look at the above sites:

Mehrgarh Historical Facts and Pictures
Lying on the Kacchi plain of Baluchistan, Mehrgarh is an important Neolithic site that was founded approximately around 7000 BC. Located near the Bolan Pass, it is one of South Asia’s earliest sites where the evidence of farming and herding were found. An archaeological team under the direction of French archaeologist Jean-François Jarrige and Catherine Jarrige discovered this historic site in 1974, and since then excavation works were continued till early 21st century. A small village on the northeast corner of Mehrgarh, dated back to 7000 and 5500 BCE is considered as the earliest settlement on the site. There are six mounds of archaeological material found within the complex along with 32,000 artifacts.

Mehrgarh Map

Mehrgarh Map



Mehrgarh Pictures


Mehrgarh

Structure and lifestyle
The early structures show mud brick houses along with granaries. The earliest residents used local copper ore to make fashioned tools. Their large basket containers were lined with bitumen. Those early settlers also cultivated six rows of barley, emmer and einkorn wheat, dates and jujubes, as well as herded goats, sheep and cattle. The later period witnessed craft works, such as tanning, flint knapping, metalworking and bead production.

Mehrgarh Figurine

Figurines of the Mehrgarh


Mehrgarh Figurine Pictures


Mehrgarh Figurine

The site is now considered as a precursor to Indus Valley Civilization. It was occupied till 2600 BC, which the archaeologists have divided into several periods. Moreover, South Asia’s oldest ceramic figurines were found over here. Mostly those figurines were female, which were regarded as depictions of “mother goddess”. After the introduction of potter’s wheels in later period, the figurines exemplified more intricate designs and sophistication.

Mehrgarh Pottery and Tools

Mehrgarh Pottery Images


Mehrgarh Pottery Pictures


Mehrgarh Pottery


Mehrgarh Tools

https://www.thehistoryhub.com/mehrgarh-facts-pictures.htm

 

[Indus Pakistan]

I am glad you noticed the distinction I used, which as you can see, is not part of the original work. I have added that special word because I am a firm believer in owing, respecting and taking inspiration from our glorious history. I'd be damned if I let our future generations' inheritance be stolen by people who have nothing better to do.

The single biggest policy decision in Pakistan requiring the least effort but that would have given maximum dividends in terms of nation building and nurturing a strong national consciousness would have been to use the name 'Pakistan' on everything.

But that is not the case. If you read or listen you will notice a marked avoidence of the 'P' unless it has legal contours. Normally other synonyms like Asian, Desi, Apna, Muslim or even Indian will be used. And even if 'P' is used it will be hyphenated with 'India'. It's like we as country are unsure about ourselves and need other crutches to justify Pakistan. The result is brand Pakistan has failed to develop any soft power. All we have at the moment is convenient bin called 'Pakistan' where anything negative can be dumped. If a guy from Bakshali blows himself up in New york then it is 'Pakistani' terrorist. If a the Bakshali zero is mentioned then it becomes 'Indian'.

We must forcefully own up everything that is ours as 'Pakistani' and only then over time will we reify a narrative that is ours. Mention 'Pakistan' must conjure Harappa, Taxila, Mehr Garh, Gandhara, Sirkap etc etc

 

[Pakistani E]

The single biggest policy decision in Pakistan requiring the least effort but that would have given maximum dividends in terms of nation building and nurturing a strong national consciousness would have been to use the name 'Pakistan' on everything.

But that is not the case. If you read or listen you will notice a marked avoidence of the 'P' unless it has legal contours. Normally other synonyms like Asian, Desi, Apna, Muslim or even Indian will be used. And even if 'P' is used it will be hyphenated with 'India'. It's like we as country are unsure about ourselves and need other crutches to justify Pakistan. The result is brand Pakistan has failed to develop any soft power. All we have at the moment is convenient bin called 'Pakistan' where anything negative can be dumped. If a guy from Bakshali blows himself up in New york then it is 'Pakistani' terrorist. If a the Bakshali zero is mentioned then it becomes 'Indian'.

We must forcefully own up everything that is ours as 'Pakistani' and only then over time will we reify a narrative that is ours. Mention 'Pakistan' must conjure Harappa, Taxila, Mehr Garh, Gandhara, Sirkap etc etc

You really do make it difficult to disagree with you with your clear and concise analysis on most things. Here, once again, I agree with what you have said.

However, I don't think we Pakistanis should be waiting for the state or the government to do anything worthwhile. They have a hard time even looking after fertile government land from encroachers and thieves, I doubt they are capable of any decent initiative to espouse the brand image that we sorely need.

So I have taken it upon myself and I implore all other Pakistanis who have an interest in this to do the same, that is, to start this process of "Pakistanisation" of our history at an individual level, and where possible at a group/organisational level.

Case in point:


The forgotten Mankiala Stupa
Shiraz HassanUpdated October 26, 2014
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The Mankiala Stupa is located around 35 kilometres from Islamabad in the village of Mankiala near the G.T. Road. Mankiala is a union council of the Gujar Khan sub-district of Rawalpindi and well-known for the ancient stupa.

According to historians, Mankiala Stupa dates back to the Gandhara period, and there are several tales associated with it. One of the most fascinating tales about Mankiala Stupa is that Buddha sacrificed some of his body parts at this place to feed hungry tiger cubs.

Later, a stupa was built there as a memorial. According to the British Library, Mankiala Stupa was built during the period of Kanishka (128-151 AD) and first discovered by British traveler Mountstuart Elphinstone on his way towards Afghanistan in 1908. He also wrote a detailed account of his travels and mentioned this stupa in his memoir “Kingdom of Caubul” in 1815.

After its rediscovery, it was restored by the British rulers in 1891. There is another narrative about Mankiala Stupa. According to some historians, it was actually King Ashoka, the son of Bindusara and grandson of Chandra Gupt Mauria, who decided to embrace Buddhism as a religion after the Kalinga war in 261 BC as he was fed up with the bloodshed.

Later, he announced Buddhism as the state religion. He also passed an order that the remains of Buddha in Kapilvastu, Nepal, be cremated, and the ashes placed in 84 different boxes of gold or silver. These boxes were then buried in 84 different places in India from Patliputra to Kandahar and stupas were constructed there in a round mound form, having seven umbrellas over them - a sacred sign in Buddhism depicting seven heavens, seven skies, seven earths, seven skin layers, seven colours and seven musical notes.

According to some researchers, Mankiala Stupa is one of those 84 stupas. Today, the Mankiala Stupa seems like an abandoned place. An iron grill has been erected around the area to protect the stupa. Tourists, especially Buddhists from different countries, often visit the place.

The stupa is in a bad shape due to negligence and desperately needs some restoration work. Wild grass has grown on the stupa while the stone blocks of its base remain broken. The relics deposited in the stupa were found by Jean-Baptiste Ventura in 1830. But all these items are now in the British Museum, London.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1140468

 

[Indus Pakistan]

So everybody, please own 'Pakistan' by using it for everything ~ your more then welcome to avoid using it for anything negative. . And yes always use 'Ancient Pakistan' for history of Indus region prior to 1000 BCE.

"Pakistanisation"

Could not agree more with you. Maybe we need to open another thread on 'Pakistanisation' and ask admins. to pin it.

 

[Pakistani E]

Maybe we need to open another thread on 'Pakistanisation' and ask admins. to pin it.

Definitely.

I already have a few ideas on the most important concepts that would be required for such a process. If you get a chance, certainly do open a thread on this premise and I will gladly share my views, as your views are likely to carry more weight in the eyes of mods in terms of getting it pinned!