Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

[Kambojaric]

DoAM carries out excavation work of Rawat Fort

Department of Archeology and Museums (DoAM) is successfully carrying out the excavation work of the majestic historical Rawat Fort, which was in dilapidated condition for the last many years. Rawat Fort is originally an ancient Sarai (Inn) situated about 11 miles from Rawalpindi towards Jehlum close to the Grand Trunk road and appears to have been built during the Sultanate period in early 15th century A.D.

“The department is carrying out the excavation work of Rawat Fort mainly to preserve the fort with damaged boundary walls, 19 ram-shackled rooms, three-domed altered mosque, graves and a deserted mausoleum”, Director Archaeology, DoAM, Abdul Azeem told APP.

The excavation work was started by team of DoAM after approval of PC-I for “Repair, maintenance and development of Rawat Fort” with the cost of Rs. 28 million. The excavation team has explored the remains which will be restored after excavation”, the official said. The biggest problem was of the encroachments from three sides of the fort, which is sheer violation of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) law that prohibits construction within 200 feet of the historical monuments premises.

The issue has not been resolved yet despite writing to the authorities in CDA for several times to remove encroachments at the fort site. However, the conservation of the fort will at least help protect this ancient site from further ruining as well as stop the drug addicts and beggar residing there through repair of boundary walls, Abdul Azeem said.

Rawat Fort had 45 rooms, out of which 19 ram-shackled rooms exist and others have fallen prey to intentional vandalism of private constructors who have merged the major parts of the rooms into their houses. These rooms once used by travelers of ancient era for staying. According to the description board outside the fort with half omitted words, the fort is associated with the name of Masud, son of famous Mehmood of Ghaznavi in 1039 A.D where he was arrested by his rebellious soldiers and eventually murdered in the fort of Giri near Taxila.

The fort is also associated with the name of Ghakhar tribe chief Sarang Khan who fell with his sixteen sons fighting against Sher Shah Suri and buried within the precinct of this monument, it says. DoAM, Islamabad protected this site under Antiquities Act 1975 but after devolution under 18th amendment of the constitution, Punjab government acquired it. The DoAM again acquired the site and started initial working on a plan for its maintenance and preservation. DoAM purchased the road linking the historical site with Grand Trunk Road but shopkeepers and roadside hawkers encroached that.

https://pakobserver.net/doam-carries-out-excavation-work-of-rawat-fort-2/

 

[Kambojaric]

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Sep, 2018 ) :Thanks to well-conservation, enhanced security and other relevant facilities have helped increased number of local as well as foreign tourists to Takht Bhai, an archaeological site in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Takht Bhai (Throne of Origins) in Mardan is considered the most well preserved Buddhist monastery and is one of six World Heritage sites in Pakistan.

A senior official at Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) on Monday said the ostentatious structure and imposing relics of this Buddhist monastery has been captivating a large number of locals and foreign tourists who have flocked to see the ancient site which dates back to early 1st century AD.

The site consists of numerous chapels and stupas sticking to the high, rocky spurs.

According to UNESCO, the site existed earlier than Buddhist period (2 BC to 8 AD) and was a Zoroastrian complex which was then converted into a Buddhist monastery.

It is dated to the 1st century BC. The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Locally today, the word Takht means throne or above or high and Bahi means water this name may have been given to the site as there are 2 water spring on the top of the site.

Other meaning of word Takht Bhai may have different explanations. In Avestan, takht means "capital" and bhai means "good", so the whole word means "the good capital".

The ruins are located about 15 kilometers from city Mardan in and about 110 Kilometers from Peshawar as well as Islamabad.

Presently, Takht Bhai is a town with a busy bazaar and a specially restaurants that serve a Kebab called Chapli Kebab. The surrounding area is famous for sugar cane, wheat, maze, vegetable and orchards cultivation.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/well-conservation-enhances-tourists-number-t-429341.html

 

[ghazi52]

Sher Singh Baradari
The historical Sher Singh Baradari is located in the east of China scheme at Kot Khawaja Saeed. Maharaja Sher Singh was born in 1805 in Gujranwala into a Sikh family of Sukerchakia misldars. At the time, much of the Punjab was ruled by the Sikhs under a confederate Sarbat Khalsa system and Afghans, who had divided the territory among factions known as misls. Sher Singh's father Ranjit Singh was the first Maharaja of the Punjab. He succeeded his father
at the young age of 12.

After several campaigns, his rivals accepted him as their leader, and he united the Sikh factions into one large country. Sher Singh was known as a person who did good works for the betterment of his people. He ruled for two and a half years only but is remembered for improving the existing system of governance. Sher Singh and his young son were brutally murdered by the Sardaran-e-Sindha Walia. After his death Rani Randhawa Singh and her family constructed their Samadhis near this baradari.

The arches are also in very bad shape and may collapse any time. The Auqaf department which is responsible for its maintenance, has constructed two pillars to save the baradari from collapsing.

The roof of the building has been demolished and its debris lies as such. The boundary wall is already gone. It is becoming a garbage dumping ground as the locals of the area throw garbage inside the baradari.

There is also a shrine of famous Sufi Saint Allama Mirza Syed Shah Bilawal Qadri in the premises of the baradari which used to host a Muslim festival in Lahore. The baradari is also known as Baradari of Shah Bilawal. Writers like Kanhaiya Lal Hindi and Justice Abdul Latif have mentioned this festival in detail in their researches. This festival used to take place in the month of December.

The Samadhi of Sher Singh, located on the premises lies in complete ruins as the domed structure appears to have been cut in half. The baradari itself is fast turning into a garbage dump as the Solid Waste Management department has constructed a waste enclosure here after demolishing one corner of the Baradari.

 

[ghazi52]

Archaeologists start research on culture of ancient Swat

International archaeologists are busy conducting research in Swat.

MINGORA: To understand the lifestyle, fashion and technological use in vitreous materials, ornamental culture and ceramics used in the ancient Swat, international archaeologists launched different research studies in Swat.

The international archaeologists from the universities of Italy and United Kingdom have launched three different researches with the scientific agreement between the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan (ISMEO) and the KP Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, with the aim to understand the use of technology, material, types and techniques in ceramics, ornamental stone beads, glass beads, bangles and other material used by the ancient people from Achaemenids to Kushanas living in the ancient Swat.

Professor Ivana Angelini from the Department of Cultural Heritage in the University of Padova, Italy, along with another scholar Cinzia Bettineschi said that they undertook the vitreous materials from Barikot in the framework of the Indo-Pakistani and Mediterranean glass technology and trade routes.

“The aim is to understand the evolution of this high-status craft, in terms of typology of the materials, compositional recipes and working/production techniques,” they told this correspondent.

They said that the ornamental objects from Swat showed a wide variability of colours, shapes and technological solutions which testified early contacts with the Mediterranean basin, but also a noticeable local taste in the choice of the most widespread typologies of bangles, beads and pendants.

Another researcher Mubariz Ahmad Rabbani, who has undertaken his PhD research on the stone beads of Barikot from the University of Reading, UK, said that he was investigating, for example, how the beads were manufactured and how they developed across at that periods.

“I am also trying to find out how the inhabitants of Barikot used the beads to adorn themselves and how they used them to express their identity.Gandharan beads especially from Swat have never been scientifically and comprehensively studied before. Thus this study will shed light on a presently unexplored chapter of Gandharan archaeology,” he said.

He added that the study would eventually highlight that Gandhara was indeed an important centre of international connections, diversity, openness and learning.

At the same time two young researchers, Emanuele Lant and Irene Caldana of the Padova University under the supervision of Prof Massimo Vidale have undertaken a research study on the ceramics of Aligrama Swat.

They said that their research was focused on typological study of the ceramics from Aligrama site which was excavated from 1966 to 1983.

The researchers thanked KP Archaeology and Museum Department director Abdul Samad and curator of Swat Museum Faizur Rahman for assisting them in their researches.

 

[Kambojaric]

Archaeologists start research on culture of ancient Swat

MINGORA: To understand the lifestyle, fashion and technological use in vitreous materials, ornamental culture and ceramics used in the ancient Swat, international archaeologists launched different research studies in Swat.

The international archaeologists from the universities of Italy and United Kingdom have launched three different researches with the scientific agreement between the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan (ISMEO) and the KP Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, with the aim to understand the use of technology, material, types and techniques in ceramics, ornamental stone beads, glass beads, bangles and other material used by the ancient people from Achaemenids to Kushanas living in the ancient Swat.

Professor Ivana Angelini from the Department of Cultural Heritage in the University of Padova, Italy, along with another scholar Cinzia Bettineschi said that they undertook the vitreous materials from Barikot in the framework of the Indo-Pakistani and Mediterranean glass technology and trade routes.

“The aim is to understand the evolution of this high-status craft, in terms of typology of the materials, compositional recipes and working/production techniques,” they told this correspondent.

They said that the ornamental objects from Swat showed a wide variability of colours, shapes and technological solutions which testified early contacts with the Mediterranean basin, but also a noticeable local taste in the choice of the most widespread typologies of bangles, beads and pendants.

Another researcher Mubariz Ahmad Rabbani, who has undertaken his PhD research on the stone beads of Barikot from the University of Reading, UK, said that he was investigating, for example, how the beads were manufactured and how they developed across at that periods.

“I am also trying to find out how the inhabitants of Barikot used the beads to adorn themselves and how they used them to express their identity. Gandharan beads especially from Swat have never been scientifically and comprehensively studied before. Thus this study will shed light on a presently unexplored chapter of Gandharan archaeology,” he said.

He added that the study would eventually highlight that Gandhara was indeed an important centre of international connections, diversity, openness and learning.

At the same time two young researchers, Emanuele Lant and Irene Caldana of the Padova University under the supervision of Prof Massimo Vidale have undertaken a research study on the ceramics of Aligrama Swat.

They said that their research was focused on typological study of the ceramics from Aligrama site which was excavated from 1966 to 1983.

The researchers thanked KP Archaeology and Museum Department director Abdul Samad and curator of Swat Museum Faizur Rahman for assisting them in their researches.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018

https://www.dawn.com/news/1434392

 

[ghazi52]

Just wish effort is put to make buildings look more in line with heritage and real architecture. IMO city officials need to involve Sikh and Hazara community in this project because most of the stuff was built by them.

 

[Georg]

sad to see such nice buildings in such a bad shape

 

[Kambojaric]

sad to see such nice buildings in such a bad shape

Unfortunately appreciation of history has not been very high on the list of Pakistanis, which is a huge tragedy as the nation is literally sitting atop historical gems. Nevertheless in recent years more positive signs are emerging. Parts of Lahore's walled city have been restored and similar activities are taking place in Peshawar at the moment. Ultimately its the centers prerogative to encourage preservation of historical sites and buildings. Not only do they help define a nation and encourage pride in ones culture and heritage, they also can be an easy source of income via tourism. With the security situation gradually improving in Pakistan, this should hopefully motivate the upcoming governments to at least pay a bit more attention to archeology and preservation of important sites.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Kambojaric]

Archaeology dept restores Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Raam

LAHORE: After being in a dilapidated condition for quite some time, Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Raam, located outside the Lahore Fort, has been successfully conserved by the Punjab Archaeology Department, Pakistan Today has learnt.

According to sources, the Samadhi needed to be conserved as it was a heritage and holy site for the Sikh community, which was getting ruined due to the lack of maintenance and ageing. They added that during the pilgrimage of Dera Sahib, several members of the Sikh community were disappointed because of its poor condition as well.

Sources further said that, previously, waist-high shrubs surrounded the Samadhi and some of its sections had collapsed. “There was no proper access to the site as well and it used to go unnoticed by the tourists owing to its dilapidated condition.”

After and Before

According to historical references, it is said that Bhai Vasti Raam was the spiritual guide of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was a witness of the persecutions that the Sikhs underwent till their ultimate rise to political power in Punjab, especially Lahore. He devoted himself to the study of medicine and became famous for his skill in the use of indigenous herbs.

Stories of his healing power and piety spread across the Sub-Continent and he was also believed to possess supernatural abilities. Bhai Vasti Ram died in 1802 at the age of 94. A marble Samadhi was raised near the Lahore Fort at the spot where he was cremated. Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to visit it on his death anniversary.

A historian, owner of Faqir Khana Museum and resident of the Walled City of Lahore, Faqir Saif, appreciated the efforts of conserving the Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Ram and said, “I think it is a good initiative taken up by the Archaeology Department as such historic and holy sites for Sikhs should be conserved and well kept.”

A tourist guide at Lahore Fort, Muhammad Javed, said that tourists had often asked about the structure but the access and condition of the structure were derelict due to which visitors could not go there. “The conservation of this Samadhi will surely add to the beautiful experience of Lahore Fort,” Javed added.

Punjab Archaeology Department Deputy Director Malik Maqsood told Pakistan Todaythat the marble Samadhi was a beautiful architectural specimen and unique monument of the 19th century (Sikh Period). “These structures, and others like Jain Mandir, faced the wrath of angry mobs after the disturbing Babri Mosque incident in 1992. This monument was severely damaged and the structure along with its decoration was ruthlessly plundered,” he said.

Maqsood added that a number of local and international Sikh associations as well as NGOs had requested the Archaeology Department to conserve and restore such monuments for the minorities.

“The major components of work included consolidation of structures, repairing of cracks, restoration of missing portions, marble slabs with carving and inlay work as per original, marble perforated grills, floor, ceilings, plaster, flooring, courtyard, doors and parapets.”

“Some hidden features like water cascades, pools and fountains were also discovered when the debris lying at the Samadhi since the British era was removed. The conservation has been completed and presently it is part of the newly-developed Greater Iqbal Park. The area in the front of the Samadhi has also been developed into lawns by the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA)”, he concluded.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/27/archaeology-dept-restores-samadhi-of-bhai-vasti-raam/

Diplomatic Corner: Eminent Korean historian arrives in Pakistan via Silk Road route

ISLAMABAD: Eminent Korean historian Dr So Gilsun has arrived in Pakistan, taking a pilgrimage route through the Silk Road, starting from Xian, China, and passing through Dunhwang, Urumqi, Taklamacan Road, Pamir, Kashkar, Kashkurgan, Kunjerab Pass, up to Hunza to visit and study the rich cultural heritage sites of the Buddhists in Pakistan.

Republic of Korea’s Ambassador Kwak Sung-kyu, on Thursday introduced Dr So Gilsun, saying that the Korean historian is not only an academic who has studied the Koguryeo era, but is also a devoted Buddhist researcher, who embarked upon a pilgrimage to arrive in Pakistan.

The envoy, while addressing the audience at a seminar titled ‘Hyecho in Gandhara: Footsteps of a Korean Monk in Pakistan’, announced that South Korea and Pakistan would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further enhance cultural cooperation between Korean Culture Heritage Foundation and the Department of Archaeology and Museum of Pakistan. The seminar organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea highlighted the historical and cultural linkages between the Korean and Pakistani people centuries ago.

National History and Literary Heritage Division Secretary Aamir Hasan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Tourism and Culture Department Secretary Shahid Zaman, Gandhara Art and Culture Association Chairman Mian Imran Masood, Pakistan-Korea Society President Sajjad Afzal Cheema and Dr Inkook Kim were also present.

Referring to the Korean historian, the ambassador said that when he first heard about his visit to Pakistan, he had no idea that the eminent Buddhist researcher would take a long route on Silk Road to arrive in Pakistan at this age.

“It was a one-month-long trip and must have been a hard journey for his age. It was such a hard journey as Hyecho, a Korean monk, did 13 centuries ago. Can you please give a big applause to this respectable Korean historian?” said the ambassador amid a standing ovation from the participants.

Alongside Dr So’s presentation, Dr Esther Park and Dr Muhammad Farooq Swati also made enlightening presentations. On top of that Prof Han Young Yong, a special guest from Korea, also performed a piece of Korean traditional dance, called ‘Sunbi Chum’.

Three eminent scholars, including Dr Muhammad Farooq Swati, Dr Esther Park and Dr So Gilsu, in their presentations at the seminar, shed light on the travelogue of the Korean monk Heycho who travelled around Pakistan in the 8th century.

The scholars also highlighted the impact of these early travels on the spread of Buddhism in the Korean peninsula and around the world.

Dr Swati presented insights into the importance of the KP region as a historical melting pot for cultures, traditions, artwork and architecture. Dr Park spoke about the memoirs of Heycho titled ‘Memoir of the pilgrimage to the five kingdoms of India’ which is one of the earliest recorded travelogues to vividly describe many areas of Pakistan in the 8th century.

Dr Park also suggested taking steps for increasing Korean Buddhist tourists to Pakistan. Dr So spoke about his recent travels across China and Pakistan during which he followed the ancient routes taken by the Korean monk Heycho.

The audience also watched the classical Korean Sunbi Dance performance by Dr Han Young Yong. Sunbi refers to the academic in Josun dynasty, who focused on studying with neither any official position nor rewards.

On the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Kwak Sung-kyu introduced a co-project for preservation and treatment of cultural relics which is progressing between the Korean and the Pakistan governments. He also committed and offered to further work together, on the federal or provincial government level, to enhance the cultural interactions and people-to-people exchanges in the coming days.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...rian-arrives-in-pakistan-via-silk-road-route/

 

[Kambojaric]

Walled-city Authority Planned To Preserve Heritage Sites: Atif Khan


Senior Minister for Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology, Museum and Youth Affairs Muhammad Atif Khan said Wednesday a walled-city authority would be set up to look after heritage sites in the metropolis and promote tourism and cultural activities.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Oct, 2018 ) :Senior Minister for Tourism, sports, Culture, Archaeology, Museum and Youth Affairs Muhammad Atif Khan said Wednesday a walled-city authority would be set up to look after heritage sites in the metropolis and promote tourism and cultural activities.

Addressing an international conference organized by institute of architects here, the provincial minister said the government was pursuing a multi-pronged strategy for giving impetus to the tourism sector and would establish yet another authority to upkeep and preserve historical sites including those of Buddhism in the province.

He said that archaeological and historical sites were the country's assets which need to be preserved to promote tourism and attract more tourists from within and outside the country.

Unfortunately, Atif Khan said, the tourism sector was neglected in the past but now the PTI government was working on war-footing to turn the tourism sector into income-making entity, generating job opportunities for the youth.

He said that he had assumed the office of tourism minister as challenge and time was not far off when this particular sector would be hugely contributing to the national exchequer, the provincial minister observed.

Besides other delegates, the conference was also attended by renowned architects from Turkey.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/walled-city-authority-planned-to-preserve-her-452194.html

 

[Kambojaric]

Archeology, Museums Dept Completes Digitalization Of 3500 Artifacts

Department of Archeology and Museums (DoAM) has completed digitalization of around 3500 artifacts through its Digitalization Center to provide electronic database for scholars to conduct research, preserve this cultural heritage and prevent illicit trafficking of archaeological objects

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) epartment of Archeology and Museums (DoAM) has completed digitalization of around 3500 artifacts through its Digitalization Center to provide electronic database for scholars to conduct research, preserve this cultural heritage and prevent illicit trafficking of archaeological objects.

The department working under National History and Literary Heritage Division was given task to digitalize 5000 selected artifacts in the initial phase which will be fully accomplished before the end of the year, Director (Archeology), DoAM, Abdul Azeem�while talking to APP.

The project of digitalization of the artifacts was started soon after establishment of digitalization center for documentation of the artifacts and archival material in the DoAM.

Abdul Azeem observed that preservation and documentation has always been a matter of concern for the academic research of the moveable and immoveable cultural wealth of the country.

The fragility of archeological material and lack of digital documentation of the artifacts in the national repository limits academic study and verification of record.

The digital archiving of the whole record of the archaeological artifacts in the custody of DoAM was direly needed for preservation, preventing it from illicit trafficking and providing data to the scholars for interpretive information, he said.

Abdul Azeem said the department will digitize the entire inventory with DoAM in phases which will be replicated by all the provinces so that a national inventory can be created.

It will enable the country to comply with the UNESCO Convention of 1970 i.e "Prohibiting and Preventing the illicit Import Export and Transfer of ownership of cultural property", he said.

The high resolution pictures of these artifacts and electronic database is the only way to preserve and project this rich cultural heritage of the country, he observed.

Abdul Azeem informed that the digitalized record of an artifact carries all necessary information about the object along with variety of 3-D images in different angles made through the latest cameras.

Referring to the importance of digitalization of artifacts, he said artifacts give evidence of a civilization's culture, heritage, and development over time and often date back thousands of years and are irreplaceable.

So, the preservation and protection of artifacts against damage or theft is always a challenge for museums and other conservation organizations, Abdul Azeem said.

He said the latest technologies of digitalization through 3-D images of the artifacts have contributed a lot for preservation of this cultural asset.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/archeology-museums-dept-completes-digitaliza-450630.html

 

[Kambojaric]

Pak, Swiss cooperation in archaeology agreed

Islamabad: Pakistan and Switzerland has agreed on cooperation in the exhibition, research and training segments of the archaeology and museum sector.

Under the agreement, the Rietberg Museum, Zurich, will help secure scholarships for young Pakistani professionals and students for higher education in the field of cultural heritage in Swiss Universities.

Also, there will be an exchange of experts, scholars, and trainings in all areas of museum activities, while joint research projects will be carried out for studying and documenting museum collections. The Rietberg Museum will provide short term courses, internships and residencies to Pakistani professionals in the field of archaeology, museology and cultural heritage management. Also, exchange visit of curators for studying and sharing knowledge about museum activities will also be arranged.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the department of archaeology and museums, Islamabad, and the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, for the purpose. Under the MoU, a two members Museum Rietberg delegation is currently in Pakistan to discuss corporation in exhibition, research and training.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/382678-pak-swiss-cooperation-in-archaeology-agreed

 

[Kambojaric]

KP Archaeology Department books two men for demolishing historic building

PESHAWAR: The Department of Archaeology and Museums has filed a case against two people for demolishing a century-old building in Peshawar despite the government’s objection, Geo reported.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act, a five-year jail term and fine of up to Rs2 million can be imposed on anyone who demolishes any building that is over 100 year old.

A no-objection certificate to demolish the leased building was issued by the deputy administrator of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Asif Khan, officials told Geo.

Police said the case has been filed at Khan Razzaq police station, in which the ETPB deputy administrator and lease holder Shahab Kamal have been nominated.

The accused have been charged under different sections of the KP antiquities act.

The building situated in Sarafa Bazaar of Peshawar was given on lease to Kamal in order to keep it intact. It was initially used to residential purposes but was later handed over for commercial activities before it was demolished.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/3...oks-two-men-for-demolishing-historic-building

 

[ghazi52]

Khem Singh Haveli,
Potohar