Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

[ghazi52]

Holy Trinity church, Karachi...

 

[ghazi52]

Parata raja coins from balochistan in early centuries and one thing which really struck was the continued tradition to be depicted in an indus style band with back showing the two ends of the band from the indus priest king statue

interestingly, an indian king is also depicted in the same manner from bactria

and indo greek coins from bactria are also depicted in the same manner.

 

[ghazi52]

Rehman Dheri

Rehman Dheri is a pre-Harappan archaeological site, dated about 4000 BC situated 22 kilometres north of Dera Ismail Khan in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The site is considered to be one of the oldest urbanized center found to date in South Asia. The low mound of this fortified town is visible from Bannu Road. This rectangular mound is covering about 22 hectares and standing 4.5 m above the surrounding field. The fortified town of about ten to fifteen thousand inhabitants shows sign of town planning. Pottery, and stone and metal tools were found. No seals were found and no writing was discovered, though some forms of engraving or scraping on the pottery were observed.

The site was first explored in 1971 by Dani and excavated by Durrani in 1976-82 and Durrani, Ali and Erdosy in 1990, Rehman Dheir brought new horizon and broadened the scope of the proto historic study of south Asia. The site is located ideally on the major caravan trade routes between South Asia southern Afghanistan eastern Iran Balochistan and central Asia The importance of the site can be judged from the fact extended the frontiers of the Indus valley to Northwest and early phase of the Harappan Civilization on the other. The salient feature of the Indus valley civilization like grid iron pattern town planning uniformed trade network, pictographic /ideographic writing system seals and sailings mass production of ceramic technology have been found in the early and proto form in Rehman Dheri. These ideas of the mature Harappan times were conceived first by the people of Rehman Dheri. The side lanes from either side dividing it in to regular blocks. The city was fortified with massive defense system of mud bricks having bastions and watchtower all the artifacts from Rehman Dheri is an ivory square shaped seal depicted with two mountain goat and a few symbols one side and two scorpions a frog and few symbols on the other.

The final occupational phase of the site is clearly visible on the surface of the mound by eye and also through air photographs. It consisted of a large walled rectangular area with a grid iron network of streets and lanes dividing the settlement into regular blocks. Walls delineating individual buildings and street frontages are clearly visible in the early morning dew or after rain and it is also possible to identify the location of a number of small-scale industrial areas within the site marked, as they are, by eroding kilns and scatters of slag. The surface of the mound is littered with thousands of shreds and artifacts.

The remains of Rehman Dheri are over 4.5 metres deep, and cover a sequence of over 1,400 years beginning at c.3,300 BC. The site represents following periods:

• 3300-3850 BC
  
  
• 2850-2500 BC
  
  
• 2500-1900 BC
  

Nothing much is available at the site except thousands of broken utensil remains and stone. Rehman Dheri is considered to have been abandoned at the beginning of the mature Indus phase by the middle of the third millennium BC. The plan of the Early Harappan settlement is therefore undisturbed by later developments and, as such, represents the most exceptionally preserved example of the beginning of urbanization in South Asia.

 

[ghazi52]

Rohtas Fort, Jehlum

Photo credit: Farooq's Photography

 

[ghazi52]

Chakdara Fort, North-West Frontier Province (KPK) - c.1920's

 

[ghazi52]

MOJ Garh Fort




Islam Garh Fort




Meer Garh Fort




KhanGArh Fort

 

[ghazi52]

Soanian culture of Soan Valley Pakistan is one of the oldest known cultures in the world.
Stone age clans moved along the soan River between 500,000 to 125,000 years ago and spread across the region to present day India, Iran and Nepal.
Soan River flows through the potohar region of Pakistan.
The soan people were hunter gatherers, hunting with stone tools.

 

[RIP Pak LAW]

keep it up @ghazi52, love your threads

 

[ghazi52]

Raja Gera's fortress in Swat

Amjad Ali Sohab

Loving for history, we were dragged to Shigai and Aadigram to the top of the mountain. While standing at the peak, we were observing the whole valley.

While looking from top, for a moment I feel myself as a king. After seeing places nearby and after seeing the whole valley, I was forced to think that it would not be less than a challenge to arrange fresh and sweet water here for the state even in this developed period. A thousand years ago, King Gera succeeded in dragging the fresh and sweet water of the river Swat to this peak? The story is interesting.

On the basis of a 6 km distance from the main city of Mingora, the city of Aadigram village is situated on the hill of Raja Gera over a hill, which also specializes in the archaeological sites. Standing in this ruined castle, today even a whole valley can be seen.

Aadigram is a historical village with a historical significance. Here, the scattered archaeological evidence argues that this area would have been the center of civilization and culture in some time. Regarding the historical status of famous reporter and senior journalist of Swat, Fazl Rabi Radi Odyssam, in his book 'Swat Tourist's Paradise' page No. 70, it is said that before the attack of Alexander , the Aadigram One Was a big city, People here were developed and moderate. Its evidence is found in the ancient arts of the Gera mountain and the archaeological site scattered in the aroma of the aadigram.

تاریخی قلعہ راجا گیرا کی طرف سفر جاری ہے۔

ایک روایت کے مطابق راجا گیرا اسی راستے سے جان بچانے میں کامیاب ہوا تھا

۔

پہاڑ کی چوٹی سے راجا گیرا کا قلعہ نظر آ رہا ہے

راجا گیرا کا قلعہ جس سے وادی کا نظاراکیا جاسکتا ہے۔



دوسری طرف فضل خالق اپنی کتاب ’ادھیانہ: سوات کی جنت گم گشتہ‘ کے صفحہ نمبر 83 پر سکندرِ اعظم کے حملے کی تاریخ 327 قبل مسیح رقم کرتے ہیں۔ اِسی کتاب کے صفحہ نمبر 84 پر درج ہے کہ، ’اوڈیگرام میں اوڈی قبیلے یا خاندان کا ذکر تاریخ کی متعدد اہم تحریروں میں بھی ملتا ہے۔ جیسن نیلسن کے تحقیقی مقالے میں کسی کی ذاتی کلیکشن سے ملنے والی ’خروشتی‘ رسم الخط میں لکھی ایک تحریر شامل ہے جس میں ’سینا وارمہ‘ نامی حکمران کا تذکرہ ملتا ہے۔ اس تحریر میں سینا وارمہ کو ’اُوڈی‘ (موجودہ اوڈیگرا) کا بادشاہ کہا گیا ہے۔ یہ سوات میں ساکاپارتھیئن یعنی کشان کا ابتدائی دور (پہلی صدی کا وسطی دور) ہے۔‘

راجا گیرا کا قلعہ

ایسے کئی برج ہیں جن کی مدد سے سیکڑوں سال بعد بھی قلعہ کے آثار باقی ہیں

راجا گیرا قلعہ کا اندرونی منظر

پہاڑ کی چوٹی پر دفاعی نکتۂ نظر سے بنایا جانے والا برج، جس کی مدد سے محافظ نیچے وادی پر نظر رکھتے تھے


Amjad Ali Sohab is freelance journalists. Likes in history and historical places

 

[ghazi52]

Harappa, Punjab

Harappa is an archaeological site in Punjab, about 24 km west of Sahiwal.

The site of the ancient city contains the ruins of a Bronze Age fortified city, which was part of the Indus Valley Civilization centered in Sindh and the Punjab, and then the Cemetery H culture. The city is believed to have had as many as 23,500 residents and occupied about 150 hectares (370 acres) with clay brick houses at its greatest extent during the Mature Harappan phase (2600–1900 BC), which is considered large for its time. Per archaeological convention of naming a previously unknown civilization by its first excavated site, the Indus Valley Civilization is also called the Harappan Civilization.

The civilization, with a writing system, urban centers, and diversified social and economic system, was rediscovered in the 1920s after excavations at Mohenjo-daro in Sindh near Sukkur, and Harappa, in west Punjab south of Lahore.

 

[ghazi52]

Hund

The Forgotten Archaeological Site

Pakistan is one of those countries that abound in archaeological remains of the vestige days. However, there are many a site that are not only obscured but no mention of those is made when talking of the history and archaeology. Besides Mohenjo Daro, Harappa and Taxila, there are many remains that still talk of their majestic days centuries ago. Take for instance Peshawar and its surrounding areas, there are more than 300 archaeological sites in Mardan and Swabi. Prominent among those are Takht Bhai, Ashoka’s edicts at Shahbaz Garhi, Jamal Garhi, Asota, Hund, Aziz Dheri, Ganguder, Mekha, Sanda, Safiabad, Kashmir Smast (cave), Torabaz Kaka stupa, Trali, Chanako Dheri and Tangu. The sites at Shahbaz Garhi (Mardan) and Hund (Swabi) have a unique importance from the archaeological point of view. At present, Hund, which was the capital of Hindu Shahi till the commencement of 11th century, is facing neglect.

The town of Shahbaz Garhi was once known as Po-lo-Sha or Varshapura, an important city of Gandhara. As per the legend the name Shahbaz Garhi has been derived from the saint Sakhi Shahbaz Qalandar. Alexander and most other invaders from the north had camped in the village before crossing the River Indus on their way to South Asia. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler, visited Shahbaz Garhi in 620 AD. He considered that it was here that the Buddha was born as Prince Wessentara. It was during his travel here that he saw a statue in blue stone of the Hindu goddess Parvati, the wife of god Shiva, on the Karamar. At the foot of the hill there was a temple of the god himself, to whom Pashupatas and Ash Smeared devotees paid their respects. The temple of Shiva and image of Parvati have vanished but the village still survives to remind visitors the story of the rise and fall of Hinduism and Buddhism in Gandhara, the ancient name of Peshawar Valley. To this miraculous natural statue of the goddess, a huge number of people used to come from all over India to pay tribute. Though the locals think the figure was self-wrought. Down below the Karamar there still exits the village where once stood the temple of the Hindu god Shiva. The temple was mentioned by Hiuen Tsang in the works. His account is very helpful if one is to understand the religious history of Gandhara, before the advent of divine of Islam. He has mentioned the temples, stupas and monasteries where Hinduism and Buddhism were practiced.

Shahbaz Garhi has been one of the important transit stations for all invaders and conquerors that came from the north. Every force regrouped here before crossing mighty Indus at the crossing point near Hund. It was on Hund crossing that personal bravery was tested. History has it that no one in word could withstand the onslaught of Genghis Khan as did Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad, the Khwarazm Shah, gulf between different powers and internal strife between Muslim notwithstanding. Khwarazm Shah moved to India in order to seek support with Genghis Khan closely chasing. Khwarazm Shah put his horse in the River Indus at Hund. Genghis Khan's marksmen took positions on the River bank ready to hurl their arrows. "Stop! No one will let the arrows fly," ordered Khan to his soldiers who were surprised because Genghis Khan was not known for forgiving. Genghis Khan called his sons and said pointing at Khwarazm Shah, "Look at the brave man."

Hund, situated on the right bank of the Indus river at a distance of about 50km from the Attock bridge, is believed to be the the ancient city of Embolima, founded by Alexander the Great. Hund is also famous for being the birthplace of the celebrated Sanskrit grammarian, Panini. In the 7th century A.D., many Chinese pilgrims visited Hund, as it was a revered place for the Buddhists of the period. Later in its history, it was made the capital of Gandhara by Hindu Shahi kings. In the beginning of the 11th century, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni conquered Hund. One can visit the remnants of this once famous city; floods have washed some of it away. Among the remains numerous coins belonging to the Indo-Scythion and Hindu Shahi Rulers, jewelry and other articles of immense historical value have been found.

The Karamar Mountain near the village is full of historical evidences and signs. One of the busy ancient trade routes of the ancient times, It starts from Peshawar and after passing through (Pushkalavati), Shahbaz Garha, it reaches Hund (Udabhandpura) - the Capital during the Hindu Shahi dynasty, onwards to the plains - passed through Lotus Valley. There is also a natural pass through the mountain that is known as Gailey-Kandao. It connects Sudam Valley and Buner. Karamar rises to a height of 3480 feet above the sea. Many Relics of Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas and monasteries are found standing near natural water sources in the Karamar. The excavations were first executed in the area by the British in 1871-72. Many of its Gandhara sculptures and ruins of the Hindu past have been taken away.The locals now remember the mountain as the location of the romantic legend of Yousaf Khan and Sher Bano, a modern Pashto ballad composed by Ali Haider of Ismaila village.

Today, Karamar is only a shadow of its glorious past. Many of its Gandhara sculptures and relics of the Hindu past have been taken away. In 1871-72, Colonel Hastings, the then Assistant Commissioner of Mardan, directed the digging and exploration of Sudam Valley by sappers. Another British officer, Lieutenant Maxwell conducted some excavation of the ruined buildings at Kotki on the Karamar. Later H B W Garrick visited the site in 1881-82 and noted a ruined temple and a monastery, with cells for the accommodation of monks. He also saw a broken statue of the Buddha with traces of gold at Uria, close to Kotki, which was excavated by the sappers.

A stair-risers relief from the Karamar is now in the Lahore Museum. It narrates Saddanta Jataka, the tale of the six-tusked elephant. As the story goes, the Buddha was once born as a marvellous six-tusked elephant. He lived happily in a forest with his two elephant wives. However one day, all that changed when he, unintentionally, shook a tree. Flowers, pollen and tender shoots fell on one of his wives. At the same time, the wind threw dead leaves, dried twigs and red ants on the other. This made the latter wife jealous who starved herself to death. She prayed to be reborn as a beautiful woman, which she did and went on to become the Queen of Banaras. Even as queen, she remembered how badly she was treated in her previous life. And therefore, wanted revenge from the Buddha who had ignored her in her previous life. To this end, the most skilled hunter in the land was hired and assigned to kill the king elephant and bring its tusks. The hunter set off on this mission of revenge and eventually found the elephant in the forest. He shot his poisonous arrow from a hidden pit. The injured beast surrendered to the hunter who cut off its tusks, and brought the tusks to the queen in her palace. He also related how the poor animal had generously offered its tusks. The queen was ashamed and died of a broken heart.

Recently, there have been efforts to excavate the sites at Hund to preserve the cultural and historical values and secure material for the proposed museum at Hund. This provide tourists a chance to enjoy a beautiful view of the River Indus and experience the traditional and ancient crossing point at Hund.

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

I say give all these forts around the country to the army. So that they can become inhabited again and dont fall into ruin.

 

[ghazi52]

I say give all these forts around the country to the army. So that they can become inhabited again and dont fall into ruin.

Excellent idea.

 

[ghazi52]

Derawar Fort: a 9th century human marvel on the verge of collapse

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan is a melting pot of cultures and civilizations. The Mehrgarh and Indus Valley Civilizations, the Gandhara, Arabs, Afghans, Mongols, Moguls, Persians, Turks and finally the British besides the indigenous customs and traditions have had a profound effect on the culture and traditions of Pakistan. The climatic conditions and different geographical regions from sea cost to deserts, plains to snow clad mountains have further magnified our culture. An onlooker would therefore find varying architecture, languages, dress and food as one moves from south to north, or from east to west.

​

Mehrgarh civilization in the foothills of Bolan Pass and arid Kachi plain of Balochistan province of Pakistan is the the earliest known farming settlement in South Asia, which once thrived around 7000 BC until the end of Indus valley civilization. Neolithic Mehrgarh consists of four mounds. The remains show that around 5100 BC, the Mehrgarh inhabitants constructed mud-brick structures. The remains of a large town spread over some 170 acres makes it the largest in the ancient world, being five times the size of the contemporary Catal Huyuk site in Turkey which has been called the largest Neolithic site in the Near East. It may be added that the entire population of Egypt was around 30,000 persons around 6000 BC, almost same as of Mehrgarh alone.

Stone sickles found at Mehrgarh point towards wheat cultivation. Conch shells from the Arabian Sea
(500 km distant) and lapis lazuli from Badakhshan dating back to period after 5000 BC indicate trade networks. By 3500 BC Mehrgarh had grown into an important regional craft center. Pieces of painted pottery and ornaments (right) and figurines representing both humans and animals have also been discovered recently from the site. In what could be one of the earliest examples of dentistry, scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the United States have found tiny, perfectly rounded holes in teeth found in Mehrgarh, which they suspect were drilled to repair tooth decay.

​

The habitation at Mehrgarh has been divided into seven periods, the first being the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period that dates to 7000 BC or even earlier. The site was abandoned between 2000 and 2500 BC during a period of contact with the Indus Civilization and then reused as a burial ground for some time after 2000 BC. It would not be wrong to conclude then that the Indus Valley civilization began neither in Mohenjo-Daro nor Harappa but at Mehrgarh, as the archeologists in the 1960s linked clues of Harappan genesis to Mehrgarh, when they found early indications of Harappan styles, specially the similarities in pottery designs.