Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

[ghazi52]

Buddhu's Tomb Lahore

On the south of G.T. Road, opposite the University of Engineering and Technology, lies a dilapidated tomb known as 'Buddhu kaMaqbara'. The tomb had an arched gallery and stood in an enclosed garden with a gateway, of which no sign remains. The tomb stands on a platform of masonry, the building itself being of quadrangular form, with an arched entrance on each side.

Constructed with massive brick masonry, each side of this square building is punctured with a central pishtaq opening flanked by two slightly recessed arched panels. The zone of transition of the square chamber to the hemispherical roof is expressed above the chamber in an octagonal drum, on which a dome on a high neck is placed, resulting in a somewhat overpowering gunbud (dome). Glazed tiles in blue and yellow decorated the roof of the lofty building. Signs of floral designs in mosaic can still be seen on some of the yellow tiles. Blue glazed tiles in chevrons can also be seen on the apex of the dome. The arches are decorated with paintings of different colors, but only faint traces of these decorations are now visible.

Traditionally, the structure is attributed to Buddhu, a potter belonging to Shah Jahan's reign. Buddhu's father Sudhu is said to have had a flourishing kiln trade during the reign of Jahangir, supplying bricks for all the important structures and palaces built by the imperial family and grandees of the court. However, the kiln was made unserviceable and its fire extinguished for ever, when a holy man named Abdul Haq, a disciple of Hazrat Mian Mir, was turned away on a wintry, rainy night from the warmth of the kiln fire.

Later researches point towards the structure being the tomb of the wife of Khan-e-Dauran Bahadur Nusrat Jan, an amir or grandee of the Mughal court. Khan-e-Dauran himself is also reputed to have been buried here on his death in 1643. At his death, he held the rank of 7000 personnel and 7000 horses. As is the case of other similar structures, the tomb is likely to have been set amidst a large garden.

During the Sikh rule, the area was occupied by the summer house of General Avitabile, the French general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, although no evidence of this has survived. The sepulcher was a centre of activities during the inter-Sikh wars, when Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Hira Singh in turn collected Khalsa (Sikh) troops here with the intention of laying siege to Lahore.

 

[ghazi52]

January 15, 2019

World Heritage Site faces risk of losing ‘endangered’ status.

THATTA: A two-member reactive mission of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) is to visit the Makli necropolis next week to ascertain whether the 15 recommendations of the UN’s specialised agency for better maintenance of the heritage site were implemented or not.

The reactive mission would specially visit the 15th century shrine of Jam Nizamuddin-II alias Jam Nindo (1443-1509) which had developed wide cracks and is crumbling.

 

[ghazi52]

Saidu Sharif Stupa.

 

[ghazi52]

Fossils Found in Pakistan

Pakistan's land mass is rich in fossils and remains of old animals and civilizations. The recent discovery of fossils dinosaurs and other sea-related fossils has opened a new vista for the geologists and fossil experts. Jhelum in upper Punjab and Barkhan in Balochistan and Dadu in the Sind have been the areas where some discoveries have been made.

The dinosaur fossils found in Pakistan are believed to be the those of Baluchitherium (Indricotherium Transouralicum), a gigantic hornless plant eating rhinoceros like animal. "Baluchitherium" means "beast from Balochistan" in Pakistan, where fossils attributed to Paraceratherium have been discovered.

It lived in Asia during the late Oligocene and early Miocene epoch of the Tertiary Period, 20-30 million years ago and went extinct 10 million years ago. It had an estimated shoulder height of nearly 8 m (26 ft) and a weight of about 10 tons, and is believed to have been the largest land mammal of all time. t stood 8 m (26 ft) high at the shoulders, 12 m (39.5 ft) long with a skull about 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, its limbs were long and massive, and it weighed about 20 tons. Its long neck and huge, pillar like legs enabled to browse among the higher branches of trees. The fact that Baluchitherium would have had to consume as much as 2 tonnes of fodder a day has led the French team of paleontologists to believe that the Balochistan of today was a very different place 20 million years ago. The area that is today largely desert and is amongst the hottest places on earth is thought to have been heavily forested at the time when the Baluchitherium roamed the area.

The most complete skeleton remains of Baluchitherium have been found by a team of French paleontologists, led by Professor Jean-Loup Welcomme of the Natural History Museum in Paris after a hectic search operation spread over 5 long years. The fossil was discovered in the remote region of the Dera Bugti Hills in Balochistan.

Fossils of Whale have also been found in Pakistan. These fossils are said to be those of the Early Eocene, about 50 million years ago. This whale was about 6 feet (1.8 m) long and had small, vestigial rear flippers and a pointed tail (it had no flukes). The nostrils were at the tip of the snout (like land animals, not modern-day cetaceans). The whale has been named " Rodhocetus". The ankle bones indicate a close relationship of early whales to hooved land mammals such as hippopotami and pigs. Forefeet retain hooves on the central digits, but hind feet with slender webbed toes indicate that Rodhocetus was predominantly aquatic. The fossil remains of these mammals suggest they lived primarily in the water, but where able to pull themselves up on the shore rather like modern day seals. Perhaps the most important aspect of the new fossil discoveries is that they include the bones from the fore and hind limbs including the astragalus and cuboid (ankle) bones. The astragalus was the real clincher. This bone is part of a unique 'double-pulley' skeletal structure seen only in artiodactyls and fossil whales. The presence of characteristic ear bone fossils provides further support for the family relationship, the researchers believe.

Pothohar Plateau in Pakistan was once the home of the Soan civilization, which is evidenced by the discovery of fossils, tools, coins, and remains of ancient archaeological sites. The area has its links back to the Stone Age. Some of the earliest Stone Age artifacts in the world have been found in the Potohar region, with a probable antiquity of about 500,000 years. The crude stone implements recovered from the terraces of the Soan carry the account of human grind and endeavours in this part of the world to the interglacial period. The Salt Range has many Paleobotanical Anomalies that bog the minds of the scientists /geologists and question the age of the salt formation of these ranges. Thus the fossils found here remain under discussion and controversies.

Recently a number of fossils of fish, plants and other organisms have been found in a place said to be the largest fossilized coral reef in the world. The fossils have been found at Bunjo in the Kirthar mountain range near Gaji Shah, some 50 kilometres away from Dadu city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The reef contains several identified fossils, including fish, sponges, snails and flower plants. Experts say there is a treasure of fossils on the slopes of the Bunjo mountain. Shafqat Wadho, an irrigation engineer, discovered the mountain formed of fossils during a visit to the Kirthar range. Mr Wadho claims that the living organism had been fossilized millions of years ago and that the site was actually fossilized coral reef, once a part of an ocean bed. The area was spread over 2.5 square kilometres, which makes it the largest area in the world where fossils are found in such large quantity - in fact it looks like an open natural geological museum of an era dating back to 50 million years. (News courtesy the daily "Dawn")

 

[ghazi52]

Khem Singh Haveli,
Potohar

Some of the brilliant frescos, paintings and woodwork can still be seen in the courtyard and other parts of the haveli.

ISLAMABAD: Pale yellow walls and centuries-old engraved wooden door welcome visitors inside the forgotten Khem Singh Haveli.

Located in Kallar Syedan, a sub-region of Rawalpindi, 30 kilometers off Rawat road, the haveli is commonly known as ‘Babay Da Mahal.’

Locals help you walk through narrow back alleys to the edge of the town where the haveli is located, while narrating stories connected to it.

The four-storeyed structure was constructed by Khem Singh Bedi, one of the founders of the Singh Sabha movement, in the late 19th century.

The red-bricked structure constitutes of 22 rooms and three basements embellished with brilliant frescos, paintings and carved woodwork. The focal-yard is supported by a system of corridors leading to galleries, wooden doors and stunning fireplaces, still intact. The ancient architecture also has some oriels on different sides of the focal-yard. A spiral staircase leads to rooftop where one gets a bird’s-eye view of the town.

The partition of open yard is creatively finished with a series of pictures including depictions of Sikh masters, warriors, Hindu goddesses and also some Muslim rulers. It is likewise trusted that a number of pictures speak of acclaimed Muslim warriors of subcontinent, which leads to believe that Baba Khem Singh, despite being a crucial member of the Sikh movement, was a secular man.

Quaid-i-Azam University Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations Director Dr Ashraf Khan told The Express Tribune that “Khem Singh Haveli was constructed using the finest wood and carved with intricate designs by some of the celebrated masons and artists from Attock.” Despite being in a terrible condition, some of the artworks can still be seen in courtyard and other parts of the haveli, he added.

As indicated by research and references in Sikh history, Khem Singh helped the British Raj during the 1857 Indian rebellion in smothering defiance in Gugera, a town close to Okara. In acknowledgment of his work, he was designated as a judge in 1877 and was later assigned to the Viceroy’s Legislative Council in the late 1800s.

Adding to the subject, Amjad Minhas, author of the book ‘Potohar Nama’ said “Rawalpindi and Potohar regions have many archaeological assets that have been overlooked in terms of maintenance.” Unfortunately, most of these places have been abandoned, some encroached upon while a few damaged due to natural disasters, he expressed.

Other than being a brave warrior, Khem Singh is also widely known for his generous contributions in education and religious spheres of that time. The haveli was being utilised as a public school for boys after the partition till about a decade ago, but due to its dilapidated condition, the school had to be moved to another building close-by.

 

[ghazi52]

Akbari Gate of walled city of Lahore.

This gate exists no more. This pic was taken in 1962 by an unknown photographer.

Sorry that I feel the urge to start this rather sad thread, but I feel it's important that we know how easily we can lose our heritage, history and identity.

 

[ghazi52]

Akbar-era Shahi Hammam discovered at Lahore Fort.

One of fort’s oldest monuments discovered after removal of around 100,000 cubic feet of debris. This was Mughal Emperor Akbar's era Royal Bath behind Jahangir's Quadrangle which has now been excavated by WCLA.
The structure was hidden under debris since ages and it was part of Akbar's Palace.

 

[VCheng]

Sorry that I feel the urge to start this rather sad thread, but I feel it's important that we know how easily we can lose our heritage, history and identity.

A people that do not value their heritage enough to put the required effort into saving such relics will lose them irretrievably. Others will not come to save them, that is for sure.

 

[ghazi52]

‘Discoveries at Bhamala stupa opened new chapter in history’
February 03, 2019

A signboard with information about the Bhamala stupa and monastery in English and Urdu.

The Bhamala Buddhist Archaeology Complex sits close to Khanpur Dam at the head of the Haro Valley, marked by riverbends and hills, dotted with prehistoric caves.

The stupa and monastery there date back to the 2nd century CE. They are uniquely significant in the Gandhara civilisation, the largest surviving example of a particular cross-like stupa that resembles the Aztec pyramids and more recently, the site of the discovery of the world’s oldest ‘Maha Parinirvana’ statue which depicts the death of Buddha.

The statue, which was discovered in 2016, is 1,700 years old and 48 feet long. It was found alongside a double-halo Buddha statue, the first of its kind to be found in the history of the Buddhist civilisation in Pakistan.

Noted for its unique architectural style, the Bhamala complex is said to belong to the 2nd to 5th century CE.

According to archaeologists, the stupa was mounted on spiritual sites that usually contain Buddhist relics.

“The main stupa of Bhamala is unique, with a cruciform plan consisting of a tall square base for the dome above which offset projections for the steps can be seen on all four sides. The Corinthian pilasters divide the plinth into bays,” explained Abdul Nasir Khan, the curator of the Taxila Museum just 25 kilometres away.

Mr Khan said the stupa resembles the Aztec pyramids, and this kind of construction has only previously been found in Kashmir. In addition to the main stupa, there are around 19 small votive stupas in the surrounding courtyard, constructed with the diaper masonry technique.

A side view of the unique, cross-like Bhamala stupa.


Buddhism flourished in what is now Pakistan some 2,300 years ago, after it took route under Mauryan emperor Ashoka in Takashila (now Taxila), explained former director of the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations at Quaid-i-Azam University Prof Dr Mohammad Ashraf Khan.

The region was once a major centre of the Buddhist civilisation, and left behind an abundant archaeological legacy of art and architecture, he said.

Gandhara art is credited with creating the first carved image of Buddha in human form, most of which are still intact at monasteries and stupas such as Bhamala, former Taxila Museum curator Abdul Ghafour Lone said.

A statue of Buddha in the meditation pose made of stucco.


He said the discovery of the 3rd century Dying Buddha statue at Bhamala a few years ago indicates that a lot of the monastic complexes exposed by the Archaeological Survey of India under the British do not present a complete picture of Buddhist art and its evolution.

These discoveries were brought to light by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Archaeology and Museums, which confirmed many hidden links in the evolution of Buddhist art in Taxila, Gandhara and Swat.

The director general of this department, Dr Abdul Samad, led the team that excavated the statue. He said the Bhamala complex has revealed a wealth of history and treasure, and the recent discoveries have opened a new chapter in the history of the ancient Taxila Valley civilisation.

A small stupa was recently exposed adorned with intact statues of Buddha meditating in the seated
position.


This is one of a few sites around the world to have a cruciform stupa, which were reserved for Buddha himself, he said, adding that the Maha Parinirvana statue measures 14 metres in length, making it the largest ever statue of its kind found in the archaeological history of the greater Gandhara civilisation.

A carnelian seal, depicting what appears to be the Gaja Lakshmi deity — one of the forms of the Hindu goddess Ashta Lakshmi, the double-halo statue, more than 500 Buddhism-related objects including fragments of terracotta tiles and stucco Buddha statues, 14 coins dating back to the Kidara-Kushan period, iron objects such as nails, hooks, door fittings, hair clips and copper artefacts were also discovered, he said, which proves that the site was not isolated from the main Taxila valley.

 

[ghazi52]

Australia returns Gandhara statue of Buddha to Pakistan

An Australian citizen returned the statue of Buddha belonged to the Gandhara civilization of Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

In this connection, a ceremony was held at the Pakistan High Commission, Canberra to celebrate the return of the statue.

The statue was in the possession of Ms Romy Dingle, an Australian citizen whose mother was a collector of artefacts and had brought it to Australia from Pakistan in the early 1970s. The family now wished to gift it to Pakistan, the place where it belonged.

The event was attended by guests from the civil society, academia, diplomatic corps and media. The Shadow Minister for Families, Youth, Community Services, and Multicultural Affairs, Ms Elizabeth Kikkert MLA in the ACT Legislative Assembly also attended.

Speaking on the occasion Ms Romy Dingle said that, she is delighted to facilitate and return the piece of history as it has now been returned to its rightful place to be celebrated and protected in a befitting manner.

She added that today’s event is an excellent example of the results that can come with close cooperation between individuals from civil society and government institution to preserve and celebrate art.

In his remarks, High Commissioner for Pakistan, Mr Babar Amin said that the statue was an important element of the cultural history and heritage of Pakistan and was so much more than a piece of property.

While giving agenesis of the Gandhara civilization, he added that Gandhara was an ancient kingdom in the modern-day North of Pakistan spreading from Peshawar to the Swat valley, and Pothoharplateau region of Pakistan.

As a centre of Buddhism, Gandhara attained its height from the 1st century to the 5th century under the Kushan Kings and contributed immensely in the spheres of painting, sculpture, coins, pottery and all the associated elements of an artistic tradition.

Taxila was its seat of learning which hosted the famous Julian University one of the first in the world.


People from all over the area and neighbouring regions came to Gandhara not only for trade and commerce but also for learning and acquiring knowledge.

The High Commissioner termed the return of Buddha as a wonderful gesture and thanked Ms Dingle’s family for gifting the statue which was amazing not only for its history but also for its nifty carving.

He remarked that he hoped the people understood its value as it is one part of Pakistan’s history which also belonged to the entire world.

 

[ghazi52]

Kot Diji

In between the Mehrgarh and the Indus Valley civilization, there existed a prelude to Moenjodaro and Harappa at Kot Diji, which thrived at about the time when Indus Valley civilization was getting into place around 3500-3000 BC. Located about 22 kilometres south of Khairpur in the Sindh of province, Pakistan, the site is situated at the foot of the limestone hills on the eastern bank of the Indus River, some 60 kilometres northeast of Mohenjo-daro. Excavated in 1955, the remains of Kot Diji represent the first evidence of habitation. The Kot Diji culture is characterized by the use of the red-slipped globular jar with a short neck painted with a black band. Briefly coexisting with the Indus Civilization (the Harappan Culture), the Kot Diji Culture eventually gave way to the blossoming Indus Civilization. During the peak of the Kot Diji Culture, the site was divided into a "Citadel" and a "Lower Town". Standardized bricks, terracotta cakes, fish-scale and intersecting-circle designs on pottery and other traits found in the Indus Civilization were already in use at the site. On the basis of this evidence and the fact that similar artefacts were found over much of the vast area of the later Indus (or Harappan) Civilization, Dr. M. R. Mughal suggested calling this early stage at Kot Diji and at other sites the "Early Harappan Culture". Excavations at Harappa show strong affinity, with some Kot Diji finds.

​

The pre Harappan site at Kot Diji consists of two clearly defined areas. Citadel on high ground for the elites separated by a defensive wall with bastions at regular intervals. This area measures about 500 ft x 350 ft. Outer area, or the city proper consisted of houses of mud bricks on stone foundations. Pottery found from this site have design with horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and simple triangular patterns. Remains of pots, pans, storage jars, toy carts, balls, bangles, beads, terracotta figurines of mother goddess and animals, bronze arrowheads have also been found, beside well fashioned stone implements. The interesting find at Kot Diji is a toy cart, which shows that potter’s wheel lead to wheels for bullock carts.

There are evidence of burning of this fortified town, which were also observed at Amri and Kalibangan. Burning of these cities is still unexplained.

The present remains of Kot Diji also include a fort, which was built by Talpur ruler Mir Sohrab (1803-30). This fort built on the ridge of a steep narrow hill is well preserved and is oft mistaken as a part of the vestige Kot Diji civilization of earlier times.

 

[ghazi52]

streets of the city

Utensils used by the people of Mohenjo daro

 

[ghazi52]

This Gurdwara is in Namak Mandi, Raja bazar, Rawalpindi
Nirankari sect was born in this very place. Bhai Dayal Singh was the founder of this sect.
Dayal Singh used to recite the word "Narankar" and opposed idol worship.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Joe Shearer]

@Kambojaric

Are you still following this thread? And current discussions on PDF?