Early Buddhist settlement found in Kashmir
PTI
The Times of India
May 3, 1999
Title: Early Buddhist settlement found in Kashmir
Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 3, 1999
An ancient Buddhist settlement belonging to second and third century
AD has been discovered in the forest range of Gurwait-Yarikhan,
situated on left bank of Shali Ganga nallah, in Badgam district of
central Kashmir, an official said on Sunday.
The trial digging by directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums
(AAM) has led to discovery of the settlement spread to several
terraces and consisting of baked terracotta tiles pavements, deputy
director of AAM, M.K. Makhdoomi, said here.
'The discovery has added a glorious chapter in archaeological history
of Kashmir.
"Further excavations will be taken up in the current month and it is
expected it will expose a major settlement", he said.
The tiles unearthed from the site area in various shapes. They bear
swastika motifs (associated with Buddhism) and Kharoshti script. The
Kharoshti script was popular in Kashmir in the early centuries of
Christian era and ceased its popularity in circa fourth century, Mr
Makhdoomi said.
Adding the presence of Kharoshti numerals and swastika motif provided
date of the site between second and third century A.D.
Measuring 36 cm by 40 cm, they also bear Kharoshti numerical, which
according to him, have been stamped to maintain the order of tiles in
the layout.
Besides, there are impressions of other motifs including floral and
geometrical.
The swastika motif had earlier been identified on various pre-historic
archaeological materials of South Asia and on a few tribal coin ages,
he said.
Another important feature of the site is earthen water pipes which
were used to "supply water to the settlement."
Besides, specimens of grey were pottery have also been unearthed, Mr
Makhdoomi he said.
The first Buddhist site with baked terracotta tiles of the type found
in Taxila were discovered in 1934 at Harwan on the outskirts of
Srinagar.
"This had led to the belief that their manufacturing was confined to
Harwan alone," he said.
But there has been a continuous chain of discoveries in last few years
starting from Hoinar (Liddru) Dardkote (Hutmura), Doni-Pather
(Pahalgam) and Now Yarikot in Gurwair, Badgam, he said.
He said it indicates that manufacturing of terracotta tiles had been
an established industry in Kashmir with high degree of craftsmanship
during ancient times.
The latest site, according to Mr Makhdoomi, is better than Harwan.
The exhumed materials are under study besides efforts are being taken
to conduct trial excavation at the site as it is expected that it
would expose a major settlement and rich archaeological materials.
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