Moenjodaro (Mound of the Dead) is situated on the West Bank of the river Indus , Sind , Pakistan. It was discovered in 1922, having one of the earliest and most developed urban civilizations of the ancient world. It is the part of the Indus River civilization of Harapa discovered in 1921, 1287.48 km away from Moenjodaro. River Indus civilization flourished from somewhere third till the middle of second millenium BC. before it vanished from the world.

http://phonepk.com/kalpoint/teledirectory/code/images/fullsize/Sindh/moenjodaro.jpg

Moenjodaro had mud-brick and backed-brick buildings. Covered drainage system in addition to this, soakpits for disposal bins, a large state granary, a spacious pillared hall, a collage of priests, a large and imposing building (probably a palace) and a citadel mound which incorporates in its margin a system of solid burnt brick tower.

Moenjodaro looks like a planed, organized and master architecture of urban settlement. Beneath the citadel, parallel streets, some 30 feet wide, stretched away and are crossed by other straight streets, which divide the town into a great oblong block, each 400 yards in length, and 200 to 300 yards in width. The most imposing remains are those of a Great Hall which consisted of an open quadrangle with verandahs on four sides, galleries and rooms on the back, a group of halls on the north and a large bathing pool. It was probably used for religious or ceremonial bathing.

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Web%20Pics/Priest%20K%20copy.jpg

Nearby are the remains of Great Granary, possibly a public treasury where taxes were paid. We can assume the sensibility of the and artistic mind by the discovery of necklaces, pendants of beads, earring and ankles of ivory and mother of pearl, vessels of silver and bronze and stone weights and measures which suggests the existence of stringent civic regulations.

When the first seal was found in Harapa in 1875 it was thought to be of a foreign origin. A humpless bull with an illegible inscription comprising six characters, were engraved on dark brown jasper.

The significance of this, and the multitude of other seals to follow, was felt when it was realized that the engraved characters and pictures are not only in indigenous to the Indus civilization but a thorough understanding of engravings can give a comprehensive account of the true nature of the Indus civilization. First it was thought that the pictograph and the ideograms were related to Brahmi characters or where perhaps the forerunner of Brahmi. It was also suggested that the seal was ideophonographic and resembled the Hieroglyphic seal.

On the other hand work was being carried on to prove the Dravdian had inherit many Indus signs thus proving the Dravdic affinity of the Indus seal. Its destruction was by the hands of invading Aryan hordes, as some historians believe, or was triggered by an earthquake, or flood remains yet to be established. The Moenjodaro museum, close to the site of excavation, houses price-less relics found there, including these engraved seals, ornaments utensils, pottery, weapons and toys. Some of the precious things have been recently shifted from the site museum to the local government treasury

Interestingly, the bullock carts, boats, drinking jars, toys used even today in the adjoining areas, bare strong resemblance to those used by the ancient citizens of Moenjodaro as a visit to the museum makes plain. From coins and potteries discovered, archeologists believe trade and cultural links existed between Moenjodaro and the contemporary civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
http://www.southasianmedia.net/profile/pakistan/images/moenjodaro3.jpg

Moenjodaro looks like a planned, organized and master architecture of urban settlement. Beneath the citadel, parallel streets, some 30 feet wide, stretched away and are crossed by other straight streets, which divide the town into a great oblong block, each 400 yards in length, and 200 to 300 yards in width. The most imposing remains are those of a Great Hall which consisted of an open quadrangle with verandahs on four sides, galleries and rooms on the back, a group of halls on the north and a large bathing pool. It was probably used for religious or ceremonial bathing.

Interestingly, the bullock carts, boats, drinking jars, toys used even today in the adjoining areas, bare strong resemblance to those used by the ancient citizens of Moenjodaro. Through the discovery of coins and potteries, archeologists believe that trade and cultural links existed between Moenjodaro and the contemporary civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Various objects d'art found at Moenjodaro include burnt clay male and female figurines, and models of bird, a steatite bust a noble man or a priest-king, wearing a loose rob on which the tretoil pattern is engraved and small dancing girl bronze with slim figures and flat negroid features. Steatite seals bearing lifelike representation animals and mythological creatures such as the unicorn best illustrate the figural. They bear short inscription in a remarkable pictographic script, which has yet to be deciphered.
http://www.southasianmedia.net/profile/pakistan/images/moenjodaro_04.jpg

The various layers of the excavated site show that upon the debris of the ancient civilization rose the buildings and edifices of a much latter settlement dating back to Kushan period (between the first and the third centuries AD). The remains of the Buddhist stupa and monastery, rising to the height of 10.66 meters (35 feet) above the surrounding area, are of this later period. How this remarkable civilization came to an end after 1800 BC remains a mystery. Human skeletons show signs of violent end. Weather this came as the result of massacre is not certain.

According to Father Heras the vertical fish sign meant a star, because in most of the Dravidian languages both the star and the fish are referred to as mint. There are many other examples of a similar nature quoted in his works. All this inspired many scholars including, Soviet, Scandinavian and Pakistanis, to start looking into the matter more seriously.
http://www.gerrystravel.com/gtours/07.jpg http://www.gerrystravel.com/gtours/08.jpg http://www.gerrystravel.com/gtours/11.jpg http://www.gerrystravel.com/gtours/12.jpg http://www.gerrystravel.com/gtours/06.jpg
more images... (http://www.cque.com/english/serch/twh/pa_01.html)

Beautiful..

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Web%20Pics/Priest%20K%20copy.jpg

http://www.frankossen.com/Fresco_Moenjodaro_-_Pakistan_ART_270_H.jpg

http://phonepk.com/kalpoint/teledirectory/code/images/fullsize/Sindh/moenjodaro.jpg

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Web%20Pics/Priest%20K%20copy.jpg

I love the artwork in this statue of the King. It looks so regal and dashing

i luv it 2

i will love to go there someday.

Personally, I think cooperation between India and Pakistan in all of our shared heritage is the key to peace. The sooner we realize the fundamental unity of our cultures and nations, the sooner we work backwards from our current positions, the sooner we will again become one nation and our problems will disappear

hey pakboy didn't u go here

Can't believe the world really dosen't know much about this facinating place!

log on to www.moenjodaro.org for more

You can also visit http://www.harappa.com

trueCan't believe the world really dosen't know much about this facinating place!

again this is more amazing tourist potential for Pakistan. Im sure the government will soon be promoting stuff like this. Previous governments did crap in this regard. Nawaz Sharif wanted to build this huge cricket ground in Taxila for example !!

Hum Sub Umeed Say Hain...........lol

: ::PAKISTAN:: (old places)
Lahore Fort
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/254.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/9.jpg
Lahore tomb
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/286.jpg
Badshahi mosque
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/8.jpg
Al-Hamra open air theatre
http://archnet.org/library/imgdownloader/jpg/15113/big/IAA1930.jpg
Lahore Museum
http://p.vtourist.com/1274942.jpg
anarkali tomb
http://p.vtourist.com/1287915.jpg
Islamia University
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/77.jpg
Islamabad Church
http://p.vtourist.com/1307303.jpg
Zamzama
http://p.vtourist.com/1295113.jpg
JInnah Libraray
http://p.vtourist.com/1440124.jpg
Wazir Khan mosque
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/79.jpg
Karachi st patrick church
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/128.jpg
Karachi city hall
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/129.jpg
Mohatta Palace
http://archnet.org/library/imgdownloader/jpg/36184/big/IAA8823.JPG
http://archnet.org/library/imgdownloader/jpg/36185/big/IAA8824.JPG
http://archnet.org/library/imgdownloader/jpg/36186/big/IAA8825.JPG
Frere Hall
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/504.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/429.jpg
Tower
http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rmuhamma/Personal/Karachi/citytower.jpg
Clifton monument
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/368.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/460.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/603.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/575.jpg
Dai Anga mosque
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/10.jpg
Jinnah Hall (Faisalabad)
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/359.jpg
St. Joseph college
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/120.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/398.jpg
Mosque
http://archnet.org/library/imgdownloader/jpg/52416/big/IAA13927.JPG
Landsdowne bridge
http://www.geocities.com/paktravel2003/261.jpg

Mohenjodaro

Mohenjo-Daro was a city located in the south of Modern Pakistan in the Sind Province, on the right bank of the Indus River. It was built between four and five thousand years ago, and lasted until 3,700 BP. It was part of the Harrapan Civilization, and the city had at least 35,000 residents. Mohenjo-Daro means “mound of the dead”. The city was approximately one square mile in size. In 1922-1927 large scale excavations at Mohenjo-daro were carried out by R. D. Banarjee and continued by M. S. Vats and K. N. Dikshit under the direction of Sir John Marshall. E. J. H. MacKay carried out further excavations from 1927 to1931. Sir Mortimer Wheeler made small excavations in1950.

As a result of this extensive work almost one-third of the area of the old city was exposed, revealing for the first time the remains of one of the most ancient civilizations in the Indus Valley. Typical of most large and planned cities, Mohenjo-daro had planned city streets and buildings. The settlement was thought to house roughly 5,000 people, and had houses, a granary, baths, assembly halls and towers. The city was divided into two parts, the Citadel included an elaborate tank or bath created with fine quality brickwork and drains; this was surrounded by a verandah. Also located here was a giant granary, a large residential structure, and at least two aisled assembly halls. To the east of the citadel was the lower city, laid out in a grid pattern. The streets were straight, and were drained to keep the area sanitary. The people of the city used very little stone in their construction. They used two types of bricks- mud bricks, and wood bricks, which were created by burning wood. They used timber to create the flat roofs of their buildings; there are brick stairways leading to the roofs of many houses. Some houses were small, and others were larger with interior courtyards. Most had small bathrooms. Potter’s kilns, dyer’s vats, as well as metalworking, bead making, and shell-working shops have all been discovered. The people were good at irrigation and flood control. However, when the Indus River changed its course around 3700 years ago, the civilization died.

All Indus valley sites including Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, were built according to a grid pattern plan. Each city had broad parallel streets which crossed each other to divide the city into compact rectangular blocks, and had an advanced and extensive drainage system. In addition to it's numerous other achievements Mohenjo-daro and other Indus sites made extensive use of baked brick (unlike the sun-dried brick typical of Mesopotamian civilization), which gave greater durability to all of its buildings.

Defensively Mohenjo-daro was a well fortified city. Though it did not have city walls it did have towers to the west of the main settlement, and defensive fortifications to the south. These fortifications taken into consideration, as well as a comparison to the Harappa ruins to the northeast, lead to the question of whether Mohenjo-daro was an administrative center. Both Harappa and Mohenjo-daro share relatively the same architectural layout (Harappa is less well preserved due to early site defilement), and were generally not heavily fortified like other Indus Valley sites. It is obvious from the identical city layouts of all Indus sites, that there was some kind of political or administrative centrality, however the extent and functioning (and even the placement and type) of an administrative center remains relatively

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/images/mohenjodaro.jpg

http://www.daylongraphics.com/products/leveller/gallery/archive/MohenjoDaro.jpg

http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/Mohenjo-daro+plan.jpg

http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati/Mohenjo-daro+drains.jpg

http://www.gosai.com/chaitanya/saranagati/html/vedic-upanisads/indology/mohenjo-daro.jpg

http://www.ersdac.or.jp/todayData/04.2/1.jpg

Half of the places in the pictures arnt historical at all. What happened to Jehangir's Mausoleum? Gandhara sites? Moenjodaro? Takht-i-Bhai? etc?

Well swerveut i had made seperate threads for:
MoenjoDaro http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=138507
Gandhara http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=173978

This thread would best be called historical ARCHITECTURE of Pakistan.

Awesome thread!

Mehrgarh, a 10,000 year old site of settlement, is located at the foot of the Balochistan hills on the Katchi plain southeast of Quetta, situated strategically near the Bolan Pass.

Once it was the most developed place in the World

http://www.museeguimet.fr/gb/images/pages/bitmaps/gui_1_mehrgarh.jpg

The origin of the mummy recently discovered in Pakistan Later, the mummy was taken to Karachi and placed at the National Museum. However after discovering the mummy, the majority of experts announced that it belongs to Iran. The Iranian Archaeological Department said that the mummy was of an ancient Iranian princess

Neolithic Mehergarh consists of four mounds. Supported by the Pakistan Department of Archeology, French archeologists have been carrying out extensive excavations there for some years. These excavations, studies and research have led to pushing back these settlements to some 10,000 years.

Thus, the chronology of civilization in Pakistan, established through the study of Moenjodaro and Harappa, has been pushed back by over 4000 years. The habitation of the site has been divided into seven periods, the first being the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period that dates to circa 7000 B.C. or even earlier. The site was abandoned between 2000 and 2500 B.C. during a period of contact with the Indus Civilization and then reused as a burial ground for some time after 2000 B.C.

http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features/stern/Images/stern3-19-3.jpghttp://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features/stern/Images/stern3-19-2.jpg

Mehrgarh was also a center of manufacture for various figurines and pottery that were distributed to surrounding regions.

Research shows that people here lived in houses and were involved in hunting, domesticating of animals and farming cereals like barley and wheat. This hunting-farming society developed gradually and their pursuits were creative. During the early period these people used stone and bone tools i.e. polished stone-axes, flint blades and bone-pointers. By 6000 B.C. the hand-made pottery appeared and in the 5th millenium B.C. Metallurgy and potter-wheel were introduced and they produced some fine terra-cotta figurine and pottery with exotic geometric designs.

Subsequently they produced and wore ornaments of beads, seashells and semi-precious stones like Lapis Lazuli. A museum has been set up at sibi where a wide range of rare finds from the site of mehergarh are on display. This is a wonderful archeological display for interested tourists.

READ MORE (http://mehrgarh.biography.ms/)

Also See:
Moen-joDaro Civilization (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=138507) |Harappa Civilization (http://www.harappa.com) |Gandhara Civilization (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=173978)

This thread is to be used to post photos relating to historic architectural sites in Pakistan. It can be the graves of Makli, the stupas of Gandhara or forts like the Rohtas Fort.

Please only post good photos and pictures.

This magnificent fort was built by Sher Shah Suri, who is also known as the builder of the Grand Trunk Road. (Pictures courtesy ZAK7's flickr.com album)

The Sohail Gate
http://static.flickr.com/29/99750448_ad27563754_o.jpg

The Kabul Gate
http://static.flickr.com/28/100508846_4086779a6f_o.jpg

Outer walls
http://static.flickr.com/29/100509114_7b28b7f0e9_o.jpg

Guard post
http://static.flickr.com/34/104310827_0f1c690088_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/40/100507711_698d50a39f_o.jpg

Exit of an underground tunnel
http://static.flickr.com/28/100507427_3d9c501bb5_o.jpg

Water reserves
http://static.flickr.com/19/100506815_ac05c59057_o.jpg

The Shahi Mosque
http://static.flickr.com/36/99749873_9f4772ca8c_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/34/99750124_85e1f86a40_o.jpg

Man Singh's Haveli at Rohtas (by !ZAK!)
http://static.flickr.com/49/106927799_e1322cc07d_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/42/104311519_fb9082f6fc_o.jpg

There is one fort in Hyderabad also can u get pics of that fort too.

more than 500 years old, Sardar Essa's Palace, latter converted into royal graveyard.

http://static.flickr.com/26/100840969_ac1b0d1333.jpg?v=0


A tomb at Mukkly graveyard (500 years old), it is world's largest and graveyard, there are hundreds tombs of this type.

http://static.flickr.com/28/100839843_3f8d5dee02.jpg?v=0


500 years old decoative graves

http://static.flickr.com/35/100839426_ec79840f9f.jpg?v=0


Mukkly, former palace now graveyard

http://static.flickr.com/25/99143040_a4bc41a97a_o.jpg

Bibi Jawindis Tomb in Uch Sharif from the 16th century:

http://www.ramayana.si/Phots%202005%20Expedition/DSC00460.JPG

http://www.livius.org/a/pakistan/uch/uch3.JPG

http://www.livius.org/a/pakistan/uch/uch4.JPG

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b96/JADI28/505954047fEJIrw_ph.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b96/JADI28/505954052CcPtrw_ph.jpg

Moenjodaro - The mound of the dead

Mohenjo-daro like Harappa, was a city of the Indus Valley civilization, some 80 km southwest of modern Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is somewhat better preserved than Harappa, and therefore a more informative source on its parent civilization. Mohenjo Daro was about 400 miles away from Harappa. It was probably built between four and five thousand years ago, and was abandoned around 1700 BCE, probably due to a change of course of the river which supported the civilization. It was rediscovered in the 1920s by archaeologists.

Mohenjo-daro is a remarkable construction, considering its antiquity. It has a planned layout based on a grid of streets, with structures constructed of bricks of baked mud, sun dried bricks and burned wood. At its height the city probably had around 35,000-40,000 residents. It had an advanced drainage system, a variety of buildings up to two stories high, and an elaborate bath area. The bath area was very well built and had a layer of natural tar, to keep it from leaking. Being an agricultural city, it also featured a large well, granary, and central marketplace. Perhaps most unexpected, it even had a building with an underground furnace (hypocaust), possibly for heated bathing.

Mohenjo-daro was successively destroyed and rebuilt at least seven times. Each time, the new cities were built directly on top of the old ones. Flooding by the Indus is thought to have been the cause of destruction.

The city was divided into two parts, the Citadel and the Lower City. Most of the Lower City is yet uncovered, but the Citadel is known to have the public bath, a large residential structure designed to house 5,000 citizens, and two large assembly halls.


http://undp.un.org.pk/unesco/Moenjodaro%202.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/Indusvalleyexcavation.jpg
Structure dubbed the "great bath" in the excavated Mohenjo-daro ruins.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/dc/Mohenjodaro_computergeneratedimage1.jpg/300px-Mohenjodaro_computergeneratedimage1.jpg
A Computer-generated reconstruction has brought a small area of Mohenjo-daro back to life. (Lost Civilizations by Austen Atkinson, p. 179 - 188)

Couldn´t find quality pictures of Moenjodaro. Ironically Indus civilization is perhaps the most known attraction of Pakistan worldwide; guess due to getting mediocre attention from the government.

Takht-i-bahi

The Buddhist monastic complex of Takht-i-Bahi (Throne of Origins) was founded in the early 1st century. Owing to its location on the crest of a high hill, it escaped successive invasions and is still exceptionally well preserved.

http://www.mango.itgo.com/buddhist/takhti%20bahi%20full%20view%20north%20monastery.jpg

http://www.fotoaleph.com/Colecciones/VislumbresPakistan/31002134.JPG

http://worldheritagephotos.com/asia/images/PKTIB008.jpg

http://danny.oz.au/travel/1999/pakistan/p/p/211-takhtibhai.jpg

Note to FARHAN:

PLEASE REFER TO WHERE YOU GOT THOSE PICTURES FROM AND GIVE PROPER CREDITS!
I know those pictures arnt yours and it isnt fair to the person who actually went through the trouble of taking these photos if you do not give them credit!
ALSO, PLEASE LABEL THEM WITH THE LOCATION!
if you do not know the location, dont guess and maybe dont post either. There is no use of having an unlabelled picture that nobody knows where its from like in your second post on this thread.

MODS, please take notice.

Salam,

Pictures are magnificent! Great collection. I hope it increases day-by-day.

Peace.

From the flickr.com album of Manitoon

http://static.flickr.com/42/86340230_96a5d84f65_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/39/86340228_2247bfc819_b.jpg

panorama of the front side:
http://static.flickr.com/6/86340229_037bdf7a39_b.jpg

panorama of the back side with gateway:
http://static.flickr.com/42/86340227_3ddc0a042b_b.jpg

A picture by Dody's
http://static.flickr.com/4/4154840_83c6c58e58_b.jpg

Mosque gateway inside the Derawar Fort (pakpositive's flickr.com album):
http://static.flickr.com/14/91336847_d0bb8416ae_o.jpg

Following pictures are from the flickr.com album of Omar S. Malik

Front and back views of the Derawar Fort Mosque:

http://static.flickr.com/40/74077192_22eaa798c6_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/42/74077069_4277792de6_o.jpg

Gateway to Derawar:
http://static.flickr.com/43/74077032_8e5d3b0b49_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/20/74077050_aedac9b63f_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/74077064_35ac8c3a2a_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/42/74077017_9d7e37078e_o.jpg

Battlements:
http://static.flickr.com/43/74077181_85e3ef23e3_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/39/74077176_002e049109_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/36/74077166_0467195eae_o.jpg

All photos are from flickr.com, photographer's credits are given above the set.

The Dharmajika Stupa:
*__*
http://static.flickr.com/8/9872313_16b1740c02_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/8/9871397_167b63883c_b.jpg

Monastery at Jaulian:
*__*
http://static.flickr.com/6/9873956_51ecfe4efe_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/6/9874789_9e67bd9748_b.jpg

The Sirkap Mound
Hemanshu Kumar
http://static.flickr.com/40/86181628_8dd849fe38_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/43/86181093_d566da0a90_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/9/86181164_a584130db6_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/6/86180944_b7dfb9345d_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/41/86180407_72efeea993_o.jpg

*__*

http://static.flickr.com/5/9871795_efeaba861d_b.jpg

From the flickr.com album of esam:
http://static.flickr.com/39/123790101_6756cce015_o.jpg

From the flickr.com album of kparkinson1968
http://static.flickr.com/52/116218307_4ee4a07f85_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/42/116217268_75c70e1db6_o.jpg

More forts of mention (I couldnt find their good pictures):
-Ghakkar Fort (you can see some pictures here: http://www.zyworld.com/slam33/rawat.htm )
-Attock Fort
-Hyderabad Fort

Historical sites of note (I couldnt find good pictures of them either):
-Mehrgarh
-Bothura

from p0olly's flickr.com album

http://static.flickr.com/12/68605492_f017026181_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/31/94796115_10ee363121_o.jpg

from the back side (Mt. Rakaposhi is visible in the background):

http://static.flickr.com/42/94795949_9fed3f1abe_o.jpg

Nice pictures.. Swerveut

I would like to see some images of the Ranikot fort in Kirthar National Park Sindh. It is said to be one of the largest forts in the world. Anyone who can provide?

http://static.flickr.com/36/103401218_dfe2c4e5cb_o.jpg

flickr.com photo album of Umair Mohsin

All images are from flickr.com album of Manitoon


The main temple mound:

http://static.flickr.com/38/86786735_78c0d1310f_b.jpg

Main mound with some of the city around it:

http://static.flickr.com/42/86786738_a294699307_b.jpg

A street in Moenjodaro:

http://static.flickr.com/43/86786736_534e43daa1_b.jpg


images by Hemanshu Kumar

Central temple complex:

http://static.flickr.com/9/86275284_e2fa1526f3_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/43/86264545_56e03919ce_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/6/86264957_bcbe399559_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/41/86274752_2031ba9c29_o.jpg

The Great Bath:

http://static.flickr.com/52/112393157_0d46d7ec58_o.jpg
(above picture by k.gaurav)

http://static.flickr.com/38/86264705_97b8df4f66_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/36/86275131_6b343f038b_o.jpg

from the album of Tedz2000
http://static.flickr.com/56/106168482_bb606c70d0_o.jpg


Ancient City Streets:

from album of Tedz2000
http://static.flickr.com/37/106168480_54da38e04d_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/46/106135014_4fdfdb0888_o.jpg

from album of Hemanshu Kumar
http://static.flickr.com/37/86274840_b51f1658e8_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/43/86264876_992139651e_o.jpg


Drains from the Great Bath:

from album of Hemanshu Kumar
http://static.flickr.com/38/86275191_d966cf1f1e_o.jpg

From album of Tedz2000
http://static.flickr.com/52/106135016_588347d014_o.jpg

The city's Drainage system:

from album of Hemanshu Kumar
http://static.flickr.com/9/86264835_1c0ec88c76_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/39/86275071_f8b62d7ef2_o.jpg

This one small photo of the fort is from the Flickr.com album of Muntasir

http://static.flickr.com/33/55082901_e9d86d1097_o.jpg

whr iz Takht-i-bahi ??

From Wikipedia:

Takht Bhai (or Takht-i-Bahai or Takht-i-Bahi) is a site of historical importance in the Mardan District of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It contains the remains of a famous Buddhist monastery and is listed as a World Heritage Site.

Takht means "throne" and bhai means "water".

The Takht Bhai was a Buddhist place in ancient time. It was called Takht Bhai because the Buddhist monastery was on the top of a mountain, and on the mountain there was a stream. Now there is a small spring at the place of the stream which can be found at the bottom of the mountain.

Takht Bhai is the most fertile tehsile in the Mardan Division, There are many crops grown in the Takht Bhai Tehsile, some of which are tobacco, wheat and sugar cane. Asia's first sugar mill was built here by the British Government near the Buddhist monastery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takht-i-Bahi

from p0olly's flickr.com album

http://static.flickr.com/42/94795949_9fed3f1abe_o.jpg


OMG man.......words fail to describe this beauty!

It is so shameful that the tremendous tourism potential of Pakistan goes to such waste. If the government did even a half-assed job of marketing Pakistan properly the country would be swimming with tourists.
I think the biggest potential for tourism for Pakistan is from India.

(images from the flickr.com photo album of Manitoon)

This monument, located near the city of Sheikhupura, was built in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Jehangir in memory of a favourite pet antelope.
Currently, the beautiful inlays and decorations that once adorned its walls are missing and the monument is in dire need of restoration work.

http://static.flickr.com/44/119890053_e768782e40_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/54/119888853_570d807e74_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/40/119885956_6a816e7403_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/34/119883405_a7c801390f_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/16/119888854_cbffbe025c_o.jpg

The main tomb of the deer:
http://static.flickr.com/51/119888855_26675fdbf4_o.jpg

Good work! I will add pics as and when I can.

(images from the flickr.com photo album of Manitoon)

This monument was built in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Jehangir in memory of a favourite pet antelope.
Currently, the beautiful inlays and decorations that once adorned its walls are missing and the monument is in dire need of restoration work.

(ps. if somebody could PM me its exact location, I will add it to the post. Thanks)

It's at Sheikhapura, an hours drive from Lahore. Went there in 1994.

Why would anyone want a pet antelope?

Mr. Jehangir had too much time on his hands...

Why would anyone want a pet antelope?

Mr. Jehangir had too much time on his hands...

Lot of time and lots of resources. Those kings had nothing else to do. Anyways the tomb is situated about 4 miles north from the city "Sheikhopura".

The Antelope's name was "Sheikho" so the name of the city comes from the antelope.

BTW swerveut thanks for the credits for photos.

^^ no prob, thanks for those beautiful pictures!

Noor Palace (Noor Mahal), Bahawalpur seraikistan, Pakistan

http://static.flickr.com/51/167349574_9d6aeef617_o.jpg

Pakistans are truelly the lighting experts of the world. We do a masterful job in this field!

I think British architecture on Pakistan's towns landscapes need some acknowledgement. So why not have a thread depicting architecture from that era that has a distinct British style but also local flavour.
Few Ghanta Ghars (Clock Towers) from those times.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/243913276_e827bd36e1_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/19/116698204_6f969ccdfc_o.jpg
Faislabad (Lyllupur)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/243235936_a8a5ee5d3a_b.jpg
Lahore's Saint Anthony tower

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6950/clocktowermultan5ov.jpg
http://hamaramultan.com/ghantaghar_multan.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/132/415384760_e7879cb3aa_m.jpghttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/232105246_a183a5b7d2_s.jpghttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/321272031_3d5ab3bc6c_m.jpg
Multan Ghanta Ghar (now municipal office)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/443263499_d08e06c1dd_o.jpg
Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

Excellent Thread!!!
Great pics...
But it saddens mee how careless we are with these architectural pieces

Hyderabad is Market Tower. Karachi's Mereweather, KMC, Light House, Khaliqdina (Victoria) Hallm, Burns Rd, Saddar

In Peshawar we have Cunningham Tower quite nice actually and of course the the All Saints Church.

I read somewhere that in Faisalabad (Lyallpur), 6 streets diverge away from the main clock tower forming the Union Jack? Is that true? I check it out on google earth.

^^ Guys come on, post some pictures too.

I think Pakistan Tourism industry need to devise some ways for theme attractions. For example, people from Europe or the ones interested in British influence on muslim countries like Pakistan. They could be researchers, historians, students etc.

Other themes could be Pakistan places of worshippers for non-muslims esp. churches. I think that could help economy and at the same time shed positive light on Pakistan as a tolerant & diverse nation.

Lahore Municipal Corporation
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/471700527_df61c7b7dd_b.jpg

Aewan-e-Auqaf
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/426518894_dd34a9aad5_o.jpg

GPO
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/426527648_a2245a9c6d_o.jpg

Punjab University- Old Campus
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/141752253_6f11b85bff_o.jpg

National College of Arts
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/174344041_d6a518a017_o.jpg

Tollinton Market
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/141752291_dbba9573a1_o.jpg

Shahdin Manzil
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/426530339_852cfb3b85_o.jpg

Lahore Museum
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/470447413_f10a338ff0_b.jpg

Quaid-e-Azam Library
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/27845899_14aeb84b45_o.jpg

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Javed Manzil- Allama Iqbal Museum
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/141753662_0c1c9d6e5a_o.jpg

Lahore Gymkhana- Cricket Pavilion
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/426008822_9d49921ed9_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/426039039_f31460e545_b.jpg

Government College
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/449021102_09cb000534_b.jpg

King Edward Medical College
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/369061549_aa713ec045_o.jpg

Lahore Railway Station
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/369060724_baee837b4c_o.jpg

Aithcison College
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/17/22467308_af98a1ea27_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/15/22467309_b17e435fab_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/16/22467310_5bfaf70076_o.jpg

Rasool Buildings
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/27846231_52f30a243a_o.jpg

Views of Mall Road
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/31016946_b68d6f2d42_o.jpg

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/176151780_a11604770a_b.jpg

Punjab Assembly
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/68665903_c2c27d32bb_o.jpg

Sacred Heart Church
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/423726546_54fadbdd1d_o.jpg

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/341023422_2a32b49a15_o.jpg

Lahore High Court
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/143301763_41585929a5_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/236970292_c0ed1d788a_o.jpg

Govt. Central Model School- Lower Mall
http://www.oldmodelians.com/admin/img/Home%20Page%20/main%20school_resize.jpg

WOW, Quaid-e-Azam LIBRARY looks like WHITE HOUSE

LAHORE LIBRARY
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/426034278_a2f585491e_o.jpg

WHITE HOUSE, DC
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/images/symbols/whitehouse_front.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/ujmuj.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/ertgh.jpg

Lady Lloyd pier
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/ll1.jpg

St Patricks Cathedral
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/gfgdhdh.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/stpats.jpg

Empress Market
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/kumujm.jpg

DJ College
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/zees/jinu8jhn.jpg

Jinnah House
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/KarachiFsh1.jpg

KMC Building
http://static.flickr.com/73/198989413_2c121c909f_b.jpg

WAR Cemetery
http://static.flickr.com/72/216831855_0f56cb5264_o.jpg

Sind Club
http://static.flickr.com/71/228996625_57287828a9_b.jpg

II Chundrigar building
http://static.flickr.com/74/198984005_cb1e8482ae_b.jpg

Mereweather TOWER, Frere Hall & Mohatta Palace
http://www.geocities.com/zed_net2003/KHI.jpg

Faisalabad ghanta ghar reminds me of my childhood when i use to visits my grandma just looking at it reminded me of all the memories, THANKS.


SPEEDY
enjoy

I am so tired of seeing the same pictures over and over again!

^^ UP you've posted here the most by far. Not everyone visits here as often, esp. non-Pakistanis & new-comers. So for them it might not be as boring as its for you.

If you're tired of them, must you share that with others here.

What you suggest, till Pakistan has lots of new skyscrapers and new gorgeous bldgs, not to post here. I'd rather see the same pics then to get into petty politics discussions & whine about pace of progress.

^^ UP you've posted here the most by far. Not everyone visits here as often, esp. non-Pakistanis & new-comers. So for them it might not be as boring as its for you.

If you're tired of them, must you share that with others here.

What you suggest, till Pakistan has lots of new skyscrapers and new gorgeous bldgs, not to post here. I'd rather see the same pics then to get into petty politics discussions & whine about pace of progress.
For this section to stay interesting we must continue to search for new and impressive pictures! Everytime I go through these threads I feel like I am wasting a lot of my time!:ohno:

You're right. But what do you suggest, get rid of SSC Pak threads, since not many people are walking around Pak streets taking new pictures. And even if they do its going to be pretty much of the same bldgs, as we all know the pace of building structure there.

Most of us are sitting here outside waiting for others to do their work. The least we could do is appreciate whoever is doing SOME thing to put Pakistan in forefront. Lot better than us, don't you think.

You posted lots of Pakistan's northern threads & pics but most of them even fallen out of forums. Why don't you post more pics too, do some searching and illuminate us.

Better solution to your doldrums would be to start interesting and innovative threads to keep the interest and juices going. Long Live Pakistan!

Here's some pre-moghul archeology (initially in a different thread).

Mohenjo-daro (Urdu: موئن جودڑو, Sindhi: موئن جو دڙو, English: Mound of the dead) was a city of the Indus Valley Civilization built around 2600 BC and is located in the Sindh Province of Pakistan. This ancient five thousand year old city is the largest of Indus Valley and is widely recognized as one of the most important early cities of South Asia and the Indus Valley Civilization. Mohenjo Daro was one of the world’s first cities and contemporaneous with ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. It is sometimes referred to as "An Ancient Indus Valley Metropolis".

Mohenjo-daro was built around 2600 BC, and was abandoned around 1700 BC. It was rediscovered in the 1920s by Sir John Marshall's archaeologists. His car is still in the Mohenjo-daro museum, showing his presence, struggle, and dedication for Mohenjo-daro. Further excavations were carried out in 1945 by Ahmad Hasan Dani and Mortimer Wheeler. Mohenjo-daro in ancient times was most likely the administrative center of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. It was the most developed and advanced city in South Asia during its peak. The planning and engineering showed the importance of the city to the people of the Indus valley.

Mohenjo-daro is a remarkable construction, considering its antiquity. It has a planned layout based on a grid of streets, which were laid out in perfect patterns. At its height the city probably had around 35,000 residents. The buildings of the city were particularly advanced, with structures constructed of same-sized sun dried bricks of baked mud and burned wood.

(article from wikipedia.)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/Mohenjodaro_Sindh.jpeg
The ruins at moenjodara.

http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/images/moenjodaro1.jpg
walkways of moenjodaro

http://www.pakistan-embassy.org/images/moenjodaro.bmp

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/412535556_7f210144ac.jpg

http://www.getpakistan.com/home/images/travel_images/karachi_moenjodaro.gif

5,000 years ago our ancient ancestors had better town planning and sewerage systems than we have today.

http://tabisite.com/gallery_as/pakistan/h940901mingola_stupa.JPG

http://www.netspirit.dk/od/images/vidundere/moenjodaro_001.jpg

http://www.gerrystravel.com/gtours/08.jpg

http://www.sitida.de/resources/Mohenjodaro$2C+Priesterk$C3$B6nig$2CPaki.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/422059903_73a8b2fa4e_o.jpg
(this pic by colors of pakistan at flickr)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/412545579_1a88eae500_o.jpg
Transport of ancient times

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/412550943_f01dd6d95c_o.jpg
Weapons of ancient times

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/412535554_e919cce70a_o.jpg
Overview of the city

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/412545575_23edd5a88b_o.jpg
Close-up view of the stupa

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/412545572_3952be46e0_o.jpg
streets of the city

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/412550939_2fc8b12e37_o.jpg
Utensils used by the people of moenjodaro

Change the topic to the History of Pakistan

The history of Pakistan—which for the period preceding the nation's founding in 1947, is intermittently shared with those of Afghanistan, India, and Iran—traces back to the beginnings of human life in South Asia. Spanning the western expanse of the Indian subcontinent and the eastern borderlands of the Iranian plateau, the region of present-day Pakistan served both as the fertile ground of some of South Asia's major civilizations and as the subcontinent's gateway to the Middle East and Central Asia.

Pakistan is home to some of the most important sites of archaeology, including the earliest palaeolithic hominid site in South Asia in the Soan River valley. Situated on the first coastal migration route of anatomically modern Homo sapiens out of Africa, the region was inhabited early by modern humans. The 9,000-year history of village life in South Asia goes back to the Neolithic (7000—4300 BCE) site of Mehrgarh in Pakistan, and the 5,000-year history of urban civilization in South Asia to the various sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, including Mohenjo Daro and Harappa.

The ensuing millennia saw the region of present-day Pakistan absorb many influences—represented among others in the Vedic-Buddhist site of Taxila, the Greco-Buddhist site of Takht-i-Bahi, the 14th-century Islamic-Sindhi monuments of Thatta, and the 17th-century Mughal monuments of Lahore. From the late 18th century, the region was gradually appropriated by the British East India Company—resulting in 90 years of direct British rule, and ending with the creation of Pakistan in 1947, through the efforts, among others, of its future national poet Allama Iqbal and its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Since then, the country has experienced both civilian-democratic and military rule, resulting in periods of significant economic and military growth as well those of instability; significant during the latter, was the secession, in 1971, of East Pakistan as the new nation of Bangladesh.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/378039835_18090fe1ca_o.jpg
view of the stupa

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/378039733_dc28c57009_o.jpg


( by khawar on flickr)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/282179580_727af5a56f_o.jpg
Oval shaped well

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/282214383_1f54126366_o.jpg
Moenjodaro , as seen from a distance.

1. The Neolithic age
- Mehrgarh

2. The Bronze age
- Indus Valley civilization
- Vedic Period

3. Persian and Greek invasion
-Achaemenid empire
-Alexander's empire

4. The Golden Age
- Maurya Dynasty
- Greco-Buddhist period
- Scythian invasion
- Parthian Empire

5. The Middle Age
- Arab Rule
- The Ghaznavid Dynasty

6. The Islamic sultanates
- Muhammad of Ghor
- Delhi Sultanate

7. The Early Modern Period
- The Mughal Empire
- Durrani Empire

8. Colonial era
- The British Raj
- Pakistan movement

9. Dominion of Pakistan

10. Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Historical Sites in Pakistan

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Historic_pakistan_rel96b.JPG

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/281208998_1114106283_o.jpg
One of the many wells in the city

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Mohenjo-daro_Priesterk%C3%B6nig.jpeg
The "Priest King" statue, Mohenjo-daro, c. 2500 BCE, National Museum, Karachi, Pakistan

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/378039492_436da8dc67_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/116/282214389_ecc2e6fbc4_o.jpg

Harappa (Urdu: ہڑپہ) is a city in Punjab, northeast Pakistan, about 35km (22 miles) southwest of Sahiwal.

The modern town is located near the former course of the Ravi River and also beside the ruins of an ancient fortifed city, which was part of the Cemetery H culture and the Indus Valley Civilization. The ancient city existed from about 3300 BCE until 1600 BCE and is believed to have had as many as 40,000 residents—considered large for its time. Although the Harappa Culture extended well beyond the bounds of present day Pakistan, its centres were in Sindh and the Punjab.

In 2005 a controversial amusement park scheme at the site was abandoned when builders unearthed many archaelogical artifacts during the early stages of construction work. A plea from the prominent Pakistani archaeologist Ahmed Hasan Dani to the Ministry of Culture resulted in a restoration of the site.

The Indus Valley civilization (also known as Harappan culture) has its earliest roots in approximately 6000 BCE in Mehrgarh. The two greatest cities, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, emerged circa 2600 BCE along the Indus River valley in Punjab and Sindh. The civilization, with a writing system, urban centers, and diversified social and economic system, was rediscovered in the 1920s after excavations at Mohenjo-daro (which means "mound of the dead") in Sindh near Sukkur, and Harappa, in west Punjab south of Lahore.

A number of other sites stretching from the Himalayan foothills in east Punjab, India in the north, to Gujarat in the south and east, and to Balochistan in the west have also been discovered and studied. Although the archaelogical site at Harrappa was partially damaged in 1857 when engineers constructing the Lahore-Multan railroad used brick from the Harrappa ruins for track ballast, an abundance of artifacts have nevertheless been found

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/IVC_Map.png

The Dancing Girl of Mohenjadaro
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9d/Dancing_girl_mohenjodaro.jpg

Sokhta Koh

The coastal Harappan site at Sokhta Koh, 'burnt hill' (also known as Sotka Koh) was first surveyed by an American archaeologist George F Dales in 1960, while exploring estuaries along the Makran coast, Balochistan, Pakistan. The site is located about 15 miles north of Pasni. A similar site at Sutkagen-dor lies about 30 miles inland, astride Dasht River, north of Jiwani. Their position along a coastline (that was possibly much farther inland) goes well with evidence of overseas commerce in Harappan times. Based on pottery styles, it is estimated that the settlement belongs to the Mature Harappan (Integration) Era (2600-1900 BC).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/Sokhta_Koh.jpg
Computer-aided reconstruction of coastal Harappan settlement at Sokhta Koh near Pasni, Pakistan

Topography
Sokhta Koh is an outcrop of low hillocks in the Shadi Kaur (river) valley, surrounded by jagged, stratified hills north of Pasni. Presently, the river flows just next to the site while loops of old riverbeds meander nearby. Small rivulets and 'nullahs' mostly fed by rainwater, empty into Shadi Kaur, itself rather anaemic in the stark and dry countryside.

While the hillocks are about two miles in circuit, the visible remnants of the settlement, which occupy the south-eastern portion, are less than a mile around. The settlement itself is difficult to appreciate from the ground since no structures stand out in relief. Except for a few sporadic digs, the site has not been extensively excavated.

Dry ravines, which mark out the northern and southern boundaries, traverse the site. Also visible are signs of numerous open-pit ovens buried under rubble. Another noteworthy point is the lack of visible evidence of walled fortification.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/11/Sokhta_Koh3.jpg
Pasni, Pakistan (Soltha Koh)

Buildings
In the absence of detailed digging, little can be said about the architecture and buildings. However, at several places, erosion by elements reveals remnants of rooms in which stratified rock was used as a base, over which mud or mud-brick walls were raised. Absence of baked bricks, despite a well-established pottery industry, indicates that rainfall may have been low and hence not a threat to mud structures. Riverine flooding, if any, was also probably not a factor due to the siting of the settlement atop hillocks. An aerial view (picture, above) gives a clear indication of rectangular room foundations as well as alignment with the cardinal points of the compass.

Pottery

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Sokhta_Koh2.jpg
Pottery jar excavated from the corner of a room at Sokhta Koh (Pointed bottom outlined)

The site is strewn all over by hundreds of thousands of potsherds which constitute the visible detritus of the extinct settlement. Scores of open pit ovens for firing the pottery can also be discerned. It is tempting to think of this vast pottery-making industry as a sort of a 'packaging facility' for perishable commodities that were exported in exchange for luxury goods. The sherds are of kiln-baked ware that includes jars, plates, pierced colanders, lids with knobs and fine terra cotta bangle-shaped pieces. The pottery is wheel-turned and mostly pink, with a few buff samples. Some wares, particularly jars, have a reddish glazed band around the neck. The designs are a decorative feature of most pottery and are only of black colour. Designs are restricted to geometrical shapes and include horizontal lines of varying thickness, fish scale patterns, intersecting circles, comb-like patterns and wavy lines. Human and animal motifs are notably absent. 'Potters marks' are evident on the rims of some jars and pots. The complete absence of toys, seals, statues and jewellery, at least at the uppermost level, indicate a rather utilitarian environment. Further excavation is bound to reveal at least some elements that might mitigate the seeming socio-cultural isolation of this Harappan outpost.


Abandonment & Relocation

Sokhta Koh may have been abandoned due to recession of coast caused by one or more of following reasons:

* Gradual or catastrophic tectonic uplift
* Deposition of alluvial soil/silt in Shadi Kaur delta
* Deposition of sand on beach and in the estuary by wave action

Evidence of ruins of another location nearer to the sea, at the mouth of Shadi Kaur, seems to indicate possible relocation after the estuary harbour at Sokhta Koh had dried up due to coastal recession. Discovery of a harbour, as well as the source of firewood for large-scale pottery firing would be significant challenges for future excavations.


Significance as a Trading Outpost

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/Harappan_Interaction_Networks1.jpg
Sokhta Koh as a waypoint on the Harappan 'Interaction Network'

Chris J D Kostman in his paper, The Indus Valley Civilization: In Search of Those Elusive Centers and Peripheries [1], discusses: "A primary, if not the primary, rationale for long-range trade driving force would be a need for 'luxury goods,' raw materials, and other items not found in the riverine alluvial plain which made up the vast majority of the Indus Civilization. In the Indus Valley, sought-after materials included copper, gold, silver, tin, jasper and agate cherts, carnelian, azurite, lapis, fine shell, steatite, antimony, and ivory. Forays would have been made towards and beyond the civilization's peripheral areas to obtain these goods. At the minimum, then, there is an economic motive for inter-regional travel. Silvio Durante's study (1979) of marine shells from India and their appearance in the archaeological record in such distant sites as Tepe Yahya and Shahr-i-Sokhta in Iran, as well as in the Indus Valley, sheds light on the ancient trading routes of certain types of shells which are specifically and exclusively found along the Indian coastline proper. Durante primarily discusses the marine shell Xancus pyrum and the fact that it was traded whole and intact, then worked or reworked (into jewellry? sic) at its destination site, perhaps then moving on to other locations. The importance of this specific shell is that Xancus pyrum has a very limited geographic distribution and thus has almost the same significance in the field of shells as that of lapis lazuli in the context of mineral resources (as regards the determination of the possible routes along which a locally unavailable raw material is transported from a well-defined place of origin to the place where it is processed and, as also in the case of Xancus pyrum, consumed). Perhaps, as these shells crossed so many cultural hands, they were left unworked in order for the final owner or consumer to work the raw material into a style and usage specific to their region. Durante offers four possible trade routes from their gathering zone along the west and northwest Indian coast to destinations west: sea route direct to the Iranian coastal area; sea route to Sutkagen-dor and Sotka-koh on the Makran coast, then overland westwards; overland through the Indus plain and then through the Makran interior to Sistan; overland through the Indus Valley and then through the Gomal Valley to Sistan.

nice thread

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/378034443_ed14414ecb_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/173/378034654_07e261e08b_o.jpg

Harappa

(pics by khawar @flickr)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/378033827_83a045efc5_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/378034113_8774e96716_o.jpg
harappa (pics by khawar @flickr)

http://www.sewerhistory.org/images/w/wam/har_wam03.jpg

http://www.sewerhistory.org/images/w/wam/har_wam05.jpg
Harappa

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_500back/indusvalley/moenjo/harappa2.jpg

http://www.yorku.ca/kdenning/images/civilizations%20images/harappan%20dancer%202478.jpg
Harappa

http://www.yogalearningcenter.com/images/Articles/harappa_reconstruction.gif
This is a reconstruction of what Harappa looked like in its days of glory;

Gandhāra (Sanskrit: गन्धार Urdu: گندھارا Gandḥārā; literally meaning "perfumed"; also known as Waihind in Persian)[1] is the name of an ancient kingdom (Mahajanapada), in northern Pakistan and what is now eastern Afghanistan. Gandhara was located mainly in the vale of Peshawar, the Potohar plateau (see Taxila) and on the northern side of the Kabul River. Its main cities were Purushapura (modern Peshawar) and Takshashila (modern Taxila).[2]

The Kingdom of Gandhara lasted from the 6th century BC to the 11th century. It attained its height from the 1st century to the 5th century under Buddhist Kushan Kings. After it was conquered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1021, the name Gandhara disappeared. During the Muslim period the area was administered from Lahore or from Kabul. During Mughal time the area was part of Kabul province.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Ancient_india.png
A map of the ancient indian sub-continent.

http://www.nichiren-etudes.net/dico/dicoimages/gandhara.jpg
Map of the geographical area covered by the Gandhara civilization.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/411358208_0a2df50eb4_o.jpg
bodhisatva statue at takht bahi


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/411344063_13641b8dd2_o.jpg
The statue of Budhisatva in Peshawar museum, which's excavated from the sites of Takht Bahi and Swat valley, which're the centre of Gandhar art and culture from 2nd BC to 5th AD.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/411344064_c3386c7b4b_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/411344068_a3f0171d36_o.jpg
Statues of the Gandhara civilization.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/GandharaFemale.JPG
Female spouted figure, Gandhara

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/GandharaMotherGoddess.JPG
Gandhara mother goddess.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/HaddaTypes.JPG
Hadda from Gandhara culture


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Buddha-Herakles.JPG
Budha Herakles

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Buddha_Gandhara.jpg
Statue of Budda from the Gandhara culture.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/30/LeavingPalace.JPG
The Great Departure. Gandhara, 2-3rd century.

http://faculty.maxwell.syr.edu/gaddis/HST210/Oct21/Gandhara%20Trojanhorse.jpg
Gandhara Trojanhorse

http://www.bouddhisme-universite.org/photos/Bouddha-Gandhara.gif
Gandhara chics


http://www.antique-arts-asia.com/catalog/images/Gandhara_Bodisattva_GH2.jpg
Bronze statue of Bodisattva

The Gandhara Civilization.

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Gandhara/Gandhara_Archi-1.jpg
Julian Monastery, Taxila

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Gandhara/Gandhara_Archi-3.jpg
Double headed Eagle stupa, Sirkap-Taxila

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Gandhara/Gandhara_Archi-2.jpg
Buddhist site Butkara, Swat

http://www.heritage.gov.pk/Gandhara/Gandhara_Archi-4.jpg
Famous Khyber Pass

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/411358214_eafd00da57_o.jpg
Kailash Effigies.

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL THREAD. SHOULD BE A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR A STICKY, MAYBE WITH DIFFERENT TITLE.

ISLAMABAD, July 27: In what appears to be a major discovery, archaeologists have found two over one million years old human footprints preserved on a sandstone at the Margalla Hills.

The Indusians Research Cell, which is working under the supervision of world renowned archaeologist and historian Dr Ahmad Hassan Dani of Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, has made the discovery, which is likely to add a new chapter to the archaeological history and heritage of the federal capital and attract visitors.

A footprint of 1 feet is in complete and well preserved form while another is broken from the finger side which is also of the same size in comparative manner. The notable marks of the feet are the clear veins and opposite folded appearance.

“A huge stone on the top of the hill is the secure home of these prints since about over one million years ago,” says A.K. Azad, an archaeologist and head of the project.

Further research may give more clues of the foot marks through anthropological and geophysical methods, he observed.

The recent discovery is the continuity of the Indusian Research Cell’s earlier research about human evolution which previously revealed a fossilised upper jaw from the site of Dhudhumber, foot and hand prints from Attock and Palaeolithic cave from Margalla hills.

Pakistan’s geomorphologic research was conducted to compare with the Alps of Europe during the period of 1930-1939 by a French mission. Since then, lots of other dimensions of the research opened the doors of scientific research in Pakistan as the country provided the glacial sequence, fossilised evidences of Pre-Cambrian to Holocene epochs, earliest evidences of the anthropoid existence, earliest cultural centre at Mehargarh (contemporary of Jericho and Jarmo) and most advanced civilisation of the world (Indus valley).

Indusians Research Cell started the second phase of the project “Post-earthquake Explorations of Human Remains in Margalla Hills” under the supervision of A.K. Azad.

According to Mr Azad the formation of the Margalla Hills goes back to the Miocene epoch. The dominant limestone of the Margalla is also mixed with the sand stone.

“So we can assume that due to availability of the water in ancient times many marks of the zoological as well botanical significance may lead to our objectives,” the young archaeologist hopes.

In 1976, Pakistan opened another chapter of human evolution, which makes case for Asian anthropoid origin from this region.

During the ‘60s and ‘70s, Pilbeam led expeditions to the Siwalik Hills badlands of northern Pakistan, searching for further Ramapithecine remains.

In March 1975 and January 1976 team members made surface recoveries of four bone fragments which fit together to form the most complete mandible recovered yet. The mandible shows that Ramapithecus did not have a parabolic, human like dental arcade, as originally thought, but rather a V-shaped, more apelike arcade. Though the shape of the arcade is not now regarded as one of the more anatomically important characters, Ramapithecus is no longer granted the high status that it once received.

Different scholars have defined the word ‘Potohar’ differently. But, anthropological research marked it, as the grand father of hominid, also known as Punjabicus found from the Potohar region.

So the government of Pakistan had given the name to this specie Potoharmans.

According to Mr Azad, the problem of human evolution is still hanging around that when and where Anthropoid got physical changes from the Apes?

After India, Kenya and China, he says important discovery was from the Potohar region from fossils of the similar species found in 1976 and 1982. The probable dating given to this specie was 20 million years.

“It has provided a missing link, which was spread of 6 million years. So Potoharmans declared as the grand father of hominid, which evolved from the different stages and reached at the Homo sapiens,” he observes.

The stories behind the similar marks are also significant in mythical associa tions with saints and renowned people i.e. hand prints of the Baba Guru Nanik near Hassanabdal, foot prints of Hazrat Ali in Hyderabad, foot prints of the Guru Padma Sambhava (Second reincarnation of Buddha) in Swat, Adam’s peak of Sri Lanka etc.

“If these are true than we can also claim of the mother Eve’s foot prints from Margalla Hills,” Mr Azad observed.

I can't say about the last statement, but for the discovery i would say :banana:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/ISLAMABAD/margallafootprints-2.jpg
Margalla hills from where the footprint was found


http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/ISLAMABAD/magalla_print.jpg
Image of the footprint

Rehman Dheri is an Pre-Harappan Archaeological Site situated near Dera Ismail Khan in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

This is one of the oldest urbanized centers found to date in South Asia. Dated about 4000 BC, the site is situated 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) north of Dera Ismail Khan. Since the earliest occupation, except for the extension outside the city in the south, the entire habitation area was enclosed by a massive wall, built from dressed blocks made from clay slabs. [1] 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.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehman_Dheri

Unesco link on Rehman Dheri: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1877/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/71/156262310_8a5c35b3ec_o.jpg

^^what kinda tombs are they?

Attack on giant Pakistan Buddha

Suspected pro-Taleban militants have tried to blow up an ancient carving of Buddha in north-west Pakistan.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44111000/jpg/_44111726_buddha1_203b.jpg
The Buddha at Swat was only slightly damaged

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6991058.stm

:ohno:

:rant:

Buddha statue in Swat valley is considered the largest in Asia, after the two Bamiyan Buddhas

These f***g retard mullahs need some lynching action by most Pakistanis, otherwise these bastards are acting on our behalf. Govt is busy saving their own seat w/o having any regard for any citizen and the heritage, let alone reputation.

:rant:
:mad2: How unislamic to show disrespect & disregard to other religions like that!!

We sure didn't like when a non-islamic country like India demolish a mosque. Now did we? Or if anyother non-islamic country shows such disrespect to our sacred places of worship. Its about time we learn to speak up for all rights and not be so narrow minded.

That report by BBC is SOOO late it isn't even funny!

I took a picture of that same Buddha last year and posted here but no one took notice.


http://www.urbanpk.com/static%20gallery/UPK_GALLERY/NWFP/Saidu%20Sharif/P7260962-01%20copy.jpg

:mad2: How unislamic to show disrespect & disregard to other religions like that!!

We sure didn't like when a non-islamic country like India demolish a mosque. Now did we? Or if anyother non-islamic country shows such disrespect to our sacred places of worship. Its about time we learn to speak up for all rights and not be so narrow minded.

you are making it sound as the average pakistani ( you and I and others here)is against these statues by using the word "WE".

Its not "We" but "They" where they=pro-Taliban + millitants. (Read the article again) It has nothing to do with "We". For all i know, most people(like myself) would love to see these statues preserved.

Anyhow, this is a picture thread...so lets get back to pics :)

^^ Agree we should get back to pics. But if "we" doesn't speak, "we" is just as guilty as "they".

By speaking up, I mean whenever & whereever possible; Home, media, online etc.

Please delete all these unrelated posts then.

Please delete all these unrelated posts then.

NO!! DON'T! That story is part of the topic. After all its got to with Pakistan's Archaeological Heritage, hasn't it?

Attack on giant Pakistan Buddha

Suspected pro-Taleban militants have tried to blow up an ancient carving of Buddha in north-west Pakistan.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44111000/jpg/_44111726_buddha1_203b.jpg
The Buddha at Swat was only slightly damaged

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6991058.stm

:ohno:

I think its too late now to save this Archeaological Heritage of Pakistan. These gandoo over zealous extremist dogs have already destroyed the face iof this Buddah statue. Check this picture:

Before:
http://valleyswat.net/tourism/images/cont/Janabad_Buddha.jpg

After:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44111000/jpg/_44111726_buddha1_203b.jpg

But according to BBC, such an attack is for the first time ever happened in history of Pakistan & the statue is just slightly demaged. So I dont think this is the same 'Buddha Paguma larvata' had posted.

I think its too late now to save this Archeaological Heritage of Pakistan. These gandoo over zealous extremist dogs have already destroyed the face iof this Buddah statue. Check this picture:

Before:
http://valleyswat.net/tourism/images/cont/Janabad_Buddha.jpg

After:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44111000/jpg/_44111726_buddha1_203b.jpg

Its not the same one. these are pictures of two different statues.

Yeah looks different.

This one is in Skardu...

http://www.urbanpk.com/static%20gallery/UPK_GALLERY/Northern%20Areas/Skardu/P7220563-01%20copy.jpg

Now fenced up to protect it...

^^
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44111000/jpg/_44111726_buddha1_203b.jpg
Yeah this strong fence will SURELY scare the pants off offenders and protect it. :banana:

I think UP was talking about the one in Skardu (the Yellow one) and not the one in Swat (the White one). Its good that both are fenced up now!

Some pics of Taxila from flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/1534640821_ea105eec72_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/1535509404_b53b1537f8_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/1535509648_44d16c389c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/1535508772_984b103798_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/1535509146_853192e4be_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/1535508172_376e83be09_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/1535511172_d83801d377_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/1534640145_c61802cee7_o.jpg

Cool! :)

I never got the chance to visit Taxila eventhough its only a stone's throw away from Islamabad. :ohno:

The Kot Diji Fort, formally known as Fort Ahmadabad, dominates the town of Kot Diji in Khairpur, Pakistan about 25 miles east of the Indus River at the edge of the Nara-Rajisthan Desert. The fort was built between 1785 to 1795 by Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur, founder of the Kingdom of Upper Sindh in 1783. In addition to the fort, a 5 kilometer, 12 feet wide mud wall was built around the city. This defensive wall had bastions throughout its length and a huge iron gate served as the city's only entrance.


Fort Kot Diji
Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur, King of Upper Sindh.1783-1830
Map of Sindh. Confederacy of Talpur KingdomsThe fort was considered invincible and served as the residence of the Ameers of Khairpur in times of peace. It is, therefore, the ancestral home of royal house. During war time the zenana (female members of the royal family), would be shifted to Shahgarh Fort, formerly within the realm but since 1843, after the conquest of the rest of Sindh, it is in the Jaisalmer dessert, now in India. When the Zenana moved into the comfort of palaces, it stood mainly as a decorated reminder of more violent times. Throughout its whole history, however, Fort Kot Diji was never attacked.

Source: wikipedia :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7f/Fort2.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/83/Fort-detail.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/Fortfromtown.jpg/685px-Fortfromtown.jpg

Source. wikipedia

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00814_2T7_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00782_MX3_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00784(1)_IJW_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00787_KNC_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00789_KYB_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00793_YL7_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00798_48Y_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00799_V5W_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00803_IXA_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00807_CO6_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00813_V24_PakWheels(com).jpg
View from the fort

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00817_MTZ_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00818_7CI_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00818(1)_PCS_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00838_IDH_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00842_VWQ_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00855_FLC_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00871_DK7_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00777_3TC_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00771_P5E_PakWheels(com).jpg
date palm trees - near Kot Diji Fort

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00874_UQ1_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00821_C6K_PakWheels(com).jpg

http://www.pakwheels.com/images/forums/2007/9/1/dsc00815_QIG_PakWheels(com).jpg

Absolutely great pics of Kot Diji. Thanks for sharing!

Nice :)

very nice, thank you.

Wonder if you kbboy, can attest to this Buddhist structure being somewhere in northern Punjab or Sarhad? I found it on trekearth under Pakistan but location wasn't identified.
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/58910/budhist_temple.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2096530575_88b0f29323_o.jpg
Ketas Complex

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2096538419_8e1f024ecf_o.jpg
A summersault dive into the ansoo lake at the Kitas Temple


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mafimushkala

I juss went to Katas two week back. Ive got over 500 pix of this places, each temple document in detail. We have a presentation this week in which every group has to present their detailed analysis on the site. Once i get free from that and get the pix named, i will post that bulk load on both the site.

Unfortunately being a HINDU site, located 30min drive from Kalarkahar M2, this place is a public toilet. It has been treated like that by the locals and the visitors. I met a molvi and he wuz urging people to pee over the site. Being an architect, i would give equal importance to every style of architecture, belonging to any religion. Good news is that the Punjab Govt is already taking care now. The conservation work has started, right now they are trying to clean up the mess, and make the space more legible through signboard n pavements. Around 2000 tourist were visiting this site the day i visited with my archi deptt.

The Red Domed building on the left is the RAM CHANDRA Temple on which i worked on in detail. I will post my pix in 2-3months time due to the bulk load.

^^I saw a program on PTV about Katas couple of years ago.
You should have slapped that idiot mullah on the face. It is a Muslim's duty to take care of the minorities and especially their places of worship.
I would pee on that mullah's face.

Anyways if the place gets 2000 visitors a day then it could be developed into a tourist attraction with some paid tours to generate some revenues etc.

2000 not on all days but since it is being goin on air for quite some time now, it will sure recieve more people. A little fee may prove to b a good hand in the future conservation work. Currently there is a tourism and information centre underconstruction. Hopefully when completed they might start charging tourist. I definately would say this place is no longer neglected and has a well conserved future.

^^I saw a program on PTV about Katas couple of years ago.
You should have slapped that idiot mullah on the face. It is a Muslim's duty to take care of the minorities and especially their places of worship.
I would pee on that mullah's face.

same here. :cheers:

Forget peeing and slapping the mullah... enjoy the many architectual gems scattered all over the country!

Here is Faiz Mahal in Khairpur, Sindh:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/1049461779_70fbb4a54d_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/134132279_c011ad4fc6_o.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/851224440_45f0e99bb1_b.jpg
Doorway to the Kotdiji Fort in Khairpur, Sindh

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/563187658_a97acd798d_o.jpg
Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1005128297_4344e29cc0_o.jpg
Tomb, Uch Sharif
In my opinion the most beautiful tomb in Pakistan :)

Awesome Pics


Would love to visit there

Forget peeing and slapping the mullah... enjoy the many architectual gems scattered all over the country!

Here is Faiz Mahal in Khairpur, Sindh:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/1049461779_70fbb4a54d_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/134132279_c011ad4fc6_o.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/851224440_45f0e99bb1_b.jpg
Doorway to the Kotdiji Fort in Khairpur, Sindh

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/563187658_a97acd798d_o.jpg
Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1005128297_4344e29cc0_o.jpg
Tomb, Uch Sharif
In my opinion the most beautiful tomb in Pakistan :)

True about being beautiful but also true about being most neglected !!

The last one is so cool is doesn't seem real!! amazing!!

Soo beautiful, my next trip to pakistan i will definetly go to these places other then just sitting at just one place. i m in love with the pictures of these beautiful art amazing

We would love to see your collection of pix when u come back! :D

That is a really good nite snap of Baltit fort. Im still in the editing process of my Baltit Fort Pix. Unfortunately i wuznt able to take a night shot but this was definately a well restored project under Agha Khan Board. Ill post my pix in the next few months. :D

The Uch Sharif pix seems treated to me as the clouds there are too constrasting to the one I took last March.

good pic

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2127/2140099167_7ea44975ef_o.jpg
200 year old makli grave structure

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2145687673_f135872d5e_o.jpg
15th century Mausoleum of Bibi Jawindi, Uch Sharif,

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2096530575_88b0f29323_o.jpg
Ketas Complex

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2096538419_8e1f024ecf_o.jpg
A summersault dive into the ansoo lake at the Kitas Temple


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mafimushkala


Here is one of my pix with Katas Raj in the background!

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/albums2/ATgAAAA7uI4JjzPjic9auu4rIlwhp6lKemW89fP0sgZXsvD_gb7H8-Jpefyr_r81wAM-4mAQhoxIuIkWJoyO6mzlLswJAJtU9VACVcdBIy8e29i28su9yu1JZCgA1g.jpg

Nice :yes:

Vote for BHONG MASJID in International Rating Section of SSC-->http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=569057


http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Bhong%20Masjid/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Bhong%20Masjid%20-%20Main%20Entrance%20-%2001%20copy.jpg

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Bhong%20Masjid/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Bhong%20Masjid%20-%20Main%20Entrance%20-%20Detail%20-%2007%20copy.jpg

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Bhong%20Masjid/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Bhong%20Masjid%20-%20Facade%20-%20Right%20Side%20-%2001%20copy.jpg

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Bhong%20Masjid/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Bhong%20Masjid%20-%20Main%20Prayer%20Hall%20-%20Interior%20-%20Main%20Hall%20-%20Mehrab%20-%2001%20copy.jpg

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Bhong%20Masjid/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Bhong%20Masjid%20-%20Main%20Prayer%20Hall%20-%20Interior%20-%20Main%20Hall%20-%20Window%20-%2002%20copy.jpg

Vote for QASR-E-GHAZI in International Rating Section of SSC-->http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=569075

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Qasr-e-Ghazi/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Qasr-e-Ghazi%20-%20Exterior%20-%20Front%20-%2001%20copy.jpg

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Qasr-e-Ghazi/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Qasr-e-Ghazi%20-%20Exterior%20-%20Left%20-%2001%20copy.jpg

http://www.urbanpk.com/upkgallery/citypictures/Sadiqabad/Qasr-e-Ghazi/Sadiqabad%20-%20Bhong%20Sharif%20-%20Qasr-e-Ghazi%20-%20Interior%20-%20Left%20Side%20Hall%20-%201%20-%2005%20copy.jpg

Hey Techno great pics. You should enter few of them to Kbboys's photo contest so more people can enjoy them.

The appreciation for all your effort is the least we could do. You put your money where your mouth is while most of us just do the talk.

Techno's da man. Hey I voted for the projects in the international forums but maybe you should have left the links in.

And is that you in the pic (with the beard)??

Thanks fer the appreciation guys!

Ill definately put more pix soon!

Mods could you plz bring back the link to the International Section of SSC so that members can vote....... :D

n Yes...Red Arrow that is me.... but that isnt a beard, it is my gotti....a little stretched! hehehehe

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2199478182_413d96b24e_o.jpg
Khaplu Palace , which is being restored by Agha Khan Cultural service, Pakistan and Govt of Norway.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98305089@N00

got any more details on this one? ^^^^
location, info?

got any more details on this one? ^^^^
location, info?

Ditto, this place needs to be known, so it can be preserved and saved from any furthur despair.

I found this on wikipedia:
Khaplu (35° 10' 0 N, 76° 19' 60 E, altitude 2,560m) is the capital town of the Ghangche District of northern Pakistan. Lying 103 km (64 miles) east of Skardu town, it was the second-largest kingdom in old Baltistan.

That entire area needs to be perserved because nearly everything there has so much historical value. I must say most things there are in good condition which is a bit suprising.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2265006543_27ebb153e8_o.jpg
Fort Ranikot


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2265686700_fd38a004b4_o.jpg
Katas Raj
(pics by aadil)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2265006543_27ebb153e8_o.jpg
Fort Ranikot
(pics by aadil)

It almost looks like a miniature version of the Great Wall of China. :laugh:

I was just thinking the same...

Where is Fort Ranikot located? Which province, distt?

^^ Google's your friend.

Ranikot is a large fort in the region of the Kirthar Range, about 30 km southwest of Sann, was in the Dadu district of Sindh now in district Jamshoro, approximately 90 km north of Hyderabad in Pakistan. It is one of the largest forts in the world. It has an approximate diameter of 6 km. Its walls are on the average 6 meters high and are made of gypsum and lime cut sandstone and total circumference is about 20 km. While originally constructed for bow and arrow warfare it was later expanded to withstand firearms.

It is reputed to be the largest unexplored fort in the world. The purpose of its construction and the reason for the choice of its location are still unknown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranikot_Fort

http://www.statesman.com.pk/pictures/Pix11-65.jpg

5,000 years ago, so it looks like it was a part of the Indus Valley civilization. But, i have never heard of this place, Lakhen Jodro, is it newly discovered?

Never heard of it or could find it anthing on it too. But Lakhen Jodro should be researched but its not gonna happen. :ohno:

Most likely has links to the Indus Valley civilization, the world's third oldest after Mesopatamia & Egyptians, I believe.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/30/SlideShow/pic25.jpg

PESHAWAR - April 29: THIS obelisk belongs to Colonel Canara, a Frenchman who commanded the Sikh artillery at Haripur against the British forces during the last days of Sikh rule in 1848. He was shot dead on the orders of Chatar Singh, the then governor of Hazara on July 6, 1848.Col Canara was also referred to as ‘Commedan Canara’ and ‘Kanora Singh’ in the Hazara Gazetteer of 1883-84.The obelisk,which is in need of care, was built near the old Dak Bungalow of Haripur during the British era and this portion of land was later converted into a public park.—

Rock art on the rocks

By Nisar Ahmad Khan

MANSEHRA, May 5: The cultural horizon of Pakistan is one of the most diverse and multifaceted in the world. The genesis of cultural activities on this soil can be traced back to thousands of years.
This area has witnessed at least two great civilisations -- Indus Valley and Gandhara -which have given birth to several other cultures. The soil of Pakistan is littered with the remnants of the past, in the form of thousands of archaeological sites, monuments, buildings, caves, inscriptions, rock art and graves.

The discovery of rock art in Northern Areas has highlighted another aspect of the rich cultural heritage of the country.The art has received special attention from experts within and outside the country. This provided an opportunity to understand the cultural evolution along the Silk Route and adjoining areas, brought about by the pil grims, traders and travelers.

Rock art serves as an invaluable chronicle of man’s evolution from Stone Age to historic period, covering a span of the last 30,000 years, giving us an insight into the inner feelings of mankind. The art collected and interpreted by scholars has yielded hitherto many unknown phases of history and have illustrated the cultural, social and economic life of its creators.

Over the years rock art was exposed to natural and human hazards. The harsh climate conditions and extremes of weather have continuously damaged it. At the same time, the local population cannot establish a link between their present-day beliefs, ethos, customs and traditions, therefore thousands of pieces of such artwork have already been disfigured, mutilated or even destroyed altogether.

The government of Pakistan was plan ning to build two big dams, Diamer Basha dam at Chilas and Dasu dam in district Kohistan to meet the power and water needs of the country. The reservoirs of the dams are expected to submerge the areas where the rock art is located. Moreover the re-routing of the Karakorum Highway is also expected to damage some rock carvings.

A team of the archaeologists of Hazara University is working to preserve and enlist the rock art under the chairmanship of vice chancellery of Hazara University, Dr Ihsan Ali.

Dr Ihsan met Wapda Chairman Shakeel Durrani the other day for the documentation of the endangered rock art in and around the Diamer Basha dam.

According to the archaeologists it was reported initially that Petroglyphs were only 19 in number and limited to a certain region, Chilas. But later research studies have shown that these carvings are scattered in a large area along the Indus River.

Such carvings have also been spotted in Khanbari, Thor, Hodar, Kiner, Thak, Shing, and Ges Bala valleys. Many of these carvings exist along the Indus River for a stretch of 25 kilometres on either side of the Chilas that will be submerged in the proposed Diamer Basha dam reservoir.

Realising the importance of documenting and preserving the Rock Carvings, Department of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Management, Hazara University, Mansehra, would conduct a detail survey and documentation of the endangered rock art in order to evaluate the extent of expected damage to it at the sites of the dam and to recommend measures for its protection, relocation and preservation.

Dr Ihsan told Dawn that a detail report for the preservation and relocation of the rock art had been submitted to Wapda chairman for the documentation, cutting, relocation and preservations of the rock art.

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Photographs/2008/05/06/183/06_05_2008_183_003_006.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/437124463_619d0159be_o.jpg
A beautiful 2nd century A.D. sculpture of the starving Buddha @ Lahore Museum. Lahore, Pakistan


Gandhara, Lahore Museum, Pakistan

Buddha was called Gotama Siddharta and lived in the 5th century B.C. The story goes that he was the son of a king who wanted to hide from him all the evils of the world so that he should not know anything but pure happiness and joy all his life. One day though the young prince slipped out of the palace and encountered reality for the first time; he saw old age, sickness and suffering and understood in a flash that he’d been living in a dream world all his life.

He packed his bags and set out to become and ascetic in the woods. He went months without sleep and food (see the starving Buddha in the Lahore museum) until he understood that punishing the self was not the way. Each time he conquered his appetites they returned again shortly afterwards. This led him to discovering the Middle Way. A path of spiritual moderation.

Finally he say down under a Bodhi tree and resolved not to move until he had discovered enlightenment. His moment of realisation came shortly before the dawn and then he spent the next 40 years of his life spreading the word.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/InfantBuddhaTakingABathGandhara2ndCenturyCE.jpg/800px-InfantBuddhaTakingABathGandhara2ndCenturyCE.jpg
The Buddha as a child, taking a bath. Gandhara, 2nd century CE. (Now in Berlin Museum)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/EmaciatedBuddha.JPG/387px-EmaciatedBuddha.JPG
The Buddha as an ascetic. Gandhara, 2-3rd century CE. British Museum.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/TheBuddhaAndVajrapaniGandhara2ndCentury.jpg/402px-TheBuddhaAndVajrapaniGandhara2ndCentury.jpg
Gautama Buddha with his protector Vajrapani (here holding a flywisk). Gandhara, 2nd century CE

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/BuddhaHead.JPG/418px-BuddhaHead.JPG
Gandhara Buddha, 1st-2nd century CE, Musée Guimet.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/SeatedBuddhaGandhara2ndCenturyOstasiatischeMuseum.jpg/467px-SeatedBuddhaGandhara2ndCenturyOstasiatischeMuseum.jpg
Seated Buddha, Gandhara, 2nd century CE.

Perhaps the title should have remained pre-islamic, instead of non-mughal. Just my 2c.

Perhaps the title should have remained pre-islamic, instead of non-mughal. Just my 2c.

Nice idea! Come on MODS!!!!! :mad:

Since I created this thread, let me clarify the idea behind it...It is for pictures archaeological sites that were built by other than the moghul empire (which began in the early 16th century)

Hence, the proposed title change do not reflect the meaning of this thread.....In other (and simpler) words the I will keep the current title.

Indus Valley Civilization - 5000 Years Old

A map showing the IVC (present day Sindh and Punjab)
http://moinansari.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/indus-civilization-map.jpg

Seals - The Harappan Bull
http://moinansari.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/harappan-bull-seal.jpghttp://moinansari.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/harappan-seal.jpg

IVC Trade With The World
http://moinansari.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/ancient-china-pakistan-trade-sumur1.jpg
The IVC traded with areas contiguous to it and to places as far as Hawaii.

Timeline of the IVC
http://moinansari.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/first-urban-civilization.jpg

edit- :| [what's the bloody point?]

^^ I don't believe the poster was trying to thrust modern history upon historic facts or anything. But basically owning upto the fact that majority of that civilization places are now in Pakistan. After all Mohenjodaro, by most accounts is known as the hub of that civilaztion.

But you also bring a good point that is, to use our shared historic heritage as an additional point to bring down the hostile attitude of neighbours and nurture an appreciation for eachother.

Hawaii historic connection with South-Asia? Interesting!

^ Why is "Indus Valley" blocked off with "Pakistan" in the above map?



The Indus Valley civilization is part of the collective history of the subcontinent and mutual respect for these historic sites and cultures can be an engagement point for the normalization of relations between the modern nation states. Modern nationalism shouldn't be thrust on history.



Oh lord you are one of the most jingoistic persons on this forum. Your reaction to the 'Pakistan' label in the pic and ignoring the other pic, which showed the whole of the sub-continent, is evidence of that. Quite ironic that you are coming here to lecture others on 'modern nationalism'. :lol:

edit- :| [what's the bloody point?]

^^I don't think you would have even bothered to post if it was 'India' instead of 'Pakistan' written there. Moreover the majority of Pakistanis track their lineage and cultural ties to Central Asia, Turkey and Iran more than they would do to India. Heck in fact I would say it was India which borrows a major part of its civilization and culture from central asian invaders who ruled over it for centuries. I could go on and on about this rather sensitive topic, but that would just get the thread locked.

edit- :| [what's the bloody point?]

Its a map for gods sake.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Ruins_of_tulamba_01.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/Ruins_of_tulamba_02.jpg

Tulamba is more than 2500 years old. People say that Tulamba was here even in the era of Noah. Tulamba faced many armies as it was in the way to famous Multan. The forces coming from North and West had to pass from Tulamba to go to Multan.

The ruins of older city are on a distance of one kilometre from the city. Though they are in miserable condition due to rains and negligence, but their bricks are still visible. When Dr. Sayyed Zahid Ali Wasti visited Tulamba in 1967, he saw the ruins spread in the area of several miles. He saw a Fort with walls and a very high Tower. He saw a three thousand years old trench around the fort which was dig for the protection of the fort. He describes that walls were beautifully plastered with mud and floors were not solid. Yet most of his description is now unpredictable, because ruins are very much destroyed now.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/96/Map_of_tulamba_01.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4e/RoadMap_Tulamba_01.jpg/800px-RoadMap_Tulamba_01.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulamba

http://www.dawn.net/wps/wcm/connect/2154b9004b7ca941a776b72228067851/shahjahan_400.jpg?MOD=AJPERES

^^ Singaporean, this is a thread only for Pakistan's Non-Mughal Heritage.

Though you bring up a good point of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan.

We currently have 6 places on the list:


Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (1980)
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol (1980)
Taxila (1980)
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (1981)
Historical Monuments of Thatta (1981)
Rohtas Fort (1997)


Though the Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore are listed as being under "Danger". :ohno:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/

Is there any way that a country can increase the number of World Heritage Sites that it has? I mean is there a way to get more places onto the list???

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2511572463_ec0d44c3c8_b.jpg
The tomb of Jam Nido at Makli Hills, Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

One of the largest necropolises in the world, with a diameter of approximately 8 kilometers, Makli Hill is supposed to be the burial place of some 125,000 Sufi saints. It is located on the outskirts of Thatta, the capital of lower Sind until the seventeenth century, in what is the southeastern province of present-day Pakistan. [1]

Legends abound about its inception, but it is generally believed that the cemetery grew around the shrine of the fourteenth-century Sufi, Hamad Jamali. The tombs and gravestones spread over the cemetery are material documents marking the social and political history of Sind.

Imperial mausoleums are divided into two major groups, those from the Samma (1352–1520) and Tarkhan (1556–1592) periods. The tomb of the Samma king, Jam Nizam al-Din (reigned 1461–1509), is an impressive square structure built of sandstone and decorated with floral and geometric medallions. Similar to this is the mausoleum of Isa Khan Tarkhan II (d. 1651), a two-story stone building with majestic cupolas and balconies. In contrast to the syncretic architecture of these two monuments, which integrate Hindu and Islamic motifs, are mausoleums that clearly show the Central Asian roots of the later dynasty. An example is the tomb of Jan Beg Tarkhan (d. 1600), a typical octagonal brick structure whose dome is covered in blue and turquoise glazed tiles. Today, Makli Hill is a United Nations World Heritage Site that is visited by both pilgrims and tourists.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2037372466_1b6c90bebb_b.jpg

Ancient Still.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/2036572257_2fd0b926b2_b.jpg

^^ This museum is downright awesome, everyone should visit it at least once. I went a long time ago, will go again someday.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2511572463_ec0d44c3c8_b.jpg
The tomb of Jam Nido at Makli Hills, Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

One of the largest necropolises in the world, with a diameter of approximately 8 kilometers, Makli Hill is supposed to be the burial place of some 125,000 Sufi saints. It is located on the outskirts of Thatta, the capital of lower Sind until the seventeenth century, in what is the southeastern province of present-day Pakistan. [1]

Legends abound about its inception, but it is generally believed that the cemetery grew around the shrine of the fourteenth-century Sufi, Hamad Jamali. The tombs and gravestones spread over the cemetery are material documents marking the social and political history of Sind.

Imperial mausoleums are divided into two major groups, those from the Samma (1352–1520) and Tarkhan (1556–1592) periods. The tomb of the Samma king, Jam Nizam al-Din (reigned 1461–1509), is an impressive square structure built of sandstone and decorated with floral and geometric medallions. Similar to this is the mausoleum of Isa Khan Tarkhan II (d. 1651), a two-story stone building with majestic cupolas and balconies. In contrast to the syncretic architecture of these two monuments, which integrate Hindu and Islamic motifs, are mausoleums that clearly show the Central Asian roots of the later dynasty. An example is the tomb of Jan Beg Tarkhan (d. 1600), a typical octagonal brick structure whose dome is covered in blue and turquoise glazed tiles. Today, Makli Hill is a United Nations World Heritage Site that is visited by both pilgrims and tourists.

its just tooooo good. woww. is it one of its kind in thatta or we have many sites with such detailed work there??? howz the condition of whole structure? i know our conservation department does not have enough resources and manpower.

the blend of islamic and hindu motifs is amazing. Qutub minar in delhi is best example of such style.

thanks for posting it

Mehrgurh - Balochistan

http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/10%20MehrgurhStatiues-1.JPG http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/12%20figurine4.jpg
http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/5%20Statuette_Mehrgarh.jpg
http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/19%205186_0112_10_lg.jpg
http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/25%20Mehrgarh%20bowl%203300%20B.C.-3000%20B.C.,%20with%20a%20Very%20Rare%20single%20humped%20striped%20patterned%20camel,%20wit.jpghttp://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/37%20Indus%20Valley%20Mehrgarh%20Jar%20two%20striped%20Zebu%20bulls.jpg

http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/21%20mehragurh%20vase%20bull.jpg

http://www.jalrox.com/mehrgarh/slides/1%20mehrgarh_dentistes,.jpg

^^ very scary i must admit, make me feel bad.

Museum to preserve remains at Bhasha

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/images/2009/07/13/20090713_35.jpg

* Ministry of Culture trying to preserve heritage site in collaboration with German Heidelberg Academy

ISLAMABAD: In order to protect ancient Gandhara remains found at the site of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, the Ministry of Culture has decided to build an open-air museum at Chilas to preserve the archaeological find.

Instead of putting the originals on display, three-dimensional replicas of the rock carvings and inscriptions - thought to be thousands of years old - would be put up in the museum. The Pak-German Archaeological Mission has documented around 50,000 rock engravings and inscriptions.

Trying our best: An official from the Ministry of Culture said the ministry was trying their best to get this done as soon as possible and that their representatives had met with people from WAPDA and the German Archaeological Mission to document and preserve the remains, some of the last remaining signs of the ancient Gandhara people.

During these meetings, the process of extracting and moving the artefacts was also discussed, however, it was pointed out that it would not be feasible to undertake such a mammoth task while the dam was being constructed, and that topographical constraints necessitated the use of special granite-cutting machinery, which would require considerable funding, the official added.

The Heidelberg Academy of Germany is working with the Ministry of Culture to preserve the find. The site is part of a series of pre-historic rock art sites, dotting the high mountains of northern Pakistan in the Hindu Kush, Himalayas and Karakoram ranges. These artworks were found in caves and other sites along the banks of the Upper Indus. So far, more than 50,000 rock carvings and inscriptions have been discovered around the Chilas and Thalpan areas in Diamer District, dated from the Epipalaeolithic or Neolithic periods (9th/8th millennium BC) to the coming of Islam (16th century). app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C07%5C13%5Cstory_13-7-2009_pg7_29

Buddah on the Rocks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tango48/318606472/

Hindu temple - Malot

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3340796304_3499b4cd36_o.jpg

The location of the Malot fort is about 15 kilometers westward form Katas. Here, on a hilltop is the ancient fort, which was built around 980AD. It is said that over here the last Hindu Shahi Raja Mal embraced Islam. In days gone-by the town and fort of Malot covered and area of over 5square kilometers. Two Hindu temples, which are located here, are beautiful specimens of ancient Kashmir architecture. The Malot temples, built of local red sand stones of salt range mountains, are located on the road leading to Malot village near Choi village. The road is linked with main Kallar Kahar road from where it turns from Karuli Chowk towards Malot via Pakistan cement factory and Choi village along with coalmines. It is 12 kilometers away from Kallar Kahar in the east. The Malot was also called Namrod and Ramrod. The name is after the King of MalDev or Malu. The Rajput history claims its name Malot from the word Malik-Kot, 4 as they believed that the title of Malik was given to the one who accepted annexation to the Muslim King of Delhi although in reward the Malik enjoyed the autonomous status with full sovereignty in the assigned area. The Mughal King Baber’s travelogue “Tuzk-e-Babri” attests to the corollary of Malik-Kot, Mal-Kot and then Malot.

The Brahman Bali Hindus till 1947 looked after the two present temples. They frequently visited the Guru of Bali Hindus, Guru Tarlok Nath shrines. In the year 1527 Daulat khan the royal forces of Mughal king Babur, to surrender, forced Lodhi. Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit singh, also built a small fort here at Malot in early 19th century. Alexander Cunningham wrote in his report for the Archaeological Survey of India in 1872-3, "The only remains of any antiquity at Malot are a temple and gateway in the Kashmirian style of architecture. They are built of a coarse sandstone of various shades of ochreous red and yellow, and many parts have suffered severely from the action of the weather, the surface having altogether crumbled away...The temple is a square of 18 feet inside, with a vestibule or entrance porch on the east towards the gateway. The gateway is...a massive building...divided into two rooms...On each side of these rooms to the north and south there are highly decorated niches for the reception of statues, similar to those in the portico of the temple. These niches are covered by trefoil arches which spring from flat pilasters. Each capital supports a statue of a lion under a half trefoil canopy...The roof is entirely gone; but judging from the square shape of the building, I conclude that it must have been pyramidal, outside with flat panelled ceilings of overlapping stones."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/awahid/3340796304/in/set-72157603236168743

Lake Ansoo - Katas

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3347852325_cd5473d19c_o.jpg

The Hindu sacred place “Katas” is located in the salt range at a distance of 18 miles in the south of Chakwal. The mention of Katas is found in “Maha Bharat” which was written in 300 BC. The etymology of this place as narrated in the old edition of “Tarikh-e-Jhelum” is that according to Brahaman’s belief, Shiv Devta wept so profusely on the death of his beloved wife Satti that two holy ponds one at Pushkar of Ajmair and other at Katak Shell came into being with his tears. In Sanskrit, the word “Katak Shell” means chain of tears, which later on was pronounced as “Katas”. According to Gen. Cunningham, Katas was considered the second largest holy place in Punjab for Hindu pilgrims after the Jawala Mukhi. It is said that famous Pando brothers spent 12 years in Katas and built the temples of Satghara. It is said that Al-Bairuni also spent some period at Katas to learn Sanskrit in a linguistic university, which, at that time, was established here. During his stay at Katas and Nandana Fort, Al-Bairuni wrote a famous book “Kitab-ul-Hind” which depicted the religion, scientific knowledge, and social customs of Hindus. Al-Bairuni during his stay at Katas not only learned Sanskrit but also performed various geographic experiments and eventually succeeded in discovering the radius of the earth. The Pandavas, it is believed, constructed these temples. Efforts are being made to restore and renovate these temples. There are also cave-type structures near the temples that, it is believed, were used for meditation purposes. At a short distance from the temple, there is also the haveli of Hari Singh Nalwa, who used to be a General in the Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The place is mentioned in Maha Bharat and according to Hindu religious belief; both Katas and the Paskar (Ajmer) are the eyes of Shiva. Paras Nath Jogi breathed his last here. Guru Nanak also visited Katas. It was the abode of contemplation for larger groups of mystics and Jogies. According to Gen Cunningham, Katas was considered the second largest holy place in Punjab for Hindu pilgrims after Jawala Mukhi. It is said famous Pando brothers spent 12 years in Katas and built the temples of Satghara. Temples at Katas have been transferred from the federal government to the Punjab Archeology Department recently.
[National Institute of Pakistan studies: QAU Isb]

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TAKHT BAI:

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Takht Bahi (or Takhtbai or Takht-i-Bahi) is a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the 1st century BCE. 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.

Takht means "throne" and bahi, "water" or "spring" in Urdu. The monastic complex was called Takht-i-Bahi because it was built atop a hill watered by a spring.

It is located about 15 kilometers from Mardan in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province. A small fortified city, dating from the same era, sits nearby. The ruins also sit near a modern village known by the same name.

Structure

There are four main areas of the Takht Bhai complex:

The "Stupa Court", a cluster of stupas located in a central courtyard.
The monastic chambers, consisting of individual cells arranged around a courtyard, assembly halls, and a dining area.

A temple complex, consisting of stupas and similar to the Stupa Court, but of later construction.

The Tantric monastic complex, which consists of small, dark cells with low openings, which may have been used for certain forms of Tantric meditation.
Additional structures on the site may have served as residences or meeting halls, or filled secular purposes. All of the buildings on the site are constructed from local stone, and are mortared with lime and mud.

History

The monastic complex likely was founded in the early 1st Century BCE.Despite numerous invasions into the area, Takht Bhai's hilltop location seems to have protected it from destruction, unlike many comparable early Buddhist monastic complexes.The complex was occupied continuously until the modern era, when charitable funding for the site ended.

Archaeologists have divided the history of the complex at Takht Bhai into four periods, beginning in the 1st Century BCE. This first era continued until the 2nd Century CE, and is associated with the Kushan king Kanishka, as well as early Parthian and later Kushana king. The second construction period, which included the creation of the Stupa Court and assembly hall, took place during the 3rd and 4th Centuries CE. A third construction period, associated with the later Kushan dynasty and the Kidara Kushana rulers, occurred during the 4th and 5th centuries. The final construction period, which saw the creation of the so-called Tantric complex, took place in the 6th and 7th Centuries CE, and was overseen by invading Hun rulers.

The first moder historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by the French Officer, General Court. Explorations and excavations on this site began in 1864. The site underwent a major restoration in the 1920's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takht_Bhai

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MAITREYA

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Maitreya (Sanskrit) or Metteyya (Pāli) is a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Śākyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya is found in the canonical literature of all Buddhist sects (Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna) and is accepted by most Buddhists as a statement about an actual event that will take place in the distant future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya

Buddha Shakyamuni

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Shakyamuni who was said to be a "Buddha" by his followers, existed in a climate, apparantly, where he was believed to be not the only Buddha. He taught in a society that was dominated by the early proponants of something called "Brahmanism" which arrogated priestly and religious functions into a single class of people. For Brahmans "Karma" meant you were born in a certain situation and you were stuck there. Brahmanism taught that there were four (or six) castes of people. Brahmans, Kshatrias, Vaishyas, and Sudras. And that below them were people who were "untouchable." The Kshyatrias were warriors and kings. The Brahmans priests, Vaishyas traders, merchants, and similar. And the Sudras were farmers and laborers. The untouchables were people who were defiled by work that brought them in contact with defiled meats, corpses, and etceteras. For the Brahmans these "castes" became matters of "karma" and unchangeable.

For the Buddha, Buddhahood was not only for the elite. He and many of his followers were from the class of the Warriors and Kings. His efforts for enlightenment were later recaste in almost warrior-like language in order to appeal to and be understood by them. In his teachings, not only did he use examples of other Buddhas in other lands and times, he didn't teach that Buddhahood was solely the property of himself. Later, for the sake of reigning in arrogance, his followers laid the claim for being a Buddha to him specifically and theoretically. But he taught the principle that the purpose of the Buddha was to make all beings equal.

He appears to have been stimulated by different overlapping cultural heritages. One the one hand he inherited the Sanskrit above mentioned, Brahmanical tradition with it's "upanishads" and religious traditions. And on the other hand there were other traditions as well. There were traditions that were inherited from the Shamanism and occult practices of the people of India who weren't Ayran language speakers. There is some evidence that Buddhism arose from these traditions that predate Shakyamuni. And they influenced the rise of the "yogic" and "Tantra" traditions in the entire area.

Buddhism and indeed most World Religion beliefs rise from the cross fertilization between interlocked and interacting cultures. In this case the Indo-Iranian Cultural Complex (which extended as far in influence as Europe and included Hittites, Greeks, Persians as well as "Sanscrit" speakers in it's sphere of inheritance) and the Indian Subcontinent Cultural Complex reflected in this day by the so-called "Dravidian" languages. There is no question but that he was aware of the teachings of his times. Before he reached enlightenment he experimented with a number of existing contemplative traditions.

http://www.geocities.com/chris_holte/Buddhism/shakyamuni.html

Ruins of Shrines at Taxila, Pakistan

Greek, Persian and Hindu niches which once housed statues of Buddha, at the Stupa of the Two-Headed Eagle, in the ancient ruined city of Sirkap. Taxila, Pakistan.

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© 2001-2009 by Corbis Corporation. All visual media © by Corbis Corporation

good research Rahim :cheers:

TAXILA

Taxila is an important archaeological site in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It dates back to the Ancient Indian period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takshashila (also Takkasila or Taxila) an important Vedic/Hindu and Buddhist centre of learning from the 6th century BCE to the 5th century CE. In 1980, Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with multiple locations.

Historically, Taxila lay at the crossroads of three major trade routes: the royal highway from Pāaliputra; the north-western route through Bactria, Kāpiśa, and Pukalāvatī (Peshawar); and the route from Kashmir and Central Asia, via Śrinigar, Mansehra, and the Haripur valley across the Khunjerab pass to the Silk Road.

Taxila is situated about 32 km (20 mi) to the north-west of Islamabad Capital Territory—and Rawalpindi in Punjab—just off the Grand Trunk Road. Its elevation above the sea-level is 549 metres (1,800 ft).

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TAXILA

The Ruins
The ruins of Taxila consist of many different parts of the city buildings and buddhist stupas which are located in a large area. The main ruins of Taxila are divided into three major cities, each belonging to a distinct time period.

The oldest of these is Bhir Mound, which dates from the sixth century B.C.E. The second city of Taxila is located at Sirkap and was built by Greco-Bactrian kings in the second century B.C.E. The third and last city of Taxila is at Sirsukh and relates to the Kushan kings.

In addition to the ruins of the city, a number of buddhist monasteries and stupas also belong to the Taxila area. Some of the important ruins of this category include the ruins of the stupa at Dharmarajika, the monastery at Jaulian, the monastery at Mohra Muradu in addition to a number of stupas.

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TAXILA

Taxila mentioned in history

The city of Taxila is mentioned by the Chinese monk Faxian (also called Fa-Hien), who visited ancient sites of Buddhism in India. He came to Taxila in 405 CE. In his book "A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms, Being an Account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Hien of his Travels in India and Ceylon in Search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline" he mentions the kingdom of Takshasila (or Chu-cha-shi-lo) meaning "the severed Head" (Chapter 11). He says that this name was derived from an event in the life of Buddha because this is the place "where he gave his head to a man".

Xuanzang (also called Hieun Tsang), another Chinese monk, visited Taxila in 630 CE. He mentions the city as Ta-Cha-Shi-Lo. The city appears to have already been ruins by his time.

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TAXILA

Taxila mentioned in history

Takshashila was an early center of learning dating back to at least the 5th century BCE. There is some disagreement about whether Takshashila can be considered a university. While some consider Taxila to be an early university or centre of higher education, others do not consider it a university in the modern sense, in contrast to the later Nalanda University. Takshashila is described in some detail in later Jātaka tales, written in Sri Lanka around the 5th century CE.

Takshashila is considered a place of religious and historical sanctity by Hindus and Buddhists. The former do so not only because, in its time, Takshashila was the seat of Vedic learning, but also because the strategist, Chanakya, who later helped consolidate the empire of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, was a senior teacher there. The institution is very significant in Buddhist tradition since it is believed[citation needed] that the Mahāyāna sect of Buddhism took shape there.

Some scholars date Takshashila's existence back to the 6th century BCE or 7th century BCE. It became a noted centre of learning at least several centuries before Christ, and continued to attract students from around the old world until the destruction of the city in the 5th century CE. Takshashila is perhaps best known because of its association with Chanakya. The famous treatise Arthashastra (Sanskrit for The knowledge of Economics) by Chanakya, is said to have been composed in Takshashila itself. Chanakya (or Kautilya), the Maurya Emperor Chandragupta and the Ayurvedic healer Charaka studied at Taxila.

Generally, a student entered Takshashila at the age of sixteen. The Vedas and the Eighteen Arts, which included skills such as archery, hunting, and elephant lore, were taught, in addition to its law school, medical school, and school of military science.

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BHALLAR STUPA

The Bhallar Stupa occupies a commanding position on the last spur of the Sarda hill, which bounds the Haro Valley on the north, and is situated at the side of the Havalian Railway, about 8 km from the museum. According to Hsuan Tsang, it was originally built by the Emperor Ashoka to commemorate the spot where the Buddha in a previous existence had made an offering of his head, but if ever Ashoka erected a monument here, no trace of it is now discoverable. The existing stupa dates back no further than the early medieval period. It stood on a lofty oblong base, ascended on its eastern side by a broad flight of steps. The body of the superstructure above this base consisted, as usual, of a drum and dome surmounted by one or more umbrellas. The drum, which is strikingly high in proportion to the diameter of the monument, was divided into six or seven tiers, diminishing in size from the bottom upwards and decorated with rows of decadent Corinthian pilasters, friezes and dentil cornices. The northern half of the stupa has entirely fallen, and on this side the relic chamber, which was set near the top of the drum, is now exposed to view.

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SIRKAP

Sirkap is the name of an archaeological site on the bank opposite to the city of Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan.

The city of Sirkap was built by the Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius after he invaded India around 180 BC. Demetrius founded in the northern and northwestern Indian subcontinent an Indo-Greek kingdom that was to last until around 10 BC. Sirkap is also said to have been rebuilt by king Menander I.

The excavation of the old city was carried out under the supervision of Sir John Marshall by Hergrew from 1912-1930. In 1944 and 1945 further parts were excavated by Mortimer Wheeler and his colleagues.

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^^ Absolutely Awesome Rahim.

Much of that is probably unseen even by most Pakistanis. Hope more efforts are made to preserve it.

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Here is more abt the forgotten cave city "Gondrani"

The Cave Dwellings of Gondrani
by Owais Mughal

Ancient cave civilizations are found in many countries of the world. In Pakistan also, some cave dwellings have been found at a place Gondrani (or Roghan Shar or shehr-e-roghan) in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

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Who Built These Caves:

As with several other historical sites in Pakistan, there is some dearth of exact knowledge on to who built these caves. In the absence of exact archaeological knowledge there are atleast a couple of theories and myths about who built these caves. One of these theories sounds like a possibility to me and the other one seems like a myth but I will let our readers decide on whichever version they want to belive in.

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1)According to first theory these caves were built by the Buddhists in 7th century A.D. Reference to this claim are found in a book called ‘Al-Hind, the making of the Indo-Islamic world’. In this book there is a chapter called ‘The Frontier of Al-Hind’. An exceprt from this chapter goes like this:

In effect, at eighteen kilometer north west of Lasbela (now called Bela), at Gandakahar, newar the ruins of an ancient town, are the caves of Gondrani, and as their construction shows these caves were undoubtedly Buddhist.

This theory seems more reasonable as the presence of Buddhists in this area is also documented by Sir Thomas Holdich in these words:

“After Alexander’s death, one of his generals, Seleukas Nickator, became ruler of central and Western Asia. For many centuries after this, nothing can be traced about the history. In early seventh century the ruler of Armabel (present Bela) was a Buddhist Somani. Chach usurped the throne of the dynasty of Sindh and marched to Bela in 636 AD. Chach was cordially received at Bela and was impressed with the loyalty of the people of Bela.”

Notes:
(1) Brahman Chach was the ruler of Sindh in 7th century A.D. Lasbela at that time was part of a state called Gandava and was governed by a Buddhist.
(2) Colonel Sir Thomas Hungerford Holdich, (1843-1929) was an English geographer and president of the Royal Geographical Society. Among other achievements, he is credited with extensive surveying he did in Balochistan.

Another reference about possible Buddhist connection of Gondrani caves comes from the Imperial Gazetteer of India as follows:

The caves at Gondrani, north of Bela, hewn out of the solid conglomerate rock and possibly of Buddhist origin; and the highly ornamented tombs at Hinidan and other places, affording evidence of a system of superterrene burial, constitute the more important archaeological remains in the State.

The above reference clearly talks about historical Buddhist influence in the area around present day Bela therefore it is very likely the caves of Gondrani were built by Buddhists in the 7th century A.D.

(2) According to second theory which is more like a local myth goes like this:

Legend has it that this was the city of a nameless king during the reign of King Solomon. The king had a beautiful daughter, Badiul Jamal, who was tormented by six hideous demons who attempted to carry her off. Seven heroes came to her rescue, but all died trying to save her. Then prince Saif-ul-Muluk ride into the scene, vanquished the demons and won the princess.

It is interesting to note the myth/story of Saif-ul-Muluk in this area as well as hundreds of kilometer in North along river Kunhar. It also shows the persian influence in this area. The characters of Saif-ul-Muluk and princess Badiul Jamal come from an old Persian folktale of a prince and a fairy.

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How to Get There:

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These caves can be reached by Karachi-Quetta Highway N25 - formerly RCD Highway. The city of Bela is located at kilometer marker 175 from Karachi.

Few kilometers north of Bela, a dirt track goes towards left (north-west). The caves are reached after a few kilometers of travel on this dirt track. The total distance of these caves from Bela is between 15 km to 18 km. The dirt road leads across a stony waste past several scattered huts to a small stream, across which is the opening of a narrow gorge whose sides are packed with hundreds of cave houses.

The map below shows the location of Gondrani as compared to major highways in the area as well as in comaprison on Hingol National Park. M8 is the Rato Dero-Gawadar Motorway, N10 is the Karachi-Iran coastal highway and N25 is the Karachi-Quetta highway.

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The Construction Features of Gondrani Caves:

These caves are built in several levels. Walkways connect together the caves. The houses are generally one small room with hearths and wall niches for lamps. There are also some with a veranda infront. The ceilings are all darkened from wood smoke.

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GPS Coordinates for Gondrani Caves:

Latitude: 26.3978
Longitude: 66.2261

Link http://pakistaniat.com/2009/07/07/the-cave-dwellings-of-gondrani/

^^ A very nice Brief History About Ancient Pakistan! Well Done :happy:

Katas Raj temple complex

Katas Raj temple complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. There are stories about the Pandavas spending time there during their long exile. The lake in the complex is believed to have magical powers and supposed to be where Yudhishtir defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life.

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Rohtas Fort, (Qila Rohtas) was built essentially for military purposes. Following the defeat of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1541, Sher Shah Suri built a strong fortified complex at Rohtas, a strategic site about 16 kilometres north-west of the city of Jhelum.

Rawat Fort In early 16th century. The grave of a Gakkhar Chief, Sultan Sarang Khan is located inside the fort. He died in 1546 AD fighting against the forces of Sher Shah Suri. If one dares to climb the broken steps inside the tomb, one may get a panoramic view of the plateau and the Mankiala Stupa.

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JAIN TEMPLE

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Taxila: Jandial Temple

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Jain temple

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I found the pics at another forum but nobody seems to know what it is apart from a tomb. I am curious to know who built it, when, and why? The place is deserted and seems odd to build a tomb there.

Its located in the Kharan district of Balochistan.

Galuga Necropolis: There are about 10 tombs visible, all filled with skulls like these.
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Goluga: One of the tombs.
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Inside one of the large broken down tombs: At Galuga, Mashkell
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A tomb at Galuga: There are just a few tombs here - about 10-12, and a few more which have now in ruins. These are open tombs, with the bottoms laid to rest on the ground. Each tomb has many human skeletons in it.
http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/taftan_plantak_2005/Galuga-62.jpg

Inside view of one of the levels of a tomb at Galuga: Each tomb is in 2 to 3 levels.
http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/taftan_plantak_2005/Galuga-74.jpg


The tombs of Galuga - some strange dome shaped brick buildings which nobody knows the history of, but still containing bones and skulls from the people who were entombed there. Nestled in amongst the palm trees the tombs made a very photogenic sight.
http://www.overland-underwater.com/media/20051122b/Images/galuga.jpg
http://www.overland-underwater.com/media/20051122b/Images/yorick.jpg

I also read somewhere that in each tomb, there are 2 levels. The 1st level is filled with many skulls & bones, but the 2nd level contains only 1 skeleton, as if the tomb belongs to a family with the whole family on the 1st level & the man of the house on the 2nd. Can't find the link now, unfortunately.

After a long discussion with a friend, we arrived at the conclusion that these are Zoroastrian tombs, because they did not bury their dead, rather left them on top of towers for vultures to feed on. Zoroastrians are ethnically Persians.

Excellent stuff!

History of Pakistan
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Mohenjo-daro_Priesterk%C3%B6nig.jpeg/150px-Mohenjo-daro_Priesterk%C3%B6nig.jpeg

BCE
Soanian People ~500,000
Mehrgarh Culture 7000–2800
Indus Valley Civilization 3300–1750
Vedic Civilization 2000–600
Indo-Greek Kingdom 250-10AD
Gandhara Civilization 200–1000AD
Indo-Scythian Kingdom 200–400AD

CE
Indo-Parthian Kingdom 21–130
Kushan Empire 60–135
Rai Dynasty 489–632
Umayyad Caliphate 661–750
Pala Empire 770–850
Ghaznavid Empire 963–1187
Mamluk dynasty 1206–1290
Khilji dynasty 1290–1320
Tughlaq dynasty 1320–1413
Sayyid dynasty 1414–1451
Lodhi dynasty 1451–1526
Mughal Empire 1526–1858
Durrani Empire 1747–1823
Sikh Confederacy 1733–1805
Sikh Empire 1799–1849
British Indian Empire 1849–1947
Dominion of Pakistan 1947-1956
Islamic Republic since 1956

Soanian People
The Soanian is an archaeological culture of the Lower Paleolithic (ca. 500,000 to 1250,000 BP) in the Siwalik region of Pakistan. Contemporary to the Acheulean, it is named after the Soan Valley. The bearers of this culture were Homo erectus.

In Adiyala and Khasala about 16 km from Rawalpindi on the bend of the Soan River hundreds of edged pebble tools were discovered. At Chauntra hand axes and cleavers were found. No human skeletons of this age have yet been found. In the Soan River Gorge many fossil bearing rocks are exposed on the surface. 14 million year old fossils of gazelle, rhinoceros, crocodile, giraffe and rodents have been found there.

Some of these fossils are on display at the Natural History Museum of Islamabad.

really amazing stuff ! pakistan needs to may more attentions and take more pride in it's glorious ancient pre-islamic heritage.

I know it's a bit old but still an important discovery i thought i'd post it here :)

peshawar oldest living city in south asia

PESHAWAR: Archaeologists are resuming excavation at historic Gor Khatri monument to discover the exact archaeological profile of ancient Peshawar, presently enjoying the distinction of oldest living city in South Asia.
A recent archaeology excavation at Gor Khatri has established the city's historical profile and now Peshawar is officially claimed by Archaeology Department to be the 'Oldest Living City' in South Asia, boasting a recorded history that goes back as far as at least 539 BC.

“Still after claiming to be the oldest living city of South Asia, the exact archaeological profile of Peshawar is not discovered yet because the excavation at Gor Khatri was stopped before reaching the virgin soil due to shortage of funds,” informed Saleh Muhammad, Director Archaeology and Museum Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The provincial government, he added, has now included the project for resuming of excavation at Gor Khatri in the Annual Development Plan of new budget and work is going to start soon.

“Once the capital of Gandhara, Peshawar is so old that its origins are lost in antiquity,” remarked Dr. Ihsan Ali, former Director Archeology Museum Department and presently Vice Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan.

The claim is firmly grounded upon two significant archaeological findings during excavation at Governor's House in 1906 and at the ongoing archaeological dig at Gor Khatri, Dr. Ehsan said during his recent lecture at Wali Khan University.

Dr. Ihsan Ali said presently exact profile of Peshawar city does not exist and it is not clear that exactly how old Peshawar city is.

Quoting renowned Archaeologist, Syed Abdul Qudoos, Prof Ehsan said ‘Peshawar is a true metropolis of orient and the legendry city has many secrets to share.’

The history of Peshawar is a story of different people and of many cultures, conquered by Greeks, ruled by Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt by the Brahmins, invaded by Ghaznavis, captured by the Mughals, over run by the Sikhs and annexed by the British in succession, he added.

“Resumption of excavation at Gor Khatri would enrich the archaeological profile of Peshawar because we are hoping of discovering more evidences of life beyond the period from 4 to 6 century BC”, observed Saleh Muhammad.

The excavation at Gor Khatri, which continued for four years and published in the British Journal 'Current World Archaeology' with the title as 'The deepest and biggest excavation in the world' revealed 20 layers that provide a complete profile of the city ranging from British down to the pre Indo-Greek era.

The excavation discovered that Peshawar was a province of Persian Alchamenian Empire in 4 to 6 century BC, he added.

He apprised that from Alchamenian, it came under the sway of many different influences and rulers namely Mauryans, Greeks, Scythians, Kushans, Sasanians, White Huns, Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Slave Dynasty, Ghorids, Suri Afghans, Mughals, Durrani Afghans, Sikhs and the British before creation of Pakistan.

This claim can be verified through discovery of antiques during excavation which have been displayed at city’s museum set up within the premises of Gor Khatri. The museum provides detailed information about archaeological and ethnological profile of Peshawar.

The museum, he continued, was set up with the objective of highlighting the archaeological importance of Peshawar city throughout the world by displaying the antiques recovered during excavation.

“Welcoming the development, Dr. Ali Jan, spokesman of Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC), when contacted observed that enriching of Peshawar's profile would enhance its archaeological importance and help STC to attract more tourists and history lovers to the city.

By discovering more evidence that Peshawar is much older than the claim of 2,600 years, the city can be included in the list of oldest living cities of Asia or may be of world like Jerusalem and Damascus, he hoped.

The present excavation has placed Peshawar proudly in the ranks of very few other cities in the world and digging more evidence will further boost its distinction, he added.

He also informed that while keeping in view the long chronicle of Peshawar with its living culture and remnants of the past, the provincial government, acting on a recommendation made by STC, has declared the year 2010 as a 'Celebrate Peshawar' year.

In this connection, he continued, several events would be organized in November and December of current year with the objective of giving special recognition to the archaeological profile of Peshawar.

“Apart from government efforts, it is also the responsibility of the dwellers of Peshawar to preserve their cultural heritage, identity and legacy for future generations,” remarked Ali Jan. – APP Feature Service


http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/03-peshawar-oldest-living-city-in-south-asia-ss-09