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Buddhist settlement unearthed in Kashmir

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The recent discovery of an ancient Buddhist settlement in the forest ranges of Gurwait in Kashmir's central Budgam reveals another glorious chapter in India's history.

The settlement, found by a local farmer, is made mostly of baked terracotta tiles. "We unearthed tiles of various shapes and patterns. The motifs stamped on them are floral and of geometrical designs," says Mohammad Hussain Mukhdoomi, deputy director archaeology, archives and museums, Kashmir, who led the team which unearthed the settlement.

He adds that these are the symbolic representation of Buddhist culture 'in the form of the swastika.'

"Swastika is an auspicious symbol of Buddhists," he continues, "It is one of the most ancient and widely diffused symbols present in the pre-historic Asia. Buddhists regard swastika as a symbol of 'endless moving'. It also symbolises the foundation of the world and is considered good luck."

The tiles discovered at Budgam, Mukhdoomi says, bear Kharoshti numerals. "These most probably must have been stamped on by craftsmen to maintain the order of tiles in their overall layout plan."

The deputy director said the Kharoshti numerals and Swastika motif give the date of the settlement, which is between 2nd and 3rd century AD. The Kharoshti language was prevalent in Kashmir from the 2nd century BC to the 4th century AD.

"We will return to the site soon for further studies. The exhumed material is currently being studied and we hope that the trial excavation at the site would expose major settlement and rich archaeological material," says Mukhdoomi.

He said the discovery has proved that terracotta tiles had been an established industry in Kashmir in ancient times.

"We have mounted a drive to identify the Buddhist sites in Kashmir whose culture is of considerable importance," adds Mukhdoomi.

He said that earlier in 1980 an ancient Buddhist site was discovered at Hoinar, in the famous summer resort of Pahalgam in South Kashmir.

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