The world-famous Gandhara Civilization is represented by many monuments, stupas and monasteries around Taxila. Details about sites such as the Taxila Museum, Dharmarajika, Mohra Moradu, Pipplan, Jaulian, Jinnan Wali Dheri, Jandial Temple, and Giri Fort can be found in my earlier posts on this blog. Therefore, I shall not repeat the background of the Gandhara Civilization, its historical significance, or its architectural beauty here.
All the above-mentioned places are either in or around Taxila, or along the road to Khanpur Dam, and are thus easily accessible. However, one site, the Bhamal Stupa, the subject of this post, is somewhat more difficult to reach. Located on the northern side of Khanpur Lake, it stands on a small hill by the banks of the River Haro at 33°49'58.40"N, 72°58'34.71"E. The approach is challenging, as the last five kilometers consist of an unpaved, stony track with many twists and bends.
Stupa at Bhamala. (01.10.2022.)
It was the first of October 2022, a very pleasant day. The rainy season had just ended and the weather was simply excellent, with no dust and haze and a cool breeze blowing. The scene all along the way was breathtaking. The road winds along the Haro River at the edge of hills covered with green foliage. The clean blue water of Haro flowing through the lush green hills was creating a scene that one cannot forget.

BHAMALA
Bhamala is one
of the most important Buddhist Archaeological Site in this region. This site
was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1980 along with other monuments in Taxila
Valley. Sir John Marshall excavated this cruciform type of Stupa in 1930-31.
Scientific Archaeological excavations at Bhamala were resumed after almost 80 years
in 2012-13 by the Department of Archaeology, Hazara University Mansehra under
the supervision of Dr Abdul Samad (Assistant Professor at that time) in collaboration
with the University of Wisconsin (Madison) USA.
Keeping in
view the archaeological potential of the site, The Directorate of Archaeology
and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carried out further field
excavations and investigations at Bhamala from 2014 to 2016 under the
supervision of Dr Abdul Samad (Director, Directorate of Archaeology and
Museums, Govt. of KP).
The
excavations have brought to light a large number of archaeological artifacts (terracotta
and stucco sculptures, coins, iron, copper objects) as well as structural
remains including the second main Stupa surrounded by a subsidiary Stupa and
chapels adorned with stucco sculptures.
The most
remarkable discovery made during these excavations was a 14-meter-long re(c)lining
Buddha made of dressed blocks of Kanjur stone.
This colossal
Buddha image is placed on a stone platform inside a long chamber. Like other
monumental images of reclining Buddha reported from Afghanistan and Tajikistan,
the Bhamala Buddha is also facing towards the main Stupa. A large number of terracotta
images are reported from inside the Parinirvana chamber showing that worshippers
and mourners.
Radiocarbon
date of the charred wood and charcoals taken from inside the terracotta sculpture
placed around the monumental Parinirvana has confirmed that the Parinirvana was
made during the 3rd century AD. Thus, the monumental Buddha image
from Bhamala is the earliest representation of Parinirvana Buddha predating all
the known colossal Parinirvana images reported from the surrounding regions including Ajanta (India) Tappa Sardar
and Bamiyan (Afghanistan) Adzihna Tepe (Tajikistan), Daunghaung (China) and
Chui Valley (Kirghizstan). It is also the sole example of Parinirvana Buddha in
Kanjur stone.
The Archaeological Site at Bhamala is protected under the provision of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Antiquities Act 2016 and as per section 18 Sub-Section (2) of the said act
whoever, destroy, break, damage, alter, imitate, deface or mutilate or scribble,
write or engage any inscription or sign on, any antiquity or take manure from
any protected antiquity shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term, which may extend to five years,
or with fine up to rupees two million, or with both.
بھمالا
بھمالا اس خطے کا سب سے اہم آثار
قدیمہ ہے، اس سائٹ کو 1980 میں ٹیکسلا کی دوسری سائٹوں کی طرح بین الاقوامی
ہیرٹیج سائٹ کا درجہ دیا گیا۔ 1930-31 میں سر جان مارشل نے اس سائٹ کی کھدائی میں ایک صلیب
نما سٹوپا دریافت کیا، 80 سال بعد اس سائٹ پر ہزارہ یونیورسٹی نے یونیورسٹی آف وسنکانسن،
میڈی سن (یو ایس اے) کے تعاون سے ماہر آثار قدیمہ اس وقت کے اسسٹنٹ پروفیسر ڈاکٹر
عبدالصمد کی زیر نگرانی اس سائٹ پر جدید طریقے سے دوبارہ کھدائی شروع کی، اس سائٹ
کی اہمیت کے باعث محکمہ آثار قدیمہ اور عجائبات، حکومت خیبر پختونخوا نے 2014 سے
2016 تک محکمہ ہذا کے ڈائریکٹر ڈاکٹر عبدالصمد کے زیر نگرانی ایک بار پھر سے تحقیق
اور کھدائی کا سلسلہ شروع کیا، اس کھدائی کی روشنی میں بڑی تعداد میں قدیمی
نوادرات، مٹی اور چونے کے مجسمے، قیمتی سکے، لوہے اور تانبے سے بنی اشیاء دریافت
ہوئیں۔ اس کے ساتھ ساتھ قدیم دیواروں کے باقیات جن میں دوسرا مرکزی سٹوپا شامل ہے جس
کے چاروں طرف ذیلی اسٹوپا بھی برآمد ہوا، ان کھدائیوں کے دوران سب سے قابل ذکر
دریافت کنجور پتھر سے بنا 14 فٹ لمبا سٹوپا ہے۔ اس شاندار بدھا کی شبیہ ایک لمبے
چیمبر کے اندر پتھر کے اندر ایک پلیٹ فارم پر رکھا گیا۔ افغانستان اور تاجکستان سے
ملنے والے بدھا کے ساتھ ملنے والی دوسری یادگار مجسموں کی طرح، بھامالا بدھا کا بھی مرکزی اسٹوپا کی طرف رخ ہے۔ پرینیروانا چیمبر کے اندر سے
بڑی تعداد میں مٹی کےمجمسے بنائے گئے ہیں۔ جن میں راہب اور ان کے پیروکار بنائےگئے
ہیں۔ یادگار پریزوان شبیہہ کے آس پاس رکھے گئے مٹی کے مجسمہ کے اندرسے لی گئی
چارڑی ہوئی لکڑی اور چارکول کی ریڈیو کاربن ڈیٹنگ نے اس بات کی تصدیق کی ہے کہ پرینیر
وانا تیسری صدی کے دوران بنایا گیا تھا۔ اس طرح بھمالا کی یادگار پرینیروانا بدھا
کی ابتدائی نمائندگی ہے۔ جس کی ارد گرد کے
علاقوں سے آجنتا (ہندوستان) ٹپا سرداراور بامیان (افغانستان)، اڈیز ہناٹٰیپے (تاجکستان)،
ڈونگہونگ (چین) اور وادی چوئی (کرغیزستان) اور ارد گرد علاقوں سے موصولہ یہ کنجور
پتھر میں پرینیر وانا بدھا کی واحد مثال ہے۔ بھمالہ کے آثار قدیمہ کا تحفظ خیبر
پختونخوا نوادرات ایکٹ 2016 کے تحت محفوظ ہےاور مذکورہ ایکٹ کے سیکشن 18 سب سیکشن
(2) کے مطابق جو بھی تباہ، توڑ، نقصان، بدلاؤ، زخمی، خرابی یا مسخ شدہ یا لکھائی
یا دستخط کرنا، کوئی نوادرات یا کسی محفوظ شدہ نوادرات سے کھاد لینے پر ایک مدت کے
لیئے سخت قید کی سزا ہوسکتی ہے، جس کی مدت پانچ سال تک ہوسکتی ہے، یا بیس لاکھ
روپے تک جرمانہ ہوسکتا ہے، یو دونوں ہوسکتے ہیں۔

After half an hour, we finally completed the arduous journey and reached the stupa. The stupa and the adjoining monastery are situated on a flat hill, covering a little over two acres. The site was protected by a fence, and the entrance was closed. We became a little anxious but soon found a guard on duty. Unfortunately, he had no good news for us. He informed us that the site was undergoing repair and restoration work and was closed to visitors. However, we were not ready to give up so easily, especially after coming this far on such a torturous road. After our repeated requests, the guard agreed to call his superior, and luckily, we were granted permission to enter.
The mountains around Bhamala. (01.10.2023.)
Monastery in the east of the main Stupa. (01.10.2023.)
It is a typical Buddhist site with one huge stupa, surrounded by the figures of Buddha. And on the east of the stupa is located a monastery for the living and learning of monks. Very similar to the other sites around Taxila. It is a very beautiful place, with lush green hills around and a river flowing nearby. I felt that the monks could not have chosen a better place to worship God. Indeed a place where one feels close to his Creator.
The interior of the Stupa. (01.10.2023.)
The monastery at Bhamala. (01.10.2023.)
Iftikhar Ahmad Bhatti. (01.10.2023.)
Tariq Amir. (01.10.2023.)
The Haro River. (01.10.2023.)
A statue of Buddha. (01.10.2023.)
On the way to Bhamala. (01.10.2023.)
The Khanpur Dam Lake. (01.10.2023.)
The road to this historical site is not good, but I assure you that visiting this place is worth all the trouble it takes to get there. The beauty of this area will captivate you. There is an additional attraction, as on the way to Bhamala, you can visit and take a break on the Khanpur Dam. A beautiful picnic spot that offers a lot of activities to visitors, including boating, skiing, and gliding. Many resorts are located around the lake to facilitate visitors.
Tariq Amir
August 8, 2023.
Islamabad
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