PresentationProf. Abdur Rahmans Contribution to the Archaeology of Swat: A case Study of the Buddhist Site of Shnaisha

Statement Problem

The main problem of this research work will be to find out Dr. A.Rs approach to archaeology with a special focus on his report of the excavation report of Shnaisha. Dr. A.R os considered as a senior Pakistani archaeologist adhering to the ethics of knowledge and research. He holds a specific approach to the history of Gandhara and is considered as authority on the Turk Shahi and Hindu Shahi periods of the area. There remains a gape in the study of his scholarshipas till now no study has been done about his work.

A debate was raised between A.R and Maurizio Taddei on the preliminary report shnaisha written by A.R. the remarks of Taddei published in journal ofEast and West Vol. 48. No1/2 (June 1998) gave rise to numerous questions regarding the works and innitiatives of Dr. A.R.

Hypothesis:

Dr A.Rs report of the Excavation of Shnaisha needs an analytical study as it created a lot of debate immediately after its publication.

Scope of the Study:The main significance of this research work will be to throw light on A.Rs contribution to the archaeology of Swat. A revieq of his report on Shnaisha would create answers to the critique raised against Dr. A.Rs report of the Shnaisha. This research work will be helpful in understanding the literaly work of Dr. A.R for future generationsLiterature Review

Dr. A.Rs preliminary report published in journal of Ancient Pakistan Vol. VIII, 1993

Some remarks on preliminary report of excavation of shnaisha by Maurizio Taddei ( East and West. Vol. 48. No (June 1998) Buddhist shrines in Swat. Dr M. Ashraf Khan, curator Archaeologicalmuseum Saidu Sharif Swat (Saidu Sharif 1993) Some Remarks on Taddeis Review of Shnaisha (Ancient Pakistan Vol. XIV, 2001)

Preliminary report on the archaeological excavations of Buddhist sites in Swat N.W.F.P 1989-90 (by Mian Said Qamar & Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Khan- Journal of Central Asia, Vol. XIV, NO. 2, December, 1991)

Methodology:

Descriptive method and Analytical method will be used throughout the research process.

Tentative Chapterization:

Chapter.1- Swat: location, Geography, history

Chapter.2- Report Review

Chapter.3- Analysis

Prof Abdur Rahamnas Biographical Sketch: A renowned archaeologist born in Sarghoda on 15th November 1934.

Got his masters degree in archaeology from university of Peshawar in 1964, and was appointed as lecturer in same university.

Received his Ph. D from the Australian National University at Canberra in 1976 He was retired as a chairman of department of archaeology from university of Peshawar in 1994.

He supervised number of M.phil and Ph. D scholars at universities of panjab and Peshawar.

He also remained as an advisor on culture to government of of KP from 1996 to 2000.

He was appointed as professor of archaeology at university of the Punjab.

His Works:

He has published large number of field reports and research articles in national and international journals.

He edited papers and proceedings of international symposium on Islamic art and architecture, calliography and archaology, held in march 16 1981 in Vols. I and III, Peshawar.

He remained editor of

i) Ancient Pakistan (reseach bulliten of department of archaeology, university of Peshawar) Vols. VII and VIIIii) Research journal of department of Fine Arts, Vol. I

iii) A comprehensive history of Pakistan, Vol. I (in print)

He authored and published book

i) The last two dynasties of Sahis, Islamabad, 1979.

ii) Islamic Archetecture of Pakistan- An interoduction, Peshawar 1981.

iii) A comprehensive history of Pakistan, Vol. I, part 1, 2007.

iv) A comprehensive history of Pakistan, Vol. I part 2, 2008

Archaeological history of Swat: Swat valley situated in northwestern part of Pakistan

It is the mountanoius region with anciend name: the Buddhist land of Uddiyana ( garden) liesi) In north of high mountainous range of Himalaya

ii) On west is region of Dir

iii) On the south is mountainous ridge and Malakand pass

iv) On east is the Kohistan area bordering the mighty Indus reiver

Swat is deved in to two parts: Bar (upper) and Kuz (lower) Swat. (Ashraf 2008-8,9)

First archaeological survey in swat was carried out in 1926 by Sir. Aural Stien

Barger and Wright (1941) carried their survey and excavated various archaeological sites ( particularly Barikot site) in 1941

A detailed survey was conducted by Italian Archaeological mission headed by G. Tucci, President ISMEO, Rome and D. Faccenna (1964) in collaboration with Department of Archaeology and Museum, Government of Pakistan.

Department of Archaeology, University of Peshawar under guidance of Prof. A.H Dani (Dani 1988) carried out exploration and excavation in Dir valley.

Besides the Italian archaeological mission and University of Peshawar, the department of archaeology and museum, government of Paksitan continued its work and discovered many Buddhist sites in the valley.

Shanisha: Geography and Nature of the site

The Buddhist site is situated about 5 km southwest of saidu sharif on Mingora Marghazar Road. Tharkana hills on its west and south.

A deep ravin on its north, created by erosion of hill torrents.

A spring about 122 m away from the main stupa is situated to the west

It is one of the largets Buddhist site in swat valley comprising of sacred area and monastery

Detail of the excavation report:

the site was first excavated by by Mr. Nazir khan custodian of Swat museum in 1989.

The work continued for short period of time

In 2nd season aregular campaign was undertaken in june 1990, by department of archaeology, university of Peshawar under the field direction of Prof. Abdyr Rahman, in collaboration withdepartment of Archaeology and Museum, Government of Pakistan

The excavation continued until octuber 1990

Large number of antiquities, sculptures and somme special sculptures were borught to light.

Numenclature of the site:

Shnaisha is composite Pashto wprd comprising two parts

i) Shnai si the name of trees which bear sweet fruits and grow very tall, like tree of Chinar.

ii) The word sha is a siffix in place names such as Lwarasha (i.i spot or place)

Thus shnaisha means place of shnai treeDetail of the excavation report:

Report is published in journal of Ancient Pakistan (research bulliten of /depaetement of Archaeology, university of Peshawar) in 1990, Vol. VIII

Report contains

i) Previous works done on the siteii) Location of the site

iii) Archaeological remains in the vicinity

iv) The excavation strategy

v) Stratigraphy (study of layers and lying)

vi) Structural remains, which are Main stupa

The monastery wall and the flight of steps (wall hight 5.50 m and diaper messonry)

The eastern platefrom (not fully excavated yet)

Votive stupas (three in number)

The tank

Two cells

The foundation wall

The sculptures

As many as 379 sculptures comprising panel reliefs, large size independent reliefs, capitals and brackets.

A descriptive list of sculptures

i) Defferent reliefs depicting Buddha seated and standing in different Muddras

ii) Reliefs depicting vajrapani, lotus flower and Buddhist mythology

Coins

i) Not very impressive number of coins found

ii) Total twenty coins

iii) In these 19 are of copper and one is of silver

iv) These cons are of

Early kushan period Kushano- sasanian period

Late Kushan period

Hindu shahi period

Chronolgy of the site

Description of antiquities found by NAzir Khan in 1989

Map of the location Plan of excavation

Images of reliefs

Maurizio Taddei disagreement: A debate

Maurizio taddai raised following critiques on the preliminary report of Shnaisha by Dr. A.R

i) Nomenclature

ii) The second session of excavation was joint venture by department of Archaeology, government of Pakistan and university of Peshawar. He called this two headed inniciative accounts for the unusual fact that two preliminary reports on same excavation campaign were published and were almost same. (qamar, Ashraf 1991; Abdur Rahman 1993)iii) Abdur Rahman also presented some remarks on Taddeis review on shnaisha report in Anicient Pakistan. Vol. XIV, 2001.Sources: