Tragic heritage loss: Watching history die

How Taliban defaced the Swat Buddha.

SWAT: Everyone in Shakorai remembers September 29, 2007 when the Taliban tried to erase the memory of a figure that had watched over them for generations.

“They [Taliban] came in the evening and took our mobile phones, then ordered us to remain in our homes and be silent because they intended to dynamite the seated Buddha,” said a resident of Jahanabad on condition of anonymity.

“That was their second attempt, because they had failed in their earlier attempt on August 12, 2007 to destroy the great statue at first. That time they drilled holes around the face and shoulder of the Buddha while hanging down with the help of ropes. The holes were filled up with dynamite. The blast destroyed the face. We could not sleep for nights as we were very sad for losing this historic asset. But we could do nothing except hate this act of the Taliban,” he added.

The 23 foot (7-metre) high 7th century rock carving of a seated Buddha at Shakorai near Jahanabad village is the second largest statue from the era of the Bamiyan Buddhas that were destroyed by these barbarians.

The Buddha is in a meditating posture called Padmasana, or the lotus-shaped seating position. It remained the centre of attention for Buddhists from around the world that flocked here. Sculpted in the era of Kanishka as a lasting monument to the memory of Buddha, it is considered to be one of the great artefacts of the Gandhara Civilization.

Fazal Mahmood Rokhan, a historian and writer, said, “The location of the great sculpture is of great importance. The rock in which the statue has been carved is opposite the Swat River. It looks over the whole river and particularly at sunset, the grandeur of the scene gives spiritual satisfaction to everyone.”

About its attraction for tourists, he said, “It was a busy spot for tourists, particularly for Buddhists. When they [tourists] came here, local children would happily go with them to the Buddha site and show their love and tenderness to their guests,” Rokhan added.

Prominent social activist Haji Rasool Khan from Mingora lamented the apathy of the archaeology department, calling it a great tragedy that the government gave no importance to a great treasure of ancient history. He said although Swat is home to some of the greatest cultural sites of the world, the government’s apathy and lack of initiative is making them fade away.

Talking of government’s inefficiency, Khan said the area was full of statues, stupas and other sculptures but due to the lack of interest from the archaeology department, thousands of statues have been lost to treasure hunters and extremists. Some were broken by people, some stolen, and others were destroyed by different vandals.

It was an unfortunate day when the great statue was disfigured but it is far more unfortunate that no steps have been taken yet to repair the historic sculpture by the archaeological department. “Craftsmen are readily available for the repair and preservation of these historical sites and stone inscriptions; the statue in Jahanabad and many others sites which are decaying fast can easily be preserved and renovated if the government took interest in it,” said Rokhan.

As the rest of the world is busy repairing and preserving its cultural and historical heritage for the future generation, hundreds of such sites are fading away in Swat. No concrete steps are being taken by the authorities concerned.

When contacted for comments on this sorry state of affairs and apathy of the department, they refused to comment, citing the denial of permission from the higher authorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2011.