Lost in time: Ancient sites buried under encroachments

Archaeology dept says DCs asked to help; Charsadda DC says no request received.

PESHAWAR/ CHARSADDA:

The obstruction of historical sites demarcated by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has brought excavation and research to a standstill.

The spatial distribution of sites with historical importance is such that over the years they were easily encroached. Land-grabbing, illegal markets and residential construction have all been rampant in areas which have extreme significance for ancient civilisations.

The directorate planned research on urban structures of the Gandhara civilisation. It identified sites in Balahisar and Sheikhan in Charsadda district, Bhamla in Taxila, Tanawal in Mansehra and one in Buner district. However, encroachment on these locations has hampered the progress significantly.

On course

Archaeology Director Abdul Samad said the initial survey of all historical sites has been completed and district administrations have been asked to deal with the encroachments.

“We have asked deputy commissioners to clear the areas so the study can be carried out properly,” he told The Express Tribune. The director added all district administrations have been asked to take action and stop the illegal occupation of archaeological sites. Samad said people have even put up ‘for sale’ signs on the encroachments and some places have even been dug up illegally.

“If we want to unearth the multifaceted nature of Gandhara and bring forth new evidence to establish valid grounds for further investigation, we have to do this project,” said the director.

Uninformed

Charsadda DC Fazal Rahman told The Express Tribune, “I have not received any letter by any authority from the archaeology department regarding any such research project.” It is the DCO’s responsibility to not only clear sites of historical importance but all government land of encroachments, he said.

“We have done so in the past and will facilitate whomsoever wants to pursue research in particular areas,” said the DC. “They should come and show us the places and we will provide complete assistance.”

Residents said historical sites in the district have been home to encroachment by both government and civilians.

“A government building has been constructed on Charsadda graveyard, the largest graveyard of South Asia,” Naveed Mohmand, a resident told The Express Tribune. Mohmand added people in other parts of the world rush to protect even relatively recent sites in South Asia like Mughal architecture but Pakistani authorities remain negligent. Charsadda has seen the worst of encroachments and illegal constructions even though it was one of the capitals of Gandhara, he said.

Historical significance

Charsadda, or Pushkalavati as it was known earlier, was the capital of the majestic Gandhara civilization. The areas of Balahisar and Sheikhan Dheri have been identified by the directorate to excavate urban centres of the ancient period.

It is believed Charsadda and Taxila were the earliest urban centres of the period.

In a joint venture with Cambridge University, the directorate did carry out an excavation at Balahisar in 2006.

Rafius Samad in his book The Grandeur of Gandhara wrote:

“Early in 6 BCE, Gandhara comprised of a large number of villages where extended family groups engaged in farming activities. Their focus on a diversified economy required the pooling of skills in a centralized location.

To meet the challenge and provide accommodation for a comprehensive administration and military organisation, they built the first two urban centres in the region, one at Bhir Mound near Taxila and the other in the vicinity of Charsadda, on the bank of Kabul River.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2014.