A major early-historic Buddhist complex has been identified at Zehanpora in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. This site is situated in the culturally significant belt of north Kashmir, a region long known for early urban settlements and sustained religious activity. Its geographical setting highlights Kashmir’s historical role as a cultural corridor linking the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia.
Archaeological evidence dates the Zehanpora site to the Kushan period, roughly between the 1st and 3rd century CE. This era marked the widespread expansion of Buddhism across north-western India, Central Asia, and the Himalayan region. The Kushan rulers extended strong imperial patronage to Buddhist institutions, facilitating the growth of monasteries, learning centres, and trade-linked religious networks.
Excavations at Zehanpora have brought to light substantial structural and cultural remains, indicating long-term institutional activity. Key findings include:
These remains point to a well-planned and thriving Buddhist monastic centre rather than a small or isolated rural shrine.
The discovery emerged through a combination of archival research and modern technological tools. An old and indistinct photograph preserved in a museum archive in Paris first drew scholarly attention to the area. Subsequent drone-based aerial surveys and land-mapping exercises confirmed that the visible mounds at the site were man-made and part of an extensive architectural complex.
Zehanpora is located close to Kanispur and Ushkur, settlements historically associated with Kushan rulers. This spatial clustering reinforces the view that the site was integrated into the broader Gandhara Buddhist cultural zone. Such linkages underline Kashmir’s participation in trans-regional religious and cultural exchanges during the early historic period.
The excavation is being jointly conducted by the Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, and the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, with formal approval from the Archaeological Survey of India. The discovery gained national attention after being mentioned in Mann Ki Baat, drawing focus to Kashmir’s relatively lesser-known Buddhist heritage.
Q1. Why is the Zehanpora discovery important for Indian history?
Answer: It provides firm archaeological evidence of organized Buddhist institutions in Kashmir during the early historic period, enriching India’s religious and cultural narrative.
Q2. How old is the site?
Answer: The remains are nearly 2,000 years old and belong to the Kushan era.
Q3. What kind of Buddhist site was Zehanpora?
Answer: The layout and material remains suggest a major monastic complex serving ritual, residential, and teaching functions.
Q4. How does this site change our understanding of Kashmir’s past?
Answer: It demonstrates that Kashmir was not peripheral but an integral part of trans-regional Buddhist networks connecting India with Central Asia.
Q5. What is its relevance for civil services preparation?
Answer: The site is relevant for GS Paper I topics such as Buddhism, regional cultural centres, and archaeological sources of Indian history. Knowledge of the past equips administrators with the perspective needed to govern the present with wisdom and restraint.
Question 1: What period does the Zehanpora site belong to?
A) Mauryan period
B) Kushan period
C) Gupta period
D) Post-Mauryan period
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What significant remains were found at Zehanpora?
A) Temples and palaces
B) Stupas and monastic structures
C) Fortifications
D) Residential complexes
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Which rulers are associated with the Zehanpora site?
A) Mauryan rulers
B) Gupta rulers
C) Kushan rulers
D) Mughal rulers
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: How was the Zehanpora site discovered?
A) Random excavation
B) Archival research and drone surveys
C) Local legends
D) Satellite imagery
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What does the discovery of Zehanpora highlight about Kashmir's role in history?
A) Its isolation
B) Its integral role in cultural exchanges
C) Its military significance
D) Its agricultural contributions
Correct Answer: B
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