Rock art, and carvings of Sakarkoi, Gilgit Baltistan

Abstract

The region of Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for its location, and centuries- old cultural heritage; hence its uniqueness and popularity. From ancient times this area receives cultural influences from all over the world especially from Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, and India. The old trade route, known as Silk Road connects china with Central Asia. This route was also used by merchants, pilgrims, invaders, travelers and artisans from wide geographical regions who left behind witness of their passage in the form of rock carvings and inscriptions. In Gilgit-Baltistan 50000 figural drawings and 5000 inscriptions, written in about ten different system of writing, have so far been found. This gallery of rock engravings is most focused in the narrow part of the valley between Shatial and the Raikot Bridge (Arif 2002: 8-10). Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the historically and culturally rich areas of the Indo- Pakistan subcontinent. Thousands of rock carvings and inscriptions found between Shatial and the Khunjerab Pass along the Karakorum Highway strongly suggest that some of them are as old as the Stone Age. About ninety percent rock art sites are located in District Diamer, majority of which are situated in and around the Chilas. Rock art sites in District Diamer are at Thor, Oshibat, Thak, Khanbary, Hodour, Chilas 1 to 6, Thalpan 1 to 3, Ziarat 1and 2, Shing, Gech, Ges and Dadam Das etc. Rock art sites can be divided into two categories: prehistoric and historic. The prehistoric petroglyphs are found in Thak, Khanbary, Dadam Das, Oshibat and Ziarat. Whereas the historic rock art sites are situated in Thor, Shatial, Hodour, Chilas, Thalpan, Shing and Gech. The petro glyphs of historic period mainly belong to Buddhism. This activity of Buddhist period in this area began around the 1st century CE. Main representations in the carving are Buddha images, Bodhisattvas and other Buddhist symbols.