AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE BUDDHIST PERIOD COMPLEX OF JINNAN WALI DHERI, TAXILA VALLEY

Abstract

Taxila Valley is among the most popular Buddhist site of Gandhara and a significant urban Centre located on the routes that linked ancient north-western part of Pakistan with India, Afghanistan and Central Asia. (Neelis 2002: 253; Foucher 1942: 47). Keeping in view, the importance of the Taxila Valley in the greater Gandhara, the significance of the recently excavated Buddhist site of “Jinnan Wali Dheri” in Taxila Valley has increased manifolds. Jinnan Wali Dheri, also known as "The Mound of Demons" is a unique historical place, located about 10 kilometers from Taxila Museum on the left bank of Haro River. This distinctive archaeological site is a Buddhist monastery with a stupa that existed between 2nd and 5th century AD. The Buddhist site of Jinnan Wali Dheri was one of the neglected sites and was not mentioned by Marshall during his archeological investigations in Taxila valley. The site was excavated by Department of Archaeology and Museum Government of Pakistan; they have published the preliminary report of the excavation while there was also further need to excavate the remaining portion of the site. The detail study of the art and architecture of the site was the focus of the present research and with help of the cultural materials the chronology of the site was established. During the previous excavations from 2002 to 2008 resulted in some remarkable findings with reference to artifacts and remains of the built structures such as the main stupa, encircled by votive stupas and chapels, monastic cells, square water tank in the center but the most critical findings in recent excavations are the mural paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattva from the monastery area, which are now exhibited in Taxila Museum. Due to these remarkable excavations and conservation held on the site, the significance of this site has tempted the archaeological researchers from around the world for more exploration to find more on its history, past culture and study its artifacts. XI In 1980s in order to stop the illegal excavations and treasure hunting the site was finally declared as a conservation zone by the Federal Government Department of Archaeology and Museums and help to preserve this unique cultural heritage for the future. Therefore, this research also focuses on the missing parts of the monastery and gives an overview of the structural remains at Jinnan Wali Dheri with special reference to scientifically document/ analysis the artifacts reported from the past excavations and to determine the emergence and evaluation of stupa and monastery architecture in Taxila valley. The detailed, comprehensive and analytical research has been divided into six chapters. Chapter one broadly gives the background, introduction and significance of the research; the second chapter is regarding review of pertinent literature including secondary and primary literature review; the chapter three gives an overview of previous and recent researches at Jinnan Wali Dheri along with its findings, discussion and analysis; the fourth chapter encloses the description of stupas and monastery (architectural studies of the stupa and monastic complex of Jinnan Wali Dheri) and also discuss and gives analysis on the study; the fifth chapter is about Buddhist mural paintings recovered from the site in 2004. The last and sixth chapter provides critical discussion on the research conducted, its conclusion with evidence based arguments and recommendations to provide knowledge and information for the archaeological researchers and highlight its solutions. Besides, this research will help the researchers and other concerned in boosting the cultural and religious tourism in the country. The publication of research work will also promote the soft image of the country at national and international level which will lead to good and friendly cultural relations with the neighboring especially with Buddhist countries of South Asia in particular and other countries of the world in general.