Survey and Documentation of Archaeological Sites and Monuments in District Mianwali

Abstract

District Mianwali is an archaeological rich district of Province Punjab, Pakistan. It has prodigious historical significance with various historic sites. This area is located adjacent to salt range and agriculture region of Punjab Province, having the unique hills of Kalabagh and Chashma Barrage. District Mianwali has a large number of archaeological sites and monuments with great potential that’s why this study confined to the archaeological exploration in District Mianwali and the surrounding areas with emphasis on documentation of the archaeological site. Unfortunately, this is an unexpected area. Many writers and historians have done the written work on it but nobody pay attention on the archaeological explorations. But some sites related to Buddhist period can be easily identified there. Current research is carried out to fill this gap of study. The conducted survey of District proffered five temples, two samadhis, four mounds, one mosque, one baoli, three ancient Hindu bazaar, two havelis, one colonial period Railway Station, one British time period bridge, one rest house and five ancient graveyards. Chapter one contains the introduction of the research. Chapter two describes the geography and physical boundaries of the District Mianwali. Chapter no. three deals with the previous archaeological researches which have been done by some scholars. Chapter four discusses the present documented sites and monuments which were unexplored. Primary data is collected related to the sites. Chapter five deals with the comparative and analytical study of all the reported sites, along this some recommendations and suggestions are given to the preservation and conservation of the archaeological sites and monuments of District Mianwali. Even today these monuments are having beautiful architectural elements but they all are deteriorating day by day while each site and monument has its own unique formulation. The best option to honor the history is to conserve and sustain the ancient buildings and the archaeological sites.