Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has accelerated the conservation and excavation work on 2000-year old, ancient Buddhist monastic site at Takht Bhai. Officials say that the department has so far completed 20-25 percent excavation work on Zone-B of the Takht Bhai Archaeological site, which is situated at an altitude of 500 meters, not only offers visitors a glimpse into the ancient times but also serves as a popular picnic and tourist spot.
Research Officer of KP Archeology Directorate Nawazuddin, while briefing the media persons during a training session, arranged by directorate in collaboration of Humanitarian Assistance and Facilitating Organisation (HAFO) at the Takht Bhai on Friday said that the Buddhists site was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 1980.
He informed that the project commenced on July 1, 2017, and will conclude by the end of this year, which has different components such as conservation, archaeological work, cleaning and awareness. He explained that the Zone A was a 2,000-year old Buddhist monastery while Zone B was their residential area. He added that the coins discovered from the area were from the period of Parthian king Gondophares in the 1st century AD.
People from different walks of life, including historians, archaeologists and tourists, arrive here while Buddhists from across the world visit it as part of their religious beliefs. The visitors have to ascend about 300 steps on a hill to reach the archaeological "wonder."
The official said that Buddhist civilization had spread to other parts of the world from Gandhara state. He added the Takht Bhai site is an ancient land and is very important for research purposes. He said that the conservation work aims at to promote a soft image of Pakistan in the rest of the world, adding that people from our country are known as people of Gandhara in the modern world. He said the Buddhist civilization was destroyed by Hindus in the 7th century.
Nawazuddin told the participants that the ancient site of Gandhara civilization was discovered in 1836 by a French army officer named General Cort. Excavation work on the site started in 1872 during the British rule in the subcontinent. "Each visitor is charged Rs 20 for an entry ticket. For photographs at the site, a visitor can be charged Rs 300, while bridal photography and commercial videography can cost up to Rs 30,000 each," he said.
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