Barikot Ghundai

Why in news?

• An ancient Hindu Temple has been discovered at Barikot Ghunai in Pakistan.

About Barikot Ghundai:

• A Hindu temple, believed to have been constructed 1,300 years ago, has been discovered by Pakistani and Italian archaeological experts at a mountain in northwest Pakistan’s Swat district.
• The discovery was made during an excavation at Barikot Ghundai.
• The Temple discovered seems to be dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• It was built by the Hindus 1,300 years ago during the Hindu Shahi period.
• The Hindu Shahis or Kabul Shahis (850-1026 CE) was a Hindu dynasty that ruled the Kabul Valley (eastern Afghanistan), Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan), and present-day northwestern India.
• During their excavation, the archaeologists also found traces of cantonment and watchtowers near the temple site.
• The experts also found a water tank near the temple site which they believe was used by the Hindus for bathing before worship.
• This was the first temple of the Gandhara civilisation discovered in Swat district.

Gandhara civilisation

• The Gandhara Civilization existed in what is now Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE to the beginning of the 2nd millennium CE.
• Multiple major powers ruled over this area during that time, most of whom adopted and patronised the Indo Greek artistic tradition which had developed in the region following Alexander’s invasions into India.
• Prominent dynasties who ruled the area include Mauryas, Scythians, Indo-greeks, Kushanas, Huns and Hindu Shahis.
• The area was home to cities like Takshasila (Taxila), Purushapura (Peshawar) and Pushkalavati (Mardan).
• There was a proliferation of stupas and other associated religious establishments such as monasteries during this period in this region.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following Buddhist archaeological sites and their locations:
1.Thotlakonda : Andhra Pradesh
2.Lalitagiri : Odisha
3.Kanaganahalli: Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)1 and 3 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1,2,3 only

Answer to prelims question