Ancient Buddhist Sites in Azad Kashmir: Echoes of a Forgotten Past

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), often romanticized for its lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, and serene rivers, holds within its folds a lesser-known but profoundly rich historical and cultural heritage. Among these are the ancient Buddhist sites that silently testify to a time when Buddhism flourished across the region. These archaeological remnants—scattered across valleys like Bagh, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli—are remnants of a golden era when the region served as a crucible for Buddhist thought, art, and architecture.

The Historical Context: Buddhism in the Region

The spread of Buddhism into the region that is now Azad Kashmir can be traced back to the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. After embracing Buddhism following the Kalinga War, Ashoka dispatched missionaries across the Indian subcontinent, including the northern territories bordering Central Asia. Over centuries, these regions—particularly the areas near the ancient Gandhara civilization—became strongholds of Buddhist learning and cultural dissemination.

Gandhara, which includes parts of modern-day northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, was a vibrant center of Greco-Buddhist art, characterized by a unique fusion of Hellenistic and Buddhist styles. Azad Kashmir, lying adjacent to the Gandhara region, naturally came under its influence. The area served as a transit route for pilgrims and scholars traveling between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, fostering a thriving intellectual and spiritual climate.

Sharda: The Crown Jewel of Buddhist and Hindu Heritage

One of the most prominent ancient sites in Azad Kashmir is Sharda Peeth, located in the Neelum Valley near the Line of Control (LoC). While Sharda is more commonly associated with Hinduism and the revered goddess Saraswati (Sharada), its foundations and architectural elements bear testimony to a more diverse religious heritage.

Archaeologists believe that Sharda was once a bustling center of Buddhist scholarship before it evolved into a Hindu seat of learning. The ruins, though heavily weathered, reveal Buddhist-style stonework and layout patterns similar to monastic institutions found in Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi. This overlap of traditions is not surprising, given the syncretic nature of religious evolution in the subcontinent.

Sharda Peeth once attracted scholars from Tibet, China, and Central Asia. According to historical texts, it was a renowned center for learning Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy. Although much of the Buddhist structure has been overtaken by Hindu religious elements over the centuries, the site remains a key location for understanding the Buddhist roots of Azad Kashmir.

Bagh and Sudhnoti: Hidden Treasures of Buddhist Art

In the less-explored regions of Bagh and Sudhnoti, archaeological surveys have revealed the remains of stupas, monasteries, and sculptures linked to the Gandhara period. In Bagh district, stone-carved sculptures of Buddha and Bodhisattvas have been found in rock shelters and near riverbanks, indicating the presence of Buddhist monastic settlements.

Sudhnoti, on the other hand, has yielded terracotta artifacts and stupa bases that date back to between the 2nd and 6th centuries CE. These findings suggest that the region was an active site of Buddhist worship and religious instruction. Despite being less preserved and largely undocumented in mainstream history, these remnants provide compelling evidence of the region’s Buddhist past.

The intricate carvings and iconography found in these areas often mirror styles from Taxila and Swat, both major centers of Gandharan Buddhism. What sets these sites apart is their isolation and relatively untouched state, offering a more authentic glimpse into the past, albeit through ruins.

Muzaffarabad: The Gateway to the Ancient North

The capital of Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, also boasts archaeological sites linked to Buddhist antiquity. Historical texts and oral traditions speak of temples and stupas once standing along the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. Although urbanization and natural disasters have destroyed much of this ancient heritage, scattered relics and unearthed pottery fragments occasionally surface, prompting renewed interest in preserving the city’s historical identity.

In recent decades, initiatives by local archaeologists and historians have led to the identification of mound structures in and around the city believed to be ancient stupas. These efforts have been hampered, however, by a lack of funding, political instability, and limited public awareness of the cultural significance of these finds.

Kotli and Mirpur: Underexplored Vestiges

The districts of Kotli and Mirpur, situated in the southern part of AJK, are better known today for their economic ties to the overseas Kashmiri diaspora, especially in the UK. Yet these areas too hold echoes of a Buddhist past. Archaeological digs have uncovered coins, small votive stupas, and religious figurines consistent with Buddhist iconography.

Many of these findings remain in private collections or local museums, and comprehensive excavation projects have yet to be undertaken. Scholars believe that the terrain of southern AJK, with its hills and proximity to ancient trade routes, would have been conducive to the establishment of monastic communities and traveling pilgrim shelters.

Challenges to Preservation

The preservation of Buddhist heritage in Azad Kashmir faces several challenges. First and foremost is the lack of systematic archaeological efforts. Due to political sensitivities in the region and limited infrastructure for heritage conservation, many sites remain undocumented or are at risk of damage.

Secondly, religious and cultural shifts over centuries have led to a gradual erasure of Buddhist identity from the region’s collective memory. Many locals are unaware of the historical significance of the ruins near their villages. Without public engagement, there is little incentive for authorities to invest in preservation.

Moreover, natural calamities like earthquakes and landslides frequently afflict the mountainous terrain of AJK, further threatening fragile archaeological remains.

The Need for Renewed Focus

Despite the odds, the ancient Buddhist sites of Azad Kashmir present a unique opportunity for cultural revival, academic study, and even eco-tourism. By embracing its Buddhist heritage, Azad Kashmir can contribute to the global understanding of religious diffusion, Gandhara art, and the evolution of Buddhist thought.

Collaborations between local institutions and international archaeological bodies could yield significant results. There is also potential for educational initiatives that inform residents about the value of these historical treasures. Responsible tourism, coupled with community-based conservation, could provide both economic and cultural benefits.

Conclusion

Azad Kashmir’s landscape may be dominated today by the echoes of more recent histories and geopolitical narratives, but beneath its soil lies a quieter, older story—one of monks, scholars, artists, and pilgrims who shaped the intellectual and spiritual life of the region for centuries. The ancient Buddhist sites scattered across the valleys of Azad Kashmir are not just relics of a forgotten religion; they are enduring symbols of a time when this land was a beacon of peace, learning, and cultural exchange.

Unearthing and preserving this heritage is not only a tribute to the past but a pathway to a richer, more inclusive understanding of the region’s identity.