Muhammad Usman Mardanvi
(Expert on Gandhara art & civilization)

Article Date : 2008-12-27

Gandhara (The land of Fragrance) is situated on the north western frontier of Pakistan was the sacred land of Buddhism, during passed thousands of years ago many Buddhist kings built Buddhist settlements, stupas, monasteries and other buildings throughout Gandhara. During courses of surveys explorations and excavations many sites are discovered dated to different periods.
Muhammad Usman Mardan an expert on Gandhara art & architecture said that Mardan was the heart of Gandhara civilization. During excavations at different places in Mardan many ancient sites are unearthed. He further said that there are some more sites which are not on the archeological map of Gandhara.

He said that the new Buddhist site is situated 45 km North East of Barmawal town of Mardan district bordering Buner Swat and Malakand Agency. This area is known as Dare Kass, These ancient Buddhist buildings are built on hilly ridges and spurs. He said that the settlements were built on different spurs of hills. There are eight caves of different sizes and length & three ancient natural springs of Buddhist period which are still well preserved.

These ruins are spread on the Baghoo, Tabai, Sarai Dhand, Bagharai Tangai, Mezaru Chenna, Shatai Gumbat, Adel Banda, Kohai Tangai, Sarot Tangai, Liwaano Kandao,
After the analyzing the finds on the initial stage he said the below the hills on the plains there were was settlements of Buddhist people, while on the top of hill spurs there was stupas , shrines, monastery and monks chambers.
In short it was a complete Buddhist complex. There are evidences of dried lavas in these hills. This site is very rich, we request the govt to protect and excavate this site to preserve our heritage.