Former BJP member of Rajya Sabha and National Monuments Authority Chairman, Tarun Vijay narrates an inspiring saga of heritage protection by armed forces in Kashmir
Many of Kashmir’s archaeological sites have fallen victim to the conflict and associated factors, as it slowed down the preservation work and added a prejudiced colour to look at them.
Kashmir has a large number of ancient temples and Buddhist stupas and chaityas, but sadly in the last seventy-four years of Independence, none has been recommended for enlisting as a Unesco World Heritage site.
The universities too have no archaeology department or art history.
There are a large number of listed and unlisted ( as centrally protected monuments with ASI) 6 to 8th century-old incredible archaeological sites, ignored and isolated, that need a healing touch now.
But one force, the Indian Army that is in Kashmir to defend borders is meticulously preserving the ancient heritage with the finesse and expertise, of a seasoned archaeologist.
The 15 Corps of the Army is India’s largest decorated force and its four thousand soldier warriors have fallen in the line of duty. It has another achievement of pride, in the area of protecting our ancient heritage. The famous Pandrethan Temple, 8th ce is in the Badami Bagh cantonment area, the headquarters of 15 Corps. The army could have locked it out and carried on with its primary assignment- but being a force with a heart and concern for local cultures, it took over the preservation work and has maintained the site with great expertise. One may call it a different ASI – ie Archaeological Security of India!!
Pandrethan site is a wonder of Kashmir, built in the 9th/10th CE, it is described as the best-preserved Shiva temple of Sarvatobhadra style located about five km from Srinagar, now inside the army cantonment. It is built in the middle of a water tank, with remarkable sculptures of various deities on the ceiling and walls. The two-tiered pyramidal roof is stunningly beautiful proving the mastery of the ancient Hindu artisans. It has four entrances with the usual pedimented trefoil designs. Situated on the foothills of a mountain, and on Jhelum River banks, it had massive Shiva lingam in its vicinity, with magnificent sculptures of Shiva Trimurti, Varah, Padmapani Avalikiteshwara and Shiva Lingas.
Some of the finds have been taken to be showcased at Shri Pratap Singh Museum (SPS) but the army has had their exact replicas made and kept here for the visitors.
The Pandrethan site near Shiva temple ( now popular as Pani Wala Mandir) was excavated by the British era ASI in 1913 yielding several Buddhist sculptures and rubbles of a Chaitya assignable to the 8th CE. These have been described in detail by several eminent archaeologists like Ram Chandra Kak, S.L. Shali and Debala Mitra.
Tarun Vijay took a minute round of the Pravareshwar archaeological site along with the Pandrethan temple and the site of other archaeological finds with Major General Anupam Bhagi and Colonel N.S. Dabhi, who is in charge officer for the upkeep of the site and temple. He had everything about these archaeological finds on his tips as if he had a full training with the ASI receiving warm appreciation and admiration from the Chairman Of the Authority.
Tarun Vijay said that he and the central and state ASI officers accompanying him – Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh and Fayaz Shah agreed that whatever the British found here is just the tip of the iceberg. Wherever they had any digging for any other purpose, they had found several artefacts and antiquities. It is a treasure house of ancient Kashmir’s history and art. It is necessary that more excavations should be taken up in this area to unearth the glorious past that Kashmir has. Both army and ASI will have to work on it.
Tarun Vijay has committed to having this raised with Minister of Culture Kishan Reddy in Delhi to ensure the real and most glorifying past of Kashmir is projected with proper focus. He said that Army protects the soul of Kashmir with deep devotion and expertise. We can have an Armed Forces Archaeological wing on lines of the ecological task force for army men post-retirement, Vijay suggested.
