Zehanpora Stupas Kashmir  Ias Banenge

Why in News?

• Archaeological discovery of ancient Buddhist stupas at Zehanpora, Baramulla (J&K).
• Site mentioned by Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat.
• Excavations suggest structures dating back to the Kushan period (≈2,000+ years old).
• Reinforces Kashmir’s overlooked Buddhist heritage.

Relevance

GS I – Art & Culture / History

• Buddhism in India.
• Kushan period.
• Stupa architecture.

GS I – Indian Society

• Cultural pluralism.
• Historical continuity in Kashmir.

Basics: What are Stupas?

• Stupa:
  • Buddhist commemorative structure.
  • Houses relics of the Buddha or monks.
• Core elements:
  • Anda (hemispherical mound)
  • Harmika
  • Chhatra
• Functions:
  • Religious worship.
  • Symbol of Buddha’s enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.

Location & Site Details

• Zehanpora village, near Baramulla town, north Kashmir.
• Spread across 10+ acres.
• Landscape:
  • Plateau-like mound.
  • Reduced over centuries due to:
    • Floods.
    • Canal digging (1970s).
• Long mistaken as natural earth mounds.

Archaeological Findings

• Multiple earthen mounds forming a stupa complex.
• Evidence suggests:
  • Wooden superstructure over stone base.
  • Site used as winter halt for monks.
• Methods used:
  • Modern archaeological tools.
  • Drones and remote sensing.

Dating & Historical Context

• Estimated age: ~2,000 years.
• Period:
  • Kushan Empire (1st–3rd century CE).
• Kushans known for:
  • Patronage of Buddhism.
  • Trade along Silk Route.
  • Gandhara art tradition.

Buddhism in Kashmir: Historical Background

• Introduced during:
  • Mauryan period (Ashoka) — traditional belief.
• Major expansion under:
  • Kanishka (Kushan ruler).
• Kashmir’s role:
  • Scholarly centre of Buddhism.
  • Transmission point to Central Asia and China.
• Buddhist councils:
  • 4th Buddhist Council traditionally associated with Kashmir (per some sources).

Why Zehanpora is Significant ?

• Adds to known Buddhist sites:
  • Harwan
  • Kanispora
  • Ushkur
  • Hutmur
  • Semthan
• Confirms:
  • Dense Buddhist settlement in north Kashmir.
• Shows:
  • Kashmir as a monastic and trade hub, not peripheral region.

Global Link: France Connection

• Photograph of Zehanpora site found in French museum archives.
• Indicates:
  • Colonial-era documentation.
  • Early European scholarly interest.
• Reflects:
  • Global dispersal of Indian archaeological records.

Cultural & Civilisational Significance

• Challenges narrative of Kashmir as only:
  • Shaivite or Islamic heritage region.
• Highlights:
  • Pluralistic religious history.
  • Cultural continuity across centuries.
• Strengthens:
  • Buddhist civilisational map of India.

Governance & Heritage Implications

• Need for:
  • Site protection.
  • Scientific excavation.
  • Heritage tourism integration.
• Aligns with:
  • Cultural revival initiatives.
  • Soft power diplomacy via Buddhism.

Takeaway

• The Zehanpora stupa complex reaffirms Kashmir’s role as a major Buddhist centre during the Kushan period, highlighting the region’s deep civilisational pluralism and strategic position in ancient trans-Asian networks.