J&K Launches First-Ever Convergent Archaeological Mission to Revive Kashmir’s Lost Buddhist Heritage
SYED BASHARAT
BARAMULLA, July 7: In a historic and first-of-its-kind initiative, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has commenced a full-scale archaeological excavation at the ancient Buddhist site of Zehanpora in Baramulla district, signaling a transformative moment in the region’s heritage conservation.
This pioneering project is the first-ever excavation undertaken independently by the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums (DAAM), J&K, and is being conducted in convergence with the Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS), University of Kashmir, with official permission and clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under Rule 25 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959.
The multi-institutional project, funded under the Capex Budget of the J&K UT Government, is being supervised by Mr. Kuldeep Krishan Sidha (JKAS), Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, who has steered this breakthrough initiative that not only marks a first in field archaeology for the department but also exemplifies a new model of collaborative research and cultural preservation.
The on-ground excavation is being directed by Dr. Mohammad Ajmal Shah, Assistant Professor of Archaeology at the University of Kashmir, making it a rare case of academic leadership and state partnership in archaeological fieldwork.
“This is not merely an excavation—it is the beginning of a cultural awakening,” said Mr. Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, expressing the significance of the project. “It is for the first time that our department has ventured into full-fledged field excavation.
The Zehanpora project represents a shift from passive conservation to active archaeological exploration. Under my supervision, this excavation will set new benchmarks in heritage research and public engagement.”
Located on the ancient cultural corridor of Baramulla in northwestern Kashmir, Zehanpora is strategically placed along the Jhelum River, at the interface of the inner valley plains and the outer Himalayan foothills. This position made it a critical node in historical trade and cultural exchange networks connecting Kashmir to Central Asia and the broader Indian subcontinent.
The site lies in proximity to historically significant towns like Kanispur (ancient Kanishkapura) and Ushkur (Huvishkapura), which are believed to have been founded by Kushan emperors Kanishka and Huvishka. According to Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, the towns of Kanispur, Ushkur, and Zehanpora formed a triad of political, religious, and cultural activity during the Kushan period (1st–3rd century CE).
The excavation is expected to unearth substantial material evidence of Kashmir’s early Buddhist past, including stupas, terracotta tiles, architectural fragments, and possibly remnants of a once-thriving monastic complex. “Such a dense concentration of Buddhist features is rare for Kashmir and underscores Zehanpora’s role as a major religious centre,” said Dr. Ajmal Shah, who is leading the technical execution at the site. “The findings could bridge existing gaps in the understanding of Gandharan and Kashmiri artistic and religious interplay.”
The archaeological efforts also aim to reconstruct patterns of migration, trade, and spiritual interaction along ancient routes, especially those linking Kashmir with Central Asia during the pre-Kushan, Kushan, and post-Kushan periods.
The strategic location of Zehanpora provides a window into trans-Himalayan cultural flows, making it significant not only for religious archaeology but also for economic and civilizational studies.
Adding further intrigue to the site’s potential is its possible association with the 7th-century Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, who entered Kashmir through Baramulla and documented numerous stupas and monasteries in the region. Experts believe that material or epigraphic evidence of Xuanzang’s journey could emerge from the site.
Mr. Sidha emphasized the project’s broader vision: “This is the first excavation project carried out through true institutional convergence—our department, academia, and national authorities are working hand-in-hand. It sends a strong message about our intent to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a center for rigorous heritage exploration.”
The project is structured in three phases spanning three years (2025–2028) and is supported by a clear roadmap, long-term planning, and committed government backing. It has already earned acclaim from historians, scholars, and cultural commentators, who see it as a timely revival of Kashmir’s underexplored archaeological narrative.
Above all Zehanpora excavations mark a watershed moment in Kashmir’s archaeological journey. This unique convergence project—the first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir’s history—reaffirms the UT Government’s commitment to cultural revival through scientific inquiry and public scholarship. It not only promises to reshape the story of Buddhist Kashmir, but also paves the way for similar heritage explorations across the region.
