Type: Archaeological Site - Buddhist
Province: Gilgit-Baltistan
District: Shigar
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 1st - 5th Century CE
Description: The archaeological site with the carvings and ruins of a Buddhist monastery and stupas is located on a barren plateau locally called Ghzwape Ri, south of the village Ghzwapa. The archaeological site was discovered in 80s, where on the bordering chain of the hillocks consisting of sediments having remains of stupas, together with the remains of walls, found in the depression between the slope and the hillocks, they indicate the presence of a former monastery. The site approached through a steep path ascending up to the barren plateau overlooking Shiger valley. Shiger was the former capital of one of the municipalities of Baltistan. During investigation and documentation of the petroglyphs and inscriptions beautiful stupa carvings, Kharoshti and Barahmi inscriptions were noticed. Prof. v. Hinuber by presenting almost complete deciphering of a lengthy inscription found on a boulder, mentioned that this inscription was made when Baltistan was part of the Palurian Kingdom i.e., a well administered Buddhist state, using Sanskrit as the official language. A lengthy inscription engraved on a boulder, tells of the interference of a local administrator, maybe he had offered a present to the monastery. During the survey more than 100 stones of different sizes with about 400 carvings and inscriptions, were documented, which preserved and depicting animals and human figures and inscriptions. The stupas are carved in traditional Tibetan style. The presences of many petroglyphs testify the role of the place played in the past. Rock carvings showing hunters and fighting scenes were observed near the ruined monastery at Shiger. Reliefs of Buddhist scenes, executed with great care, were made along the Tibetan inscriptions. Thus, there was direct influence from the main centers of the Buddhist revival in Tibet (Jettmar 1989b). At Lumsa Shiger, three Buddhas are carved on a huge boulder overlooking the Shiger valley. The flat relief carved with traditional Tibetan features discovered by H. Hauptmann on the old track from Skardu to Shiger (Jettmar 1990;811,Fig.10), are resemble the Manthal Rock Buddhas, Skardu and Kargah Buddha, Gilgit respectively. Due to the lack of a systematic study, it would be difficult to propose dating for this group of relics. The only preliminary assessment possible now is that they were carved during the time when these areas were under the Tibetan control before and after the fall of the central monarchy.
Latitude: 35.152147000
Longitude: 76.335419000
Ownership: Private
Legal Status: Not Protected
Title of Publication: Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology & Museum Department Gilgit-Baltistan
Published In: Miscellaneous
Year of Publication: Miscellaneous
Bibliography/Reference: Anonymous
