Type: Archaeological Site - Rock Shelter
Province: Gilgit-Baltistan
District: Diamir
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 5th-8th Century CE
Description: The Chilas-I site is situated between Jayachan Hill and the river Indus on the right side of Batugah rivulet. This site is mentioned by Sir Aural Stein during his short visit in 1942. Standard and the most remarkable, beautiful, ornamented stupas, Buddha, and Bodhisattvas figures, Brahmi inscriptions are found here. On the left bank of the river Indus near the Thalpan suspension bridge a bulk of petroglyphs are recorded. Dr. Karl Jettmar found the Tiger Jataka scene at Chilas-I site during 1981. The picture of the Vyaghri Jataka in Chilas I is depicted on the right side of the slope rock; on the left side a big stupa is shown while next to it is a figure honoring the stupa. On a huge rock a tree-goddess is shown, right hand is slightly held up showing her helplessness at being deeply disgusted by the horrible happening, while her left-hand rest on her head showing her grief. There are three other figures standing on the left side of the tree. The left figure faces the scene of the sacrifice while clasping his hands on his chest in a state of shock. The person is wearing a lion apron and a head cover having its upper part bended up. The person in the middle is wearing the same costume and is talking with the third person standing on his left. He is bent to the right depicting his desire to rush down and stop the happening while the figures on the left and in the middle seem to show a man in young age. The right side is standing an elderly man with his beard and his bristled-up hair. In this Jataka, the Buddhas pose depicts his strong determination to sacrifice himself before the animals. Five different beasts are shown attacking their prey.
Latitude: 35.430703304
Longitude: 74.097077538
Ownership: Private
Legal Status: Not Protected
Title of Publication: Archaeological Survey of Gilgit-Baltistan by Baltistan Culture and Development Foundation
Published In: Unpublished
Year of Publication: 2017
Bibliography/Reference: Arif, Muhammad.
