Barikot

[4][5] The Italian Archaeological Mission (renamed ISMEO) founded by Giuseppe Tucci has been excavating ruins of the ancient town of Bazira under Barikot since 1984.[10] During this time, c. 1200 to 800 BC, archaeological data show the presence of a large settlement (around 15 ha), including a hilltop acropolis, commented by Callieri et al. (2000), an inner stronghold, and an extensive outer graveyard.Italian Mission archaeologists consider this phase saw the complete disappearance of Achaemenid ceramic forms, but that household Indic vessels were still in use at Barikot.This is the earliest apsidal temple found in Pakistan until now, and is a revolutionary discovery also because it proves the presence of Buddhism in Swat since the 3rd century BC, and confirms that Menander I, known as Milinda by early Buddhists, supported this cult.[19] A 2024 publication by Luca Maria Olivieri considers that: "[The] apsidal temple [is] associated with an Indian-style Buddhist stupa [...] dating to the time of the great promoter of Buddhism, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (r. 268-232 BC).[24] Belonging to Macrophase 3b, this period in Barikot attests "historically and culturally [...] the annexation of Swat by Sakas and Parthians [...]" as before 80 AD the Defensive Wall was reinforced.[25] This period belongs to Macrophase 4a and 4b in Early Kushan times,[4][26] when "in the first centuries of the Common Era, [t]his geographical area appears to have acted as a referential space for at least three distinct and overlapping religious and social realities: the Buddhist saṃgha, the so-called ‘Dardic’ communities, and Barikot’s urban elites.[30] Turk Shahi was a Kabul-based Turkic dynasty which also ruled Swat Valley (from 7th to 9th centuries AD), so members of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan were able to find a unique temple from this period, built in Barikot, on the top of Ghwandai mound.
Location of Barikot (Bazira). Fort with remaining fortifications
City of Barikot in the foreground, and the remains of the Bazira fortress are on top of the Ghundai Hill.
Ruins of Barikot.
Barikot artefact.
Barikot ruins panorama.
ProvinceKhyber PakhtunkhwaDistrictTehsilBarikotTime zonePashtoSwat RiverPakistanMingoraButkara StupaSwat ValleycitadelAlexander the GreatChalcolithicearly-historic periodGiuseppe TucciGandhara grave cultureAchaemenidCurtius RufusAssakenoiMauryanMauryan eraGreco-BactrianAi-KhanoumAshokaIndo-Greek kingMilindaKharosthiMenander IacropolisbastionsKushan EmpireschistBuddhaKanthakaBuddhistDionysusTurk ShahiUddiyanaFrom KesarKhurasan Tegin ShahHindu ShahiLahore MuseumGhaznavidGandharaGandhara kingdomAchaemenid invasion of the Indus ValleyGreek conquests in IndiaMauryan EmpireGreco-Bactrian kingdomIndo-Greek kingdomIndo-ScythiansIndo-ParthiansAlchon HunsTurk ShahisHindu ShahisGhaznavid EmpireGreco-Buddhist artGreco-BuddhismHellenistic influence on Indian artSilk Road transmission of BuddhismPeshawarTakht-i-BahiSahr-i-BahlolBaho DheriAziz DheriShaji-ki-DheriKanishka stupaLoriyan TangaiJamal GarhiBhamalaAhin PoshSaidu SharifCharsaddaPushkalavatiRanigatHashtnagarSikri stupaTaxilaSirkapDharmarajikaJaulianKalawanMohra MuraduJandialKunala StupaMankialaBhir MoundAfghanistanTapa ShotorChakhil-i-GhoundiShotorakPaitavaBimaranMes AynakFondukistanKhair KhanehSphola StupaTapa SardarTepe NarenjTepe MaranjanAramaic Inscription of TaxilaBimaran CasketKanishka reliquaryStone palettesBuddhas of BamiyanBuner reliefsSaptarishi Tila statuePost-Mauryan coinage of GandharaKabul hoardShinkot casketRukhuna reliquaryTreasure of BegramWardak VaseStanding BuddhaBrussels BuddhaBajaur casketSilver Reliquary of IndravarmanHephthalite silver bowlGardez Ganesha