| History of Pakistan |
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| Pakistan emerged on the world map as an independent sovereign state in August 1947, as a result of the division of the British Indian Empire. With a land area of 796,095 sq. km. [including FATA (Federal Administered Tribal Areas) and FANA (Federal Administered Northern Areas), its population stands at nearly 130.60 million, according to the 1998 Census. Historically, this is one of the most ancient lands known to man. Its cities flourished before Babylon was built; its people practiced the art of good living and citizenship before the celebrated ancient Greeks. The region traces its history back to at least 2,500 years before Christ, when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley. Excavations at Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Kot Diji have brought to light evidence of an advanced civilization flourishing here even in most ancient times. Around 1,500 B.C. the Aryans conquered this region and slowly pushed the Hindu inhabitants further east, towards the Ganges Valley. Later, the Persians occupied the northern regions in 5th century B.C. The Greeks came in 327 B.C., under Alexander of Macedonia, and ran through the region like a meteor. In 712 A.D. the Arabs, led by Mohammed Bin Qasim, landed somewhere near what is now Karachi, and ruled the lower half of Pakistan for two hundred years. During this time Islam took root and influenced the life, culture and traditions of the inhabitants of the region.  From 10th century A.D. onwards, a systematic conquest of Indo-Pakistan by the Muslims from Central Asia began and lasted up to 18th century A.D., when the British colonized the Sub-continent and ruled for nearly 200 years (for 100 years over what is now Pakistan). The Muslim revival began towards the end of the last century when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a renowned leader and educationist, launched a movement for intellectual renaissance of the Indian Muslims. In 1930, the well-known poet/philosopher, Dr. Mohammed Iqbal conceived the idea of a separate state for the Muslims of the Sub-continent, and in 1940, the All-India Muslim League adopted the famous Pakistan Resolution. After seven years of untiring struggle, under the brilliant leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistan emerged on the world map as a sovereign state on August 14, 1947, when the British Indian Empire was partitioned into two independent states - India and Pakistan. |
| Official Name: | Islamic Republic of Pakistan. | |
| Capital: | Islamabad. | |
| Area: | 796,096-sq. km. [Punjab 205,344; Sindh 140,914; Northwest Frontier Province 74,521; Balochistan 347,190; Federally Administered Tribal Areas 27,220 and Islamabad (Capital) 906 sq. km.] | |
| Population: | 130.60 million (1998 Census) | |
| Ethnic Composition: | 95% Muslims, 5% others |
| Per Capita Income: | US $ 460 | |
| Currency: | Pak. Rupee | |
| Language: | Urdu (National language), English (Official) | |
| Archaeological Sites: | Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji, Mehar Garh, and Takht Bahi | |
| Major Cities: | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad and Multan. |
PAKISTANI COUISINE
described as a fusion of cuisine from three Asian
regions: Central Asia, Middle East (especially Iran,
owing to Pakistan's strong historical and ancestral
links with the country,) and South Asia. Pakistani
cuisine is often spicy and is known for its richness.
[1]
Within Pakistan, cuisine varies greatly from region
to region, reflecting the country's ethnic, cultural
and culinary diversity. The cuisine in Sindh and the
Punjab can be very hot and spicy characterizing the
South Asian flavour. Food in the North-West Frontier
Province, Baluchistan, Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir
involves the use of mild aromatic spices and relatively
less oil is used characterizing the Central Asian and
Middle Eastern influence. The main course is served
with wheat bread (naan) or rice. Salad is generally
taken with the main course rather than before. Assorted
fresh fruit or desserts are consumed for dessert.
Due to shared cultural history, Pakistani cuisine has many
commonalities with Indian cuisine, especially north Indian
cuisine
[2][3] However, meat plays a more dominant
role in Pakistani food, compared to other South Asian
cuisines. According to a 2003 report, an average Pakistani
consumed three times more meat than an average Indian.
[4] Of all the meats, the most popular are: beef, goat, lamb,
and chicken. Seafood is generally not consumed in large
amounts, though it was very popular in the former
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), as it plays a strong
role in Bengali cuisine.
International cuisine and fast food are popular in cities.
Blending local and foreign recipes (fusion food) is
common in large urban centres. Furthermore, as a
result of lifestyle changes, ready made masalas
(mixed and ready to use spices) are becoming increasingly
popular. However, given the diversity of the people of
Pakistan, cuisines generally differ from home to home
and maybe be totally different than the mainstream
Pakistani cuisine.
| Ancient Civilizations |
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| Modern Pakistanis are a blend of their Harappan, Indo-Aryan, Indo-Iranian, Saka, Parthian, Kushan, White Hun, Afghan, Arab, Turkic, and Mughal heritage. Waves of invaders and migrants settled down in Pakistan through out the centuries, influencing the locals and being absorbed among them. Thus the region encompassed by modern-day Pakistan is home to the oldest Asian civlization (and one of the oldest in the world after Mesopotamia and Egypt), Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC - 1500 BC).  The modern state of Pakistan was established on 14 August1947, but the region it encompasses has an extensive history that overlaps with the histories of Ancient India, Iran and Afghanistan. The region was a crossroads of historic trade routes, including the Silk Road, and was settled over thousands of years by many groups, including Dravidians, Indo-Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Parthians Kushans, White Huns, Afghans, Arabs, Turks, and Mongols; the region is often referred to as "a museum of races." Historian and geographer de Blij Muller characterized the historical embodiment of the land when he said, "If, as is so often said, Egypt is the gift of the Nile, then Pakistan is the gift of the Indus." The earliest evidence of humans are pebble tools from the Soan Culture in the province of Punjab, dated from 100,000 to 500,000 years ago. The Indus region was the site of several ancient cultures including Mehrgarh, one of the world's earliest known towns, and the Indus Valley Civilisation at Harrappa and Mohenjo-Daro. of the second millennium BCE and was followed by the Vedic Civilisation, which extended over much of northern India and Pakistan. Successive empires and kingdoms ruled the region from the Achaemenid Persian empire around 543 BCE, to Alexander the Great in 326 BCE and the Mauryan empire. The Indo-Greek Kingdom founded by Demetrius of Bactria included Gandhara and Punjab from 184 BCE, and reached its greatest extent under Menander, establishing the Greco-Buddhist period with advances in trade and culture. The city of Taxila (Takshashila) became a major centre of learning in ancient times - the remains of the city, located to the west of Islamabad, are one of the country's major archaeological sites. |
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| People of Pakistan |
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Pakistan is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and predominantly a Muslim society. Ninety-seven per cent of the140 million people in Pakistan are Muslims. The population is made up of different ethnic groups, such as dominant Punjabis, Siraikis, Sindhis, Pakhtuns, Baloch, Brahvis, Kashmiris, Hazaras, Urdu-speaking immigrants from India or Mohajirs, Gojars, Kohistanis, Chitralis, and a dozen or so Dardic languages-speaking lingo-ethnic groups. The official language is English, and most of the urban people can understand and speak Urdu as well. However, Urdu is the mother tongue of only seven per cent of the population. The other main languages are Sindhi, Punjabi, Pushto, Balochi, Siraiki, and Brahvi. More than half the working population is involved in agriculture and live in rural areas. Manufacturing, mining, and service industries are the other large employers in the urban sectors. Many people go abroad in search of work. Race as such plays little part in defining regional or group identity in Pakistan, and no ideal racial type is accepted by all Pakistanis. However, ethno-lingual processes over the centuries have helped developed nationalities and ethno-lingual groups who have a deep sense of identity, psychological make-up, commonality of language and area and belonging to certain regions of Pakistan. The population is a complex mixture of indigenous peoples, many racial types having been introduced by successive waves of migrations from the northwest, as well as by internal migrations across the subcontinent of India. Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Pathans (Pashtuns), and Mughals came from the northwest and spread across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, while the Arabs conquered Sindh. All left their mark on the population and culture of the land. During the long period of Muslim rule, immigrants from the Middle East were brought in and installed as members of the ruling oligarchy. It became prestigious to claim descent from them, and many members of the landed gentry and of upper-class families are either actually or putatively descended from such immigrants. |
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| Pakhtoons |
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Pakhtoon designates a person who speaks Pukhtu. Pathan is a Hindi term adopted for them by the British. The racial composition of the Pukhtoons is less than clear. The tribes who dwelled in the area in the days of the Greek historians are believed to be part of the great Aryan horde which had moved down from Central Asia a millennium earlier. Over the course of centuries, the Greek, Persian, Turk, and Mongol invaders who passed through the Frontier have added their blood.Nearly one-third of the population of NWFP is non-Pakhtoon. In the tribal areas, they are called Hamsaya or Kadwal. In the border areas of Hazara and Derajat, social norms more closely resembling those in Punjab and Kashmir may be discerned. |
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| Baloch |
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Baloch are a group of tribes speaking the Balochi language and estimated at about 8,800,000 inhabitants in the province of Balochistan in Pakistan and also neighbouring areas of Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Punjab (India). In Pakistan the Balochi people are divided into two groups, the Sulaimani and the Makrani, separated from each other by a compact block of Brahui tribes. The original Balochi homeland probably lay on the Iranian plateau. The Balochi were mentioned in Arabic chronicles of the 10th century AD. The old tribal organization is best preserved among those inhabiting the Sulaiman Mountains. Each tribe (tuman) consists of several clans and acknowledges one chief, even though in some tuman there are clans in habitual opposition to the chief. |
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| Sindhi’s |
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Sindh has very glorious past. The richness of its history and culture has always attracted scholars of the country and abroad for the study of all aspects of Sindhi life and its ethos. Historically the roots of Sindhi culture and civilization go back to a hoary past. Archaeological researches during 19th and 20th centuries A.D., showed the roots of social life, religion and culture of the people of the Sindh- their agricultural practices, traditional arts and crafts, customs and tradition etc. going back to a ripe and mature Indus valley civilization of the third millennium B.C. Recent researches have traced the richness of the Indus valley civilization, to even earlier ancestry. Sindhi culture can truly lay claim to being one of the oldest known to man, surpassing certain shades and colors even those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and china. |
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| Punjabi’s |
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An important aspect of Punjabi ethnicity is reciprocity at the village level. A man's brother is his friend, his friend is his brother, and both enjoy equal access to his resources. Traditionally, a person has virtually free access to a kinsman's resources without foreseeable payback. This situation results in social networks founded on local (kinship-based) group needs as opposed to individual wants. These networks in turn perpetuate not only friendly relations but also the structure of the community itself. There is great social pressure on an individual to share and pool such resources as income, political influence, and personal connections. Kinship obligations continue to be central to a Punjabi's identity and concerns. Distinctions based on qaum remain significant social markers, particularly in rural areas. |
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| Diverse Culture |
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Modern Pakistanis are a blend of their Harappan, Indo-Aryan, Indo-Iranian, Saka, Parthian, Kushan, White Hun, Afghan, Arab, Turkic, and Mughal heritage. Waves of invaders and migrants settled down in Pakistan through out the centuries, influencing the locals and being absorbed among them. Thus the region encompassed by modern-day Pakistan is home to the oldest Asian civlization (and one of the oldest in the world after Mesopotamia and Egypt), Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC - 1500 BC).  The modern state of Pakistan was established on14 August 1947, but the region it encompasses has an extensive history that overlaps with the histories of Ancient India, Iran and Afghanistan. The region was a crossroads of historic trade routes, including the Silk Road, and was settled over thousands of years by many groups, including Dravidians, Indo-Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Parthians Kushans, White Huns, Afghans, Arabs, Turks, and Mongols; the region is often referred to as "a museum of races." Historian and geographer de Blij Muller characterized the historical embodiment of the land when he said, "If, as is so often said, Egypt is the gift of the Nile, then Pakistan is the gift of the Indus." The earliest evidence of humans are pebble tools from the Soan Culture in the province of Punjab, dated from 100,000 to 500,000 years ago.
The Indus region was the site of several ancient cultures including Mehrgarh, one of the world's earliest known towns, and the Indus Valley Civilisation at Harrappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
Vedic Civilisation, which extended over much of orthern India and Pakistan. Successive empires and kingdoms ruled the region from the Achaemenid Persian empire around 543 BCE, to Alexander the Great in 326 BCE and the Mauryan empire. The Indo-Greek Kingdom founded by Demetrius of Bactria included Gandhara and Punjab from 184 BCE, and reached its greatest extent under Menander, establishing the Greco-Buddhist period with advances in trade and culture. The city of Taxila (Takshashila) became a major centre of learning in ancient times - the remains of the city, located to the west of Islamabad, are one of the country's major archaeological sites. |
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| Landscape, Location and Geography |
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The landscape of Pakistan ranges from lofty mountains in the north, the Karakoram and the Himalayas, through dissected plateaus to the rich alluvial plains of the Punjab. Then follows desolate barrenness of Balochistan and the hot dry deserts of Sindh blending into miles and miles of golden beaches of Mekran coast. Pakistan is situated between latitude 24 and 37 degrees North and longitude 62 and 75 degrees East. The country borders Iran on the West, India on the East, Afghanistan in the North-West, China in the North and the Arabian Sea in the South. The great mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindukush form Pakistan's northern highlands of North West Frontier Province and the Northern Area; Punjab province is a flat, alluvial plain with five major rivers dominating the upper region eventually joining the Indus River flowing south to the Arabian Sea; Sindh is bounded on the east by the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch and on the west by the Kirthar range; the Balochistan Plateau is an arid tableland, encircled by dry mountains. Its total area is 803,940 Sq.Km and total land area is 778,720 Sq.Km. (including FATA and FANA). |
| Demographics of Pakistan |
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| Pakistan has an estimated population of 165,803,560, as of April 2006.[34] Pakistan has the world's sixth largest population, placing it higher than Russia, and lower than Brazil. Because of Pakistan's high growth rate, it is expected to surpass Brazil in population in the year 2020. Population projections for Pakistan are relatively difficult because of the apparent differences in the accuracy of each census and the inconsistencies between various surveys related to fertility rate, but it is likely that the rate of growth peaked in 1980s. The population was estimated at 162,400,000 on July 1, 2005, with a fertility rate of 34 per thousand, a death rate of 10 per thousand, and the rate of natural increase at 2.4%. Pakistan also has a high infant mortality rate of 70 per thousand births. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan, and English is the official language used in the Constitution and widely used by corporate businesses, the educated urban elite, and most universities. Punjabi is spoken by over 60 million people, but has no official recognition in the country. The large majority of Pakistanis belong to the Indo-Aryan ethnic group although there are a substantial number of Iranic peoples and smaller numbers of Dravidians. These major ethnic groups are further broken down into several smaller ethnic groups - Punjabis (44.68)% of the population, Pashtuns (15.42%), Sindhis (14.1%), Seraikis (10.53%), Muhajirs (7.57%), Balochis (3.57%) and others (4.66%) such as Tajiks, Bengalis and many others. |
| Provinces |
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Balochistan and NWFP also have Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) which are being developed into regular districts. Territories: |
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| Unique Mountains, Valleys and Glaciers |
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Northern areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 sq.Km. are as fascinating as its southern region. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1000 m to over 8000 meter, the valleys of Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns in this region are as interesting as its topography.
The people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi provide the traveler an unforgettable experience. Nowhere in the world there is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers and passes except Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8000 peaks on earth, 4 occupy an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range. These are: K-2 (8611 m, world second highest), Broad Peak (8047m), Gasherbrum I (8068m) and Gasherbrum II (8035m). There is yet another which is equally great, that is, Nanga Parbat (8126m) at the western most end of the Himalayas.
In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7000 m and hundreds which are over 6000 m. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 km), Hispar (61 km.), Biafo (60 km.), Baltoro (60 km.), Batura (64 km.), Yenguta (35 km.), Chiantar (34 km.), Trich (29 km.) and Atrak (28 km.). The lower Himalayan valleys of Swat, Kaghan and Chitral in the Hindukush range equally share the beauty and diverse culture of the Northern Pakistan. |
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| Pakistan has a rich and unique culture that has preserved established traditions throughout history[citation needed. Many cultural practices, foods, monuments, and shrines were inherited from the rule of Muslim Mughal and Afghan emperors including the national dress of Shalwar Qameez. Women wear brightly coloured shalwar qameez, while men often wear solid-coloured ones, usually with a sherwani or achkan (long coat) that is worn over the garment.  The variety of Pakistani music ranges from diverse provincial folk music and traditional styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal Gayaki to modern forms fusing traditional and western music, such as the synchronisation of Qawwali and western music by the renowned Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Other major Ghazal singers include Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum, Tahira Syed, Abida Parveen and Iqbal Bano. The arrival of Afghan refugees in the western provinces has rekindled Pashto and Persian music and established Peshawar as a hub for Afghan musicians and a distribution centre for Afghan music abroad. Until the 1990s, the state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation were the dominant media outlets, but there are now numerous private television channels such as Geo TV, Indus TV, Hum,ARY, KTN, Sindh TV and Kashish. Various American, European, and Asian television channels and movies are available to the majority of the Pakistani population via cable and satellite television. There are also small indigenous movie industries based in Lahore and Peshawar (often referred to as Lollywood and Pollywood). Although Bollywood movies are banned, Indian film stars are generally popular in Pakistan.  Pakistani society is largely multilingual and predominantly Muslim, with high regard for traditional family values, although urban families have grown into a nuclear family system due to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional joint family system. Recent decades have seen the emergence of a middle class in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sukkur and Peshawar that wish to move in a more liberal direction, as opposed to the northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan that remain highly conservative and dominated by centuries-old regional tribal customs. Increasing globalization has increased the influence of "Western culture" with Pakistan ranking 46th on the Kearney/FP Globalization Index.[42] There are an approximated four million Pakistanis living abroad, [43} with close to a half-million expatriates living in the United States[44] and around a million living in Saudi Arabia.[45]As well as nearly one million people of Pakistani descent in the United Kingdom, there are burgeoning cultural connections. Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan, based on its diverse cultures, peoples and landscapes. Ancient civilization ruins such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations attract those interested in field and winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000m, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially K2. The northern parts of Pakistan have many old fortresses, towers and other architecture as well as the Hunza and Chitral valleys, the latter being home to the small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community who claim descent from the army of Alexander the Great. Punjab is the site of Alexander's battle on the Jhelum River and the historic city Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital with many examples of Mughal architecture such as the Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and the Lahore Fort. | |||||||||
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| Welcome To Pakistan - The Land of Adventure and Nature |
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| From the mighty stretches of the Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching, are a few activities, which entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan. Pakistan is endowed with a rich and varied flora and fauna. High Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges with their alpine meadows and permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the vast Indus plain merging into the great desert, the coast line and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory. Ten of 18 mammalian orders are represented in Pakistan with species ranging from the world's smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean Pigmy Shrew, to the largest mammal ever known; the blue whale. |
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ADVENTURE TOURISM
| The Silk Route |
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| For centuries, the Silk Route remained the main trading route between the South Asia and the Central Asia. After the construction of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in 1982 along the same alignment, joining Pakistan with Chinese Muslim autonomous region of Xinjiang, the ancient trade link has been revived. The KKH has provided a great opportunity for international travellers to explore the un-spoilt natural beauty, unique culture and ancient traditions of the Northern Pakistan together with the other Silk Road countries like China, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. |
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| The Karakorams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Karakoram means black mountain in Turkish. This splendid magnificent collection of dark brown and black metamorphic rocks is the most unique mountain range. It has the largest concentration of lofty pinnacles and mountains in the world, stretching for 400 kms with 250 kms depth. It is bounded by Shhyok River in the east and Karamber, Ishkuman and Gilgit Rivers in the west in the north-east it is bounded by Shaksgam river and in the south-west by Shyok and the Indus rivers, Karakoram is specially characterized by its fissured rocks, gendarme like vertical features and steep slopes presenting great challenge to climbers and adventure seekers. Four peaks above eight thousand meters i.e., K-2, Gasherbrum 1 & 2 and Broad Peak are situated in Karakoram in a radius of just twenty kms around a famous glacial junction called Concordia. The sub regions of the Karakoram are Baltoro, Soltoro, Hispar, Lupghar, Khunjerab, Panmah, Aghilm, Masherbrum, Saser, Siachen, Rimo, Batura, Rakaposhi/Bogrot and Haramosh. The snow line in this range varies between 4200 to 4500 meters during the summers. The temperatures in the area are extreme and there is large difference between lowest and highest temperatures during a day. Monsoons do not penetrate this area. Most suitable climbing season in Karakoram being from the month of May till end of September each year. Climbing during winters is, however, possible. Besides high mountains, Karakoram is inhabited by the largest glaciers outside the polar region. For centuries travelers have been lured by the grander and massiveness of the Karakoram and Hindukush. The Chinese were the earliest known travelers on the famous Silk Route which passed through these magnificent ranges and recorded their impressions of dark mountains, rope bridges and mighty glaciers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Malam Jabba: the roof-top of the world! |
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At 8’700 feet above sea level, Malam Jabba Ski Resortstands on top of a mountain of the Hindukush range, north east of Saidu Sharif. Surrounded by mighty Karakorams and stunning Black mountains, Malam Jabba is more that just a Ski Resort. It is a holiday resort that caters to all interests and is also home to the remains of ancient civilizations. Amidst its natural beauty and imprints of Gandhara civilization, lie the wonders of modern tourist facilities such as: |
| • 52 rooms motel • 2 skiing platforms • Chairlifts ( 800 meters long cable, highest point 9,200 feet above sea level) • Roller/Ice Skating rinks • Restaurant offering both local and international cuisine • Telephone facility • Running tap water • Snow clearing equipment |
| The food, lodging and skiing facilities are all managed by foreign trained staff and offered at competitive prices. |
| Easy To Reach |
Situated on one of the important offshoots of the Karakoram Highway, Malam Jabba is 314 km from Islamabad and 51 km from Saidu Sharif Airport on Saidu Sharif-Kalam Road. The road diverts right from Manglor to Malam Jabba. |
| Sights Unlimited |
Mighty ranges of the Hindukush, the Karakoram and Black Mountains, gentle slopes, placid plains, torrential streams…Malam Jabba offers unlimited sights to behold. The summer temperatures of 10oC to 25oC give way to lush green meadows and thick green forests of Pine & Deodar trees. In the winter when the temperature falls to –5oC to -10oC, the angel white snow make it the ideal place for skiing. The enchantment of Malam Jabba goes beyond this natural beauty. The 2000 years old archaeological remains situated at an altitude of 2600 ft above sea level include two Buddhist stupas and 6 monasteries, scattered over the slope opposite the main structure of the ski resort, measuring 310 meters north to south and 500 meters east to west. The main stupa uncovered in these remains depicts a circular plinth, with moulding. The diameter is 13.01 meters; the maximum surviving height is 1.50 meters. The lower wall curves gently inwards and there is a small projection that steps out a short distance at the base of the actual stupa. Besides these slights, Malam Jabba boasts of two major treks amidst beautiful scenery. One track winding through Ghorband Valley and Shangla top is 18 km from the resort. It is a jeepable track overlooking the Miandam settlement and reaches Shangla top in 1-1/2 hours from where the adventure seekers can proceed to the Karakoram Highway. The other major track leads to Saboney valley, 17 km from the resort through thick Pine forests and peach and apple orchards. |
| Around Malam Jabba |
picturesque SwaMalam Jabba is part of the the valley which sprawls over 10,360 sq.km. Swat, which has been inhabited for over 2000 years is known to be the cradle of Buddhism. The area has also been the battle ground for many battles of Alexander the Great. The strategic location of Malam Jabba makes it convenient for tourists to access other tourist destinations such as: Mingora (the white palace, museum and orchard farms). Come Over For An Experience You’ll Never Forget If Malam Jabba and its surroundings have already began to charm you, then you must visit these places and experience the enchantment for yourself. |
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| Mountaineering in Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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highest peaks of the world. It has 05 peaks over 8,000 metres including the world’s second highest, K-2 (Chogori, 8611 m), 29 peaks of over 7,500 metres and 121 of over 7,000 metres. Hundreds of peaks are still lying un-climbed. This, is a great challenge for the mountaineers and mountain climbers the world over. as open zone or restricted zone. Permits for climbing peaks in open zone, are issued by the Ministry of Tourism, within 24 hours of the receipt of application. However, for peaks/routes in restricted zone, permit is issued within 14 days form the date of receipt of the application in Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan (Operation Section), 9th Floor, Green Trust Towers, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad. Tel:+92-51-9203509 Fax:+92-51-9202347). Pakistani Liaison Officer would accompany all mountaineering expeditions. The Government of Pakistan has fixed following rate or royalty for climbing peaks in Pakistan; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Trekking Tours To Pakistan – Where Mountains Meet | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Pakistan culminate into the lush valleys of Dir, Swat and Kaghan. Beyond them, lie the great northern valleys of Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan. Separating the two river systems which drain from these valleys is the Hindu Raj range, a chain of mountains which forms one of the sharpest cultural boundaries in the world: the cultural line between Central and Northern Asia. Still further north, the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges shape the western extension of the Himalayas. Tough and sparsely populated, Pakistan’s northern valleys exhibit the diversity one would expect of a boundary area. In the east, Baltistan shows an affinity with Tibet; in fact, its language is a dialect of archaic Tibetan and many remnants of Tibetan culture can still be observed, In the Gilgit region, Shina is the dominant language. Gilgit’s most prominent contribution to the area seems to be the Gilgiti cap worn throughout most of northern Pakistan. To the north, legendary Hunza confirms its reputation as one of the world’s great mountain communities. Its Language – Burushaki – seems unrelated to any other and its origins remain a mystery. Like Chitral to the west, Hunza manifests its age-old-contact with Central Asia, the consequence of lying abreast of the Caravan routes that spread south from the all-important passes. Within the borders of Chitral are the Kafir valleys of Birir, Rambur and Bomburet. In a nation that is almost entirely Muslim, the Kafir are unique; they are Pagans (Kafir means infidel) with their own very original beliefs, customs and art forms. The land of these northern valleys is best described as mountainous. During winter, heavy snow separate the valleys from the rest of the world for six months. In the summer, temperatures over 100 degrees are common. In Skardu, one is immediately struck by the juxtaposition of sand dunes and show-capped peak. Pakistan is a paradise for trekkers. Most of the trekking routes lies in the northern mountains of the Hindukush, the Karakorams and the Himalayas. For most of the treks, trekking season is between May to October. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, has defined trekking as walking below 6000 m. It has designated three zones for trekking; open, restricted and closed. Foreigners may trek anywhere in open zone without a permit or services of a licensed mountain guide. For trekking in restricted zone, foreigners must pay a fee of US$ 20 per person per trek to obtain a trekking permit from the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of Pakistan Islamabad. It also requires to hire a licensed mountain guide; buy a personal accident insurance policy for the guide and the porters and to attend mandatory briefing and de-briefing at the Ministry of Tourism, on the beginning and end of the trekking trip. No trekking is allowed in closed zones which are the areas near Pak-Afghan border and near the Line of Control with Indian-held Kashmir. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Following regions/treks are located in open zone; | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Following regions/treks are located in restricted zone; | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| For a list of treks in open and restricted zones, and to have a copy of latest trekking rules & regulations, please write to the Public Relation Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan (Operation Section) 9th Floor, Green Trust Towers, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad. Tel: +92-51-9203509 Fax: +92-51-9202347. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Great Northern Jeep Safari – 21 Days Rwp-Skd-Gil-Nltr-Chitpe-Pe-Swat-Abbtd-Kag-Rwp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Lahore-Peshawar-Swat-Chitral-Shandur- Gilgit-Hunza-Sust-Rawalpindi/Islamabad | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Helicopter Safaris Highlights | ||||||||||
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opportunity for those who have limited time but still like to have a bird’s eye view of Pakistan’s Northern paradise. All these safaris begin from Islamabad. We use Mi-17 (24 passengers) and ALT-III (5 passengers) helicopters for these heli-safaris. Himalayas, lying under the shadow of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), waiting for you to explore by helicopter. in the Trango Group, located on the left of Baltoro Glacier. It is the highest granite tower and considered to be the finest rock pinnacle in the world. like an amphitheater rimmed by ice streams descending from four highest mountains of the Karakorams (K-2, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II and Gasherbrum-IV). The point rests on the junction of two great glaciers – Baltoro and Godwin Austin. Being at Concordia means to be face to face with K-2 (8,611 m), a real soul stirring experience. ever, and produce a permanent effect upon the mind” (Francis Youghusband (1896) – First view of K-2). “The sight was beyond my comprehension and I sat gazing at it with a kind of timid fascination” (Eric Shipton). which was focus of the “Great Games”, at the turn of the 19th Century, is a land of ancient forts, rivers, springs and unique culture. The valleys of Brir, Rambur and Bamburet are the home of the only pagan tribe – Kalash, ‘the wearers of black robes’. | ||||||||||
| Best time to visit: March to November | ||||||||||
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| PIA AIR Safari Highlights |
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Himalayas, the rugged Karakorams, the magnificent Hindu Kush and the mysterious Pamirs congregate along the far Northern frontiers of Pakistan to form an awesome natural bastion along its borders with India, China, Afghanistan, the Central Asian Republics and Russia. In fact, Pakistan’s towering Northern frontiers bestow upon this country the most endowed mountain region on Earth, making it the only country to boast of literally ALL of the highest mountain ranges of the World. It is because of this, that Pakistan International Airlines offers, perhaps the most unique Air Safari on Earth: a grandiose flight into the ultimate realm of the mountains! It is a flight through a virtual forest of literally hundreds of over 7000 meter peaks, inclusive of five that fall into the 14 highest mountains of the world that are over 8,000 meters. The second highest mountain, the majestic K-2, the ninth highest Nanga Parbat, universally dubbed “the killer mountain”, on account of its forbidding reputation in the mountaineering community, the 11th highest Hidden Peak, the 12th highest Broad Peak and the 13th highest Gasherbrum-II, are all part of this amazing region. Four of these awesome peaks come together in the most spectacular theatre on Earth – the Concordia, called the Darbar of the Emperor of the Jinns from the Arabian Nights! The locals believe that the “Badshah” of this land of Jinns chose this spot for his court as it was the loftiest and most remote on Earth. It offers all this and much more. Come and witness all of it with us on board, the PIA Air Safari that can be chartered at just two weeks’ notice. |
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| Khyber Steam Safari | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The train coaches are pulled and pushed by two 1920s vintage oil fired steam engines to climb 1200 meters through 34 tunnels and 92 bridges and culverts. At one point the track climbs to 130 meters after a journey of 1.4 kilometers. A section of the track is shaped like a W and the train has to move in changing directions. The tribal people travelled free as part of the contract agreed upon when they allowed the British to build the railway through their territory.
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ECO TOURISM
| Ayubia National Park |
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Ayubia National Park is located between Pakistan’s most popular hill stations, Murree and Nathiagali. Superb scenery, pine forests, green mountain slopes, clear water streams and lots of wild flowers and colorful butterflies combine together to offer an enchanting panorama. We have planned for you a hiking trip to Ayubia National Park during the summer holidays. We will drive to Ayubia from Islamabad and enjoy the beautiful scenery enroute. After check in at the hotel, you will be free to acclimatize yourself to the mountain environment. Next day we will do the pipeline walk through the National Park area and climb the Mukshpuri Top (elevation 9800 feet). On the way, we are likely to see hundreds of wild flowers and colorful butterflies. You will also have superb views overlooking Kashmir and Abbottabad. |
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| White Water Sports | ||||||||||
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length and breadth. Right from the heights of the Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindukush, Pakistan’s rivers change its courses and flows until they all meet the mighty Indus, at different points, which ultimately falls into the Arabian Sea. These rivers are ideal for all types of water sports like, rafting, canoeing, boating and sailing. Following rivers in the Northern Pakistan, are open for water sports, besides the Indus, the Ravi and the Chenab in NWFP, Punjab and Sindh provinces; | ||||||||||
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| Wetlands & Historical Sites Of Salt Range | |||||||||||
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hills that run east to west between the Soan and Jhelum rivers from the Grand Trunk Road, near Jhelum city to the River Indus, near Kalabagh. This area is said to record 600 million years of Earth’s history. Its name comes from the vast deposits of rock salt exposed and mined at Khewra. The salt was left behind when the sea, which extended over the Indus plains and the Potowar plateau, evaporated 600 million years ago. The rocks and fossils found around the salt range provide a complete record of the history of Earth. Layers of rock in the range have been tipped vertically or in some places are inverted, so that the older fossil-strewn layers now lie on the surface. The tour will take you to Khewra, the largest Salt Mines in the world, the fort and temples of Hindu Shahi period (8-10 century A.D.) at Katas and Malot and the beautiful lakes at Kalar Kahar, Uchali, Khabaki and Jhalar which attract thousands of migratory birds each year. This tour will also give you a chance to take a close look at the typical village lifestyle of Northern Punjab. | |||||||||||
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| Bird Watching, Keenjhar & Haleji Lakes |
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the great lakes, lies the beautiful fresh water lakes of Haleji and Keenjhar in the district of Thatta. Some forty thousand birds including over 70 species of waterfowl find refuge over here during the winter months. These lakes can be regarded as one of the most important wintering areas for waterfowls in Eurasia. Flamingos, Pelicans, Purple Gallinules, Ducks, Coots, Herons, Pheasants, Tailed Jacanas, to name but a few can be observed undisturbed in their natural habitat. Besides providing you with an excellent opportunity for bird-watching, our tour will also allow you to explore the historical monuments of Thatta and Chaukandi. Thatta has the largest necropolis in the world with beautifully engraved sandstone on the graves. The Shah Jehan Mosque of Thatta, built in the mid 17th century A.D., has 99 domes and is considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. |
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| Bird-watching along The Karakoram Highway |
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Havelian (100 km north of Islamabad) and winds through Abbottabad-Mansehra-Thakot-Besham-Pattan-Chilas- Gilgit-Hunza to Khunjerab Pass beyond which Chinese territory begins. Abbottabad is 1255 meters high open valley with green surrounding mountains, cultivated fields, orchards and streams. The fauna in this area is oriental and the bird species are replaced by palae-arctic species as we proceed further along the KKH beyond Thakot. Birds likely to be seen
Kestrol, Snow Partridge, Seesee Partridge, Himalayan Snow-cock, Chukor Partridge, Monal Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Hill Pigeon, Rufous Turtle Dove, the Cuckoo, Great Horned Owl, the Swift, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Scalybeltied Green, Woodpecker, short-toed Lark, Horned Lark, Grey Martin, Swallow, Golden Oriole, Brahminy Myna, Magpie, Nutcracker, Alpine chough, Redbilled chough, Rook, Rufous tailed Flycatcher, Booted Warbler, Orphan Warbler, Chiffchaff and other Phylloscopus species, several other warblers, Blue throat and Ruby-throat, Chats, Thrushes, Wren, Dipper, Accentors, Tits, Tree creeper, wall creeper, pipits, Redpols, Wagtails, Finches and Buntings. Mammals likely to be seen
Pikas, Brown Bear. |
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Brown Bears of Deosai Plains |
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The Adventure Jeep Safari will take you right across the beautiful mountain ranges of the Himalayas and Karakorams. Travelling on Karakoram Highway (KKH), you will enjoy the most spectacular scenery on earth. Before reaching Deosai, you will also witness the magical views of Nanga Parbat (8126 m), the ninth highest peak of the world, from different angles. At Deosai, our first stop will be at Sheosar Lake. This place offers beautiful views of south face of Nanga Parbat and a panoramic view of Deosai Plains. At Bara Pani, you can spend one day and visit the core zone of National Park for Bear Watching or you may enjoy fishing in the cold waters of Barwai Stream. From Deosai, we will drive back via Skardu and Gilgit and have a chance to enjoy the most thrilling drive along the River Indus. |
Indus Blind Dolphin |
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Among these are various resident and migratory birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The Indus Blind Dolphin is one of its most famous inhabitants. Through this tour, we will take you to Taunsa Barrage, which is a two and a half hour drive from Multan. From Taunsa Barrage, you will travel down the river Indus on a traditional fishing boat where you will catch unforgettable glimpses of rural life in the Southern Punjab and the innumerable species of birds that stop by in these areas on their north-south migratory route. You will also have the opportunity to see the remarkable blind dolphin skirting to the surface near your boat. |
SPIRITUAL TOURISM
| Religion |
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The Indus Valley gave rise to one of the first great civilizations. Mahayana Buddhism also developed here as did the Sikh religion under Guru Nanak. Pakistan was created in the Indus Valley specifically to provide the Muslims of South Asia with a state of their own, and there are very few countries where religion plays such an important role in the lives of people. of which roughly 80% are Sunni and 20 % are Sh'iah. About 1 % of the population is Christian with slightly more protestants than Catholics. The Hindus, mostly nomads living in the South account for less than 1%. In Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Quetta there are small communities of Buddhists and there are a tiny group of animist Kalash living in Chitral on the Afghan border. |
| Islam |
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the lives of Pakistani people, in fact, it prevails in every aspect of society. The muezzin's call to worship from the minarets of the mosques; men bowed in prayer in the fields, shops and airports; qibla (Urdu for 'the direction of Makkah') is marked in every hotel bedroom; the veiled women in the streets - all constantly remind you of the devotion and passion of the Pakistanis for their religion. The message of Islam was brought by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) in the Arabian city of Makkah. He saw himself as God's messenger and taught that all human beings are equal in the sight of God. It is also believed by all Muslims that he was the one who God sent the Qu'ran so that its word may be spread among the masses. The Qu'ran is believed to be infallible and the words of God. |
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| Sufism |
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Each shrine has a festival (urs) each year on the death anniversary of the saint's death. The shrine then becomes a fairground, with musicians playing traditional instruments and singers performing mystical folk songs while dancers dance themselves in to a devotional frenzy. Trade fairs, sports competitions and traditional martial arts also take place such as fighting with daggers and riding. |
| Sikhism |
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near Lahore. He took elements from Hinduism and Islam and combined them with new ideas. They controlled an empire centered on Punjab, with Lahore as their temporal capital and nearby Amritsar (in India) as their religious capital. At partition, all the Sikhs migrated to India where they are now asking for a separate Sikh state in the Indian part of Punjab. Their shrines in Pakistan are maintained by the government and are visited at festival times by Sikh pilgrims. |
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Buddhism |
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Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a philosophy, and a system of psychology. Buddhism is also known in Sanskrit or Pali, t he main ancient languages of Buddhists, as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means the teachings of "the Enlightened One". Thus was called Siddhartha Gautama, hereinafter referred to as "the Buddha". The Buddha was born in Lumbini (now in Nepal), and that he died aged around 80 in Kushinagara (India). He lived in or around the fifth century BC. Buddhism spread throughout South Asia in the five centuries following the Buddha's passing, and thence into Central, Southeast and East Asia and Eastern Europe over the next two millennia. Eventually, South Asian Buddhism became virtually extinct, except in parts of Nepal. Buddhism is usually classified into the three traditions;
Eastern and Northern Buddhism both call themselves Mahayana. Buddhism continues to attract followers worldwide and is considered a major world religion. According to one source, " World estimates for Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with most around 350 million." According to one analysis, Buddhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world behind Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and traditional Chinese religion. The monks' order (Sangha), which began during the lifetime of the Buddha in India, is amongst the oldest organizations on earth. In Buddhism, any person who has awakened from the "sleep of ignorance" by directly realizing the true nature of realit is called a buddha. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is thus only one among other buddhas before or after him. His teachings are oriented toward the attainment of this kind of enlightenment, Bodhi, liberation, or Nirvana. Part of the Buddha’s teachings regarding the holy life and the goal of liberation is constituted by the "The Four Noble Truths", which focus on dukkha, a term that refers to suffering or the sorrow of life. The Four Noble Truths regarding suffering state what is ts nature, its cause, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation. This way to the cessation of suffering is called "The Noble Eightfold Path", which is one of the fundamentals of Buddhist Greco-Buddhism, is the cultural syncretism between Hellenistic culture and Buddhism, which developed over a period of close to 800 years in the area corresponding to modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan, between the 4th century BCE and the 5th century CE. Greco-Buddhism influenced the artistic (and, possibly, conceptual) development of Buddhism, and in particular Mahayana Buddhism, before it was adopted by Central and Northeastern Asia from the 1st century CE, ultimately spreading to The interaction between Hellenistic Greece and Buddhism started when Alexander the Great conquered South in 326 BC, crossing the Indus and Jhelum rivers, and going as far as the Beas, thus establishing direct contact with India, the birthplace of Buddhism. Alexander founded several cities in his new territories in the areas of the Oxus and Bactria, and Greek settlements further extended to the Khyber Pass, Gandhara and the Punjab. These regions correspond to a unique geographical passageway between the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush mountains, through which most of the interaction between the South and Central Asia took place, generating intense cultural exchange and trade. The i nteraction of Greek and Buddhist cultures operated over several centuries until it ended in the 5th century CE with the invasions of the White Huns, and later the expansion of Islam. Pakistan, the crucible of many cultures and civilizations from the Stone Age to the British Rule, has remains of ancient civilizations scattered all over the country. However, the most popular are the Indus Valley and Gandhara Civilizations. Almost all the major museums of the world has pieces of Gandhara Art exhibited in their galleries. Gandhara, the ancient Peshawar Valley and the cradle of Buddhist Civilizations, gave birth to the famous Gandhara Art, is first mentioned in the Rigveda, and remained one of the provinces of t he Achaemenian Empire as per Darius inscription of the 6th century BC. Pushkalavati (Balahisar – Charsadda), its first capital from 6th century BC till 1st century AD, was invaded in 327 BC by Alexander of Macedonia, ruled by Mauryans, Indo-Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and Kushans who established their capital at Pushpapura or Peshawar in 1st century AD. In 7th century AD, the Shahi Dynasty established the capital at Hund, which remained their capital till the lnvasions of Ghaznavids in 998 AD, thus ending the rule of Gandhara. The sites and antiquities of Takht-e-Bahi, Sahri Bahlol, Jamal Garhi, Rani Gat, Aziz Dheri, Butkara, Saidu Stupa, Andan Dheri, Chat Pat, Dam Kot, Khanpur and the monasteries in the Taxila Valley provided the richest collection of Gandhara Art to the Peshawar, Taxila, Swat, Dir and Peshawar University museums through the excavations by British, Italian and Pakistani scholars. |
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HERITAGE TOURISM
| Chukundi Tombs |
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| Makli (Thatta) |
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| Shah Jehan’s Mosque |
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on Thatta’s outskirts, is representative of Muslim architecture. It was built in 1647 A.D. by the Moghal Emperor Shah Jehan, and is said to have the most elaborate display of blue-and-white tile work in the sub-continent. |
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| Rawat Fort |
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Rohtas Fort |
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| Rohtas Fort is 109 km from Rawalpindi/Islamabad. You have to travel on G.T. Road towards Lahore for 100 km to Dina. The road to Rohtas forks off G.T. Road one kilometer past Dina. The Fort is 8 km away to the right from this turn. It is one of the most impressive historical monuments in Pakistan. It was built on the orders of Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri (1539-45 AD) to serve as a huge fortified base for military operations against Gakkhars. The fort is the symbol of strength and determination of its builder Sher Shah Suri who ruled over South Asia only for six years, 1540-45 A.D., but even during that short period he created many splendours including Rohtas fort and the Great Grand Trunk Road, connecting Kabul with Calcutta. The Fort was later used by Mughal emperor Akbar and the Sikhs. Olaf Caroe described his initial impression of this fort in the following words; "There it stands, sprawling across a low rocky hill a few miles north of Jhelum. Its great ramparts growing from the cliff like the wall of China, looking north a sandy streambed to the low hills of the salt range and beyond them, to the snows of Pir Panjal. The circumference is large enough easily to hold a couple of Divisions of troops. As you approach the fort, the crenellations look like ominous rows of helmeted warriors watching you with disapproval. It is an awe-inspiring sight". The plan of the fort is adapted to suit the terrain and it is defended by a number of deep ravines as well as the river Ghaan, which breaks through the low eastern spur of the Tilla range. Within its huge terraced rampart walls (4 km in circumference) with 68 robust bastions and twelve gates, is located another fortress, palaces and ancillary building. Besides providing strength to the wall, these bastions give a touch of elegance and grandeur to the fort. The wall, usually composed of two or three terraces, varies in thickness at different points, the maximum being 36 feet near the Mon Gate. The terraces are interlinked with each other by way of stair-line and the top most terrace is the line of the merion shaped. The height of the fortification wall ranges from 30 to 40 feet and a considerable number of galleries have been provided in the thickness of the wall for the soldiers and for use as storage space. The wall is built in sand stone coarse rubble masonry laid in lime mortar mixed with granular brick grit. Although built for purely military purposes, yet a few of its twelve gates were exceptionally fine examples of the architecture of that period. The Sohal Gate, guarding the south west wall, is in fair condition even today and it is being used as a rest house. This gate is an example illustrating that how a feature built for strength could also be made architecturally graceful. As it is more than eighty feet in height so it provides a grand entrance to the magnificent fort complex. Every part of its structure has been carried out in broad and simple manner, each line and plane has a sober and massive elegance, while the whole is aesthetically competent. Within the fort a small town has developed and several thousand people live here. |
Indus Valley Civilization |
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The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia and China. Most of its ruins, even its major cities, remain to be excavated. The ancient Indus script has not been deciphered. Many questions about the Indus people who created this highly complex culture remain unanswered, but other aspects of their society can be answered through various types of archaeological studies. The Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak from the 3rd till the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Discovered in 1922, Moenjodaro (in Sindh province) was once a metropolis of great importance, forming part of the Indus Valley Civilization with Harappa (discovered in 1923 in the southern Punjab) , Kot Diji (Sindh) and recently discovered Mehrgarh (Balochistan). Moenjodaro is considered as one of the most spectacular ancient cities of the World. It had mud and baked bricks’ buildings, an elaborate covered drainage system, a large state granary, a spacious pillared hall, a College of Priests, a palace and a citadel. Harappa, another major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, was surrounded by a massive brick wall fortification. Other features and plan of the city were similar to that of Moenjodaro. The Kot Diji culture is marked by well-made pottery and houses built of mud-bricks and stone foundations. Mehrgarh, the oldest Civilization (7,000 B.C), remains of which were found in the district Kachhi of Balochistan recently, was the pioneer of the Indus Valley Civilization. The evidence of crop cultivation, animal husbandry and human settlement have been found here. The inhabitants of Mehrgarh were living in mud-brick houses and learned to make pottery around 6,000 B.C. |
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of Kachi district at the foot of Bolan Pass near Sibi. It is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming (wheat and barley) and herding (cattle, sheep and goats) in south Asia. The site is located on the principal route between Afghanistan and the Indus Valley. Supported by Pakistan's Department of Archaeology, Mehrgarh was discovered and excavations begun by a French team led by Jean-François Jarrige; the site was excavated continuously between 1974 and 1986. The earliest settled portion of Mehrgarh was in an area called MR.3, in the northeast corner of the 495-acre occupation. It is a small farming and pastoral village dated between 7000-5500 BC, with mud brick houses and granaries. The early Mehrgarh residents used local copper ore, basket containers lined with bitumen, and an array of bone tools. They grew six-row barley, einkorn and emmer wheat, jujubes and dates. Sheep, goats and cattle were herded at Mehrgarh beginning during this early period. Mehrgarh people lived in houses and were involved in hunting, domestication of animals and farming cereals like barley and wheat and later cotton too. This hunting-farming society developed gradually and their pursuits were creative. During the early period these people used stone and bone tools i.e. polished stone-axes, flint blades and bone-pointers. By the 6,000 B.C. the hand-made pottery appeared and in 5th millennium B.C. Metallurgy and potter-wheel were introduced and they produced some fine terra-cotta figurine and pottery with geometric designs. Subsequently they produced and wore ornaments of beads, seashells and semi-precious stones like Lapis Lazuli. A museum has been set up at Sibi where a wide range of rare finds from the site of Mehrgarh is on display. Later periods included craft activities such as flint knapping, tanning, and bead production; also, a significant level of metal working. The site was occupied continuously until about 2600 BC, when it was abandoned. The excavations, studied and research have led to pushing back the chronology of civilizations in Pakistan established through the study of Meonjodaro and Harappa by over 4,000 years. Gandhara Civilization Gandhara is the region that now comprise of Peshawarvalley, Mardan, Swat, Dir, Malakand, and Bajuaur agencies in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Taxila in the Punjab, and up to Jalalabad in Afghanistan. It is in this region that the Gandhara civilization emerged and became the cradle of Buddhism. It was from here that Buddhism spread towards east as far away as Japan and Korea. The intriguing record of Gandhara civilization, discovered in the 20th century, are found in the archeological sites spread over Taxila, Swat and other parts of NWFP. The rock carving and the petroglyphs along the ancient Silk Road (Karakoram Highway) also provide fascinating record of the history of Gandhara. Taxila is the abode of many splendid Buddhist establishments. Taxila, the main centre of Gandhara, is over 3,000 years old. Taxila had attracted Alexander the great from Macedonia in 326 BC, with whom the influence of Greek culture came to this part of the world. Taxila later came under the Mauryan dynasty and reached a remarkable matured level of development under the great Ashoka. During the year 2 BC, Buddhism was adopted as the state religion, which flourished and prevailed for over 1,000 years, until the year 10 AD. During this time Taxila, Swat and Charsadda (old Pushkalavati) became three important centers for culture, trade and learning. Hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh, both in The Gandhara civilization was not only the centre of spiritual influence but also the cradle of the world famous Gandhara culture, art and learning. It was from these centers that a unique art of sculpture originated which is known as Gandhara Art all over the world. Today the Gandhara sculptures occupy a prominent place in the museums of England, France, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, China, India and Afghanistan, together with many private collections world over, as well as a vast collection in the museums of Pakistan. Buddhism left a monumental and rich legacy of art and architecture in Pakistan. Despite the vagaries of centuries, the Gandhara region preserved a lot of the heritage in craft and art. Much of this legacy is visible even today in Pakistan. The very earliest examples of Buddhist Art are not iconic but aniconic images and were popular in the Sub-continent even after the death of the Buddha. This is because the Buddha himself did not sanction personal worship or the making of images. As Siddhatha Guatama was a Buddha, a self-perfected, self-enlightened human being, he was a human role model to be followed but not idolized. Of himself he said, 'Buddha's only point the way'. This is why the earliest artistic tributes to the Buddha were abstract symbols indicative of major events and achievements in his last life, and in some cases his previous lives. Some of these early representations of the Buddha include the footprints of the Buddha, which were often created at a place where he was known to have walked. Among the aniconic images, the footprints of the Buddha were found in the Swat valley and, now can be seen in the Swat Museum. When Buddha passed away, His relics (or ashes) were distributed to seven kings who built stupas over them for veneration. The emperor Ashoka was later said to have dug them out, and distributed the ashes over a wider area, and built 84,000 stupas. With the stupas in place, to dedicate veneration, disciples then initiated 'stupa pujas'. With the proliferation of Buddhist stupas, stupa pujas evolved into a ritual act. Harmarajika stupa (Taxila) and Butkarha (Swat) stupa at Jamal Garha were among the earliest stupas of Gandhara. These had been erected on the orders of king Ashoka and contained the real relics of the Buddha. At first, the object of veneration was the stupa itself. In time, this symbol was replaced by a more sensitive human image. The Gandhara schools is probably credited with the first representation of the Buddha in human form, the portrayal of Buddha in his human shape, rather than shown as a symbol. As Buddhist Art developed and spread outside India, the styles developed here were imitated. For example, in China the Gandhara style was i mitated in images made of bronze, with a gradual change in the features of these images. Swat, the land of romance and beauty, is celebrated throughout the world as the holy land of Buddhist learning and piety. Swat acquired fame as a place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Buddhist tradition holds that the Buddha himself came to Swat during his last reincarnation as the Guatama Buddha and preached to the people here. It is said that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred imposing and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There are now more than 400 Buddhist sites covering and area of 160 Km in Swat valley only. Among the important Buddhist excavation in swat an important one is Butkarha-I, containing the original relics of the Buddha. Among the numerous Buddhist monuments present in Pakistan a few important ones, from historical and religious point of view, are: Dharamarajika Stupa Dhararaja, a title of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, in the middle of the 3rd century, erected the Dharamarajika Stupa, the oldest Buddhist monument in Taxila. The Dharamarajika Stupa contained the sacred relics of the Buddha and the silver scroll commemorating the relics. A wealth of gold and silver coins, gems, jewellery and other antiques were discovered here and are housed in the Taxila museum. Takht-i-Bhai: Takht-i-Bhai is another well-known and preserved monument, a Buddhist monastery located on a rocky ridge about 10 miles northeast of Mardan. This structure dates back to two to five century AD and stands 600 feet above the plane. The feature, which distinguishes this site from others, is its architectural diversity and its romantic mountain setting. The uphill approach has helped in the preservation of the monument. The exposed buildings here include the main stupa and two courtyards in different terraces surrounded by votive stupa and shrines, the monastic quadrangles surrounded by cells for the monks, and a large hall of assembly. In one of the stupa courtyard is a line of colossal Buddhas, which were originally 16 to 20 feet high. The site's fragmentary sculptures in stone and stucco are a considerable wealth but its most remarkable feature is the peculiar design and arrangement of the small shrines, which surround the main stupa. These shrines stood upon a continuous sculptured podium and were crowned alternately with stupa-like finials forming an ensemble. The beauty and grandeur provided by the entire composition is unparallel in the Buddhist world. Takht-i-Bhai had a wealth of ancient Buddhist remains. A long range of different sized Buddha and Buddhistavvas from Takht-i-Bhai fill many museums. Some of the best pieces of Gandhara sculpture, now to be found in the museums of Europe, were originally recovered from Takht-i-Bhai. 
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