THE STONE AGE CULTURES OF THE BAJAUR-MOHMAND AREA, PAKISTAN
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Archaeology
Abstract
The present work aims to introduce the cultural heritage of the Bajaur-Mohmand
area in a more scientific way. The area is rich in cultural heritage. All previous
research was confined to the historical archaeology of the area (Rahman, 1996). The
known written history of the Bajaur-Mohmandarea goes back to 4th century B.C. In
327 B.C., Alexander invaded northwestern Indo-Pak subcontinent. Greek historians
provide us with written accounts of Alexander’s military operations in the region
(M’Criadle, 1896; Rahman, 1996). Alexander was followed by successive waves of
foreign invaders from Central Asia, Iran and north-west China (Caroe, 1958).
Afghanistan happened to be a safe passage for these peoples. Besides, we have also
the accounts of foreign travellers and pilgrims who,in pursuit of collecting necessary
information about Buddhism in India, had written about the sacred Buddhist
monuments. Among these foreign invaders, the most notable are Aryans, Indo-
Greeks, Scytho-Parthians, Kushans,Iranians, White Huns, and the Muslim Turks and
the Mughals (Beal, 1884; Caroe, 1958; Puri, 1965; Rahman, 1979; Dani, 1991;
Rahman, 1996). Last ofall came the British to secure the possession of this territory.
A great deal of our cultural heritage is vouchsafed in the historical records, but
archaeology still has role to play, for it is the principal source for reconstructing the
historic past of this region.