Ancient Buddhist Stupa of Ban Faqiran Islamabad

These are photographs of English/Urdu Commemorative boards and ancient time Buddhist Stupa located at Ban Faqiran Islamabad, Pakistan. Its period of construction is 2nd to 5th century A. D. Bilingual Commemorative board erected by Department of Archeology and Museums National History and Literary Heritage Division Government of Pakistan provides this historical information about this Buddhist stupa:


"Buddhist Stupa of Ban Faqiran Islamabad

The given name 'Ban Faqiran' is derived from local Vernacular, "Ban" (Reservoir) and "Faqiran" (saints). Ban Faqiran stands for a Reservoir dedicated to saints. The Archeological site locally known as Ban Faqiran is situated in the west of Islamabad, with an average height of 850 meters from sea level, about 2 km in the southwest of Shah Allah Ditta caves, District Islamabad. Remains of the world Heritage site ; Giri stupa, and Dharmarajika stupa are located in the North West of mosque and water Reservoir, at the distance of about 2 to 3 kilometers. Ban Faqiran stupa along with a long staircase, covering an area of 10.75×26.20 meters(including staircase measuring 16.20×2.60 meters). Presently Ban Faqiran Buddhist stupa is the largest one, historical Buddhist Monument discovered in Islamabad. Limestone masonry of square stupa and rectangular staircase is semi-ashlar and diaper. Besides the huge structural remains of Buddhist stupa, variety of numismatic, pot shards, arrow heads have been discovered. Coins belonging to 1st century B. C to 1963 and presently displayed in Islamabad Museum(G-5/1 Attaturk Avenue Islamabad).

Warning: Under Antiquity Act 1975, under sub section (1) of Section 10, these remains have been protected, therefore any damage, caused to these remains will be treated under the same act, section 19 and offence is punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of three years or fine or with both.
Phone: 0519252516, Fax: 0519252359.
Department of Archeology and Museums Islamabad National History and Literary Heritage Division."


Courtesy by Immi Gul Sahib


Sources:

1- Commemorative boards