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

Butkara 1 Stupa Near Mingora District Swat, KPK, Pakistan

All these photographs are of English commemorative board and ancient Butkara 1 Stupa located in the district of Swat, KPK, Pakistan. English commemoratives board erected by Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reads as below:


"The Buddhist Sacred precinct of Butkara identified as the monastery of Ta-Lo mentioned by Sung Yun (520 A. D) visited and described by the Chinese Buddhis pilgrims of the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries AC lies by the Eastern end of the ancient capital of Udiyana Men-Chich Li present Mingora. The main stupa stands in the middle, around it are crowded Monuments stupas Viharas and columns, on the Northern Side stands a great building and further to the North & West the inhabited area. The great stupa under went fine Reconstruction, each new one incasing the older from 3rd century B. C. Down to 10th century A. D. The other Monuments around have been accordingly Co. Related to the five Building periods as stated above."



Courtesy by Mr. Khurram Saeed Khan Sahib



Sources:

1- Commemorative board

Buddha 's Relic Stupa at Vaisali, Bihar, India

Buddha 's Relic Stupa Vaisali, Bihar, India



All these photographs are of English commemorative stone and Ancient small Buddha 's Relic Stupa located at Vaisali, Bihar, India. This relic stupa was built over the corporeal remains of Buddha. The Mortal remains of Buddha were distributed among eight claimants. This site is one of these eight relic stupas.


English Commemorative Stone Describes the following historical facts :

'Buddha' s Relic Stupa

This is one amongst the eight original relic stupas built over the corporeal remains of Buddha. According to the Buddhist traditions, after attaining Mahaparinirvana. His body was cremated by the Nallas of Kushinagar  with a royal ceremony. Befitting a universal king and the Mortal remains were distributed among eight claimants including the Lichhavis of Vaisali. Seven others were Ajatshatru the King of Magadha, Sakyas of Kapilavastu, Bulis of Alakappa, Koliyas of Ramagram, a Brahman of Bethoweep and Mallas of Pava and Kushinagar.

This was really a small mud stupa measuring 8.07 meters in diameter raised in 5th century B. C. Later during Maurya, Sunga and Kushan periods it was encased with brick and enlarged in four phases which increased the diameter to 12.00 meters. The Ayaka projection noticed towards South and east is probably the earliest example of Ayakapattas.

Excavation of the stupa was conducted by Kashi Prasad Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna in the year 1958. The most remarkable discovery is the relic casket of stone partly filled with ashy earth. Besides a small conch, two glass beads, a fragmentary piece of gold lear and a copper punch marked coin. '



Photographs By Mr. Inderjeet Singh Sahib.



Source:

1 - English commemoratives stone