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- Title
The Discovery of Rock-cut Sanctuary at Khoiratta, District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
- Authors
Khan, M. Ashraf; Khan, Sundus Aslam
- Abstract
Taxila institute of Asian Civilizations, Qauid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, undertook an archaeological survey regarding explorations and documentation of sites and monuments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in year 2012. The survey yields a great number of numerous archaeological sites spanning prehistoric to historic period. In the consequence, two rock-cut sites appeared on the heritage map of Kashmir. This paper will focus only on the site located in village Khoiratta of District Kotli. The site is the specimen of rock-architecture, which has been noticed earlier all over the globe and sparsely scattered in the South Asia specifically in India. The rock-cut sanctuary has been deeply hewnout into a living rock by making internal chambers for cult purposes. The site is distinctive in architectural volume. This type of sanctuaries have been made isolated in mountainous regions near water along the ancient routes, primarily for accruing deep concentration towards religious activities and to have approachable by worshippers. The study shows that this sanctuary was made during c. 8th to 10th centuries. It has Gandharan and native Kashmiri architectural elements. Besides the difference in style and chronology, the monument is huge discovery which defines the historic value of the region.
- Subjects
INDIA; ROCK-cut architecture; ROCK-cut dwellings; ARCHAEOLOGICAL surveying; ARCHAEOLOGICAL excavations; MONUMENTS
- Publication
Journal of Asian Civilizations, 2014, Vol 37, Issue 2, p1
- ISSN
1993-4696
- Publication type
Article