Exploring the settlement archaeology of the Hindu Shahi dynasty (c. 822 CE to c. 1026 CE) in north-western Pakistan
This thesis investigates the Hindu Shahi dynasty in Lower Dir, Malakand Agency, Swat and Buner Districts (the study region) in north-western Pakistan through systematic landscape survey to gain insights into their activities and political position of the study region. The archaeology of the Hindu Shahi period has received little attention and their knowledge is limited to few partisan historical accounts and understandings of templesâ architecture and excavations of few sites. Previous archaeological research in the study region has brought to light considerable Hindu Shahi evidence, representing their retreat to the region after the fall of the Vale of Peshawar to the Ghaznavids. The present survey resulted in the documentation of 225 Hindu Shahi sites in the study region, comprising a single Hindu temple, two wells and 222 settlement sites (including 140 sites with watchtowers). Most of these sites, with multiple watchtowers, bastions and storage pits, are distinctly visible defensive structures, situated on high altitudes and prominent landscape features, such as hilltops and high slopes. Majority of these sites are linked with inter and intra-valley trade and access routes, major and minor passes and
Khan, Ijaz
Exploring the settlement archaeology of the Hindu Shahi dynasty (c. 822 CE to c. 1026 CE) in north-western Pakistan. This thesis investigates the Hindu Shahi dynasty in Lower Dir, Malakand Agency, Swat and Buner Districts (the study region) in north-western Pakistan through systematic landscape survey to gain insights into their activities and political position of the study region. The archaeology of the Hindu Shahi period has received little attention and their knowledge is limited to few partisan historical accounts and understandings of templesâ architecture and excavations of few sites. Previous archaeological research in the study region has brought to light considerable Hindu Shahi evidence, representing their retreat to the region after the fall of the Vale of Peshawar to the Ghaznavids. The present survey resulted in the documentation of 225 Hindu Shahi sites in the study region, comprising a single Hindu temple, two wells and 222 settlement sites (including 140 sites with watchtowers). Most of these sites, with multiple watchtowers, bastions and storage pits, are distinctly visible defensive structures, situated on high altitudes and prominent landscape features, such as hilltops and high slopes. Majority of these sites are linked with inter and intra-valley trade and access routes, major and minor passes and
exploring settlement archaeology hindu dynasty north_western pakistan investigates hindu dynasty lower agency study region north_western pakistan systematic landscape_survey gain insights activity political position study region archaeology hindu period receive_little_attention knowledge limit partisan historical_account understandings temple architecture excavation_site previous archaeological_study region bring_light considerable hindu evidence represent retreat region fall present survey result documentation hindu sit study region comprise single hindu temple well settlement_site include site site multiple bastion storage pit distinctly visible defensive structure situate high altitude prominent landscape_feature high slope majority sit link inter intra valley trade access route major_minor pass