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Pushkalavati is an ancient site situated in Peshawar valley in Sarhad, Pakistan. It is located on the banks of Swat River, near its junction with Kabul River , now it is known as Charsadda. Puskalavati meaning Lotus City was the capital of ancient kingdom Gandhara from the 6th century BC to 2nd century AD.
The ruins of Pushkalavati consist of many stupas and sites of two old cities.
Bala Hisar
This is the oldest settlement of the Pushkalavati occupied from 6th century BC. Ashoka built a stupa there which was described by Xuan Zang when he visited in 630AD, which is still not found. This site was first time excavated in 1902 by Marshal and than by Mortimer Wheeler in 1958.
Shaikhan Dheri
Bactrain Greek built a new city at this site which lies one kilometre from Bala Hisar on the other side of the branch of River Jinde. This city was occupied by Parthian, Sakas and Kushans. In 2nd AD river changed its course and city was flooded. Town moved to the site of modern village of Rajar.
The city was partly excavated by Ahmad Hasan Dani in 1960’s. There are still many mounds at Mir Ziarat, at Rajar and Shahr-i-Napursan which are still unexcavated.
Pushkalavati & Prayag
The city of Pushkalavati was situated at the confluence of Swat and Kabul rivers. Three different branches of Kabul river meet there. That specific place is still called Prang and considered sacred. The local people still bring their dead for burial. Aryan found similar geographical characteristics at the confluence of Ganges and Jumna and founded sacred city by the name of Pryayag near Benares, which is one of the ancient pilgrim centers of India.
Site Map
- Map of Gandhara archeological sites, from the Huntington Collection, Ohio State University (large file)
- http://www.brad.ac.uk/archsci/depart/resgrp/southasia/charsadda/
"Pushkalavati"