UCCHA PIND: Sanghol, an excavation site reputed to be the cradle of the Buddhist civilization from the first “remains grossly neglected, Bureaucratic wrangling over the handing over of the site to the archaeological Survey of India is reported to be the reason for this neglect. ‘The archaeological department of the Punjab government had stopped the excavations in 1989 because of lack of funds, lack of skilled manpower and 4 host of other problems, Many other excavation sites in the state had been for almost two decades, Besides, the AST had been taken to take over the site In 1985, the discovery of sculptures, pillars and cross-bars close & Buddhist stupa put Sanghol on the world are archaeological map. Coins and scales had been discovered at the site as early as 1934, a systematic excavation was, however, under ken here by the state archaeology experiment only in 1968 the finds of 1985 led the ASI to undertake joint excavations till 1989. But no excavations have been carried out after 1989 and finds like fire altars (hawankunds) and stupas remain neglected and unpreserved.

The bricks used in stupas and other buildings during the Kushan period were removed by villagers and used the construction of houses before the site caught the attention of the archaeologists, However, now, whenever a house is demolished in the village, the old bricks are used for conserving the stupas, The villagers have been asked not to dig foundations for new houses without informing the archaeology department lest some historic find is destroyed.

Archaeological evidence indicates that Sanghol was divided into a fortified citadel and an open township during the Kushan period. The area to the east and north-east was inhabited during the Gupta period, The Buddhist stupas, monasteries and residential complexes during the Kushan period, were in the peripheral area.

The eminent Chinese traveler, Hsicun Tsang, had visited Sanghol and had mentioned the presence of stupas at 10 different sites. The excavations, however, have revealed stupas ‘only at two sites. An archaeological official said that other semi-exposed religious edifices, if excavated, could have great archaeological significance.

The takeover of the Sanghol site by the ASI has generated renewed interest among scholars. Its felt that further excavations would give greater insight to Sanghol’s glorious past. Besides, the AST is better equipped to conserve the discoveries.

Since the controversy of taking over the site continues, the site, as of now, is nobody’s responsibility. The protective glass over the central ‘area of the stupa, which contains relics of a Buddhist monk, is broken and no one has bothered to replace it.

The excavation of rare sculptures in red stone, along with pottery, seals, and other artifacts discovered during the restoration are preserved at a museum near the site.

Sources say that grants for the preservation of this Buddhist site from countries like Japan have lapsed as senior officials in the archaeology department have evinced no interest.

The museum concerned is understaffed and not adequately protected. This is despite the fact that when three of its sculptures were taken 10 different festivals abroad, they were reportedly insured for Rs 3 crore, however, there is not a single armed guard posted at the museum.

The importance of these sculptures can be gauged by the fact that a commemorative stamp was issued on the Sanghol sculptures in 1987 during the India festival, however, these priceless finds are not even kept under a glass cover and curious visitors often touch them, affecting their luster.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 8, 1994