Exploration and Excavation at Kashmir Smast Excavation inside the Great Cave (Campaign 2010/2011)

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1 Gandhāran Studies, vol Exploration and Excavation at Kashmir Smast Excavation inside the Great Cave (Campaign 2010/2011) M. Nasim Khan and Ghayur Shahab Abstract The 2010/2011 campaign to Kashmir Smast was mainly focused on the topographic study of the Great Cave and the monastic complex. Beside the topographic study of the areas, excavations were also conducted inside the Great Cave and inside the water reservoir located near to the spring below the monastic complex. The aim of the excavation inside the Mahāguha (the Great Cave) was to understand the cultural profile of the Cave by studying its antiquities recorded during our excavation in 2010/2011. Previously, based on materials recovered from the surface, the earliest date for the occupation of the Cave was fixed to 2 nd century BC (Nasim Khan, 2006, 133). But during 2010/2011 campaign, although the deposit inside the Cave was generally found disturbed, still, there were observed some intact areas with cultural materials that could help us to better understand the chronology of the Cave. The most important findings in this regard are the numismatic evidence that tells us that the occupation of the Cave was most probably happened somewhere between the 3 rd -11 th centuries AD. The present research, therefore, mainly focuses on the results of the excavations conducted inside the Cave. The remains of Kashmir Smast are situated in the Sakra mountain range, which separates the main Peshawar valley from that of Buner. The most significant of these remains are the monuments of Bakhai and the Great cave an isolated cave located some 1175m above sea level and about 50km northeast of Mardan, one of the main towns in the area 1. Keeping in view the historical and religious significance of the site several different field campaigns have so far been led to the area to study the different aspects of the history of the site 2. The 2010/2011 years campaign was for main aim to study the topography of the monastic complex in front of the Cave and the Great cave itself. For this purpose some modern equipment, such as total station, were used. The other objective of this campaign was to conduct excavation inside the Great Cave. The main purpose of excavation inside the Cave was to understand its cultural profile and to know about the present internal landscape of the 1 On more details see Nasim Khan, 2001, 2006 and Nasim Khan et al, In this regard see Nasim Khan, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008 and Great cave and how it used be before its occupation. The Cave can be approached by more than one hundred steps varying in size: height, width and length. The last step in the entrance of the cave is situated at an altitude of 1175m above sea level. The length of these steps reaches approximately to 80m. The general layout of the steps gives a zigzag shape and can be divided in to four main parts based on sharp turns at the end of each part or on the basis of visibility to eye sight. The topographic study inside the Great Cave has showed mainly three main chambers which are separated from each other due to two turns. The internal total length of the Cave reaches to about 185m (Fig.1) while the landscape inside the Cave ascends from the entrance to the end of the Cave for about 48.76m. Excavation inside the Great Cave Excavation at Kashmir Smast was started on the 25 th of December 2010 and was

2 Gandhāran Studies, vol continued till 26 th of March Three different areas or Zones A-C were selected for excavation, each one with different objectives. The trench laid in Zone A was situated in the first chamber and in the entrance of the Cave. Excavation at Zone B was in the second chamber and was mainly focused on the staircase while activities in Zone C, located in the rear chamber of the cave, were limited to the documentation and excavation of the small shrine. Zone A/ First Chamber Before starting excavation, the interior of the Cave was surveyed and was divided into different grids, each one of 5x5m (Figs.8,9). A trench measuring 11.1x3.2m, in northsouth orientation, was laid in grids G34 and 35, H34-37 and I34-37 (Fig.8). The total depth of the excavation before reaching to the virgin soil or to the floor level was 3.4m from the surface (Figs.4,5). In total four layers were exposed. The nature of the soil was found wet and the colour was from light brown to grey. As this was mostly a disturbed area, therefore, the soil was found loose resulted from illegal diggings. Charcoal, lime fragments, dressed and undressed stone blocks that might have been fallen from the nearby steps and walls were also encountered. Layer 1: It was of a light brown and hard texture containing small chips of stones, tiny fragments of pottery and pieces of terracotta oil lamps as well as few empty shells of rifle bullets. Layer 2: Below Layer 1, a loose filling was observed which was covering half of the trench. The colour was dark brown and was of loose texture. Layer 3: This was a thin layer of compact dark grey clay with inclusion of tiny pieces of pottery and charcoal. Layer 4: It was a thin layer of wet dark grey clay. After this layer a floor level of stone slabs and a fire place with pieces of charcoal was found. Almost in the centre of room B a small trial trench of 1x1m was opened to know about the nature of the deposit below the floor level (Fig.4). After removing some slabs of the floor, the sign of natural compact soil become visible. From the nature of the materials it was clear that it was used for levelling the uneven surface of the ground. After 40cm of digging we reached to the rocky bed of the Cave. Another trial trench of 60x40cm was laid in the northern side of the central hall. The idea was to study the deposit below the floor level. We also wanted to know about the damages which might have been caused by a huge boulder found in this structure (Figs.4,7) 3. The Cave bed was found after 20cm of digging and the deposit was consisting of tiny stones and sands. The stone slabs of the floor underneath the boulder were found smashed and broken; the boulder seems eroded or fallen, in a later period, from the side wall of the cave. Structures In this area, at least three rooms were exposed during excavation (Fig.10). Among these rooms, Room A and Room B are almost square in shape while Room C is rectangular in form. All these are made of diaper masonry. These three rooms are interconnected with each others. Local people called it Dukanona (shops). According to them an access was also provided in the shape of small steps, which were connected to the main steps of the Cave that reached to the small shrine located in the last chamber. Room A: Room A is located to the north side of the exposed structures in grids H34, H35 and I34, I35 area of the Cave. It is almost square in shape measuring 3.2x2.8m. The foundations of the eastern, northern and western walls are intact to some extent, while the southern wall of the room has been demolished by the robbers and presently only traces of it can be seen. The outer 3 On this issue see Nasim Khan, 2006, 42.

3 Gandhāran Studies, vol surfaces of the eastern and northern walls are yet to be exposed. The width of the western wall of this room is 1m and the height is 0.8m. The northern wall is damaged and presently its western side is about 1.2m and the eastern one is 2m high from the floor level. The height of the eastern wall is 1.5m and its length is 2.8m. Few blocks of stones of the southern wall are visible in the floor of the room, which shows that Room A can be approached only from the southeastern corner through Room C. Traces of the southern wall in the eastern wall also show that an entrance was provided to this room from the south-eastern corner and not in the middle of the wall. The floor of this room is made of large size stone slabs of various sizes and shapes (e.g., Fig.11). These slabs were placed in a way that the joints between two slabs could not be felt. It seems that no joint material was used between the slabs. The maximum size of a slab is 60.9cm and the minimum is 22cm. At the base of the eastern wall about 1.2m from the north-eastern corner (I34 area) sign of charcoal and white ashes were found which suggest the presence of a fire place at this area of the room. Room B : Room B is equally square in shape and measures 3.2x3.1m. Entrance to the room is provided through the northwestern corner. The width of the western wall is 1m while the other three walls are 0.7m each. This is the only structure which provides an access to the main steps or staircase of the Cave. Hall: The hall is almost rectangular in shape measuring 3.8x3.2m. It is accessible from Room B which itself give access to Room A. It means that the hall has two doorways one to Room A and the second is to Room B. The foundations of the eastern and western walls are intact and are made of diaper masonry where stone blocks and small stone slabs are visible. The northern and southern walls are damaged and only traces of it can be found. The height of the eastern wall is 2.1m and the western wall is of 0.46m. The floor is made of irregular stone slabs fixed in the same manner as we have observed in Room A. On the floor level, signs of a fireplace close to the eastern wall were also found. Zone B Zone B is located in the central part of the Cave in D15-17 and E17 grids (Figs.8,12). During excavation and clearing of the staircase inside the cave, the most challenging task was to work in this zone due to extreme darkness. This chamber is the darkest one of the Cave where one cannot move without having proper arrangement of any search light. Moreover the ceiling of the Cave in this area is fully covered with bats faeces the smell of which does not allow one to stay here only for a while. For this reason a massive amount of trees branches and wild grass was collected to make a fire for repelling or keeping away the bats. This also help us to have sufficient light, beside using generators, to excavate at that particular area. By excavating in this particular area we had two objectives; first to clear the steps that lead to the small shrine and to get any idea about the method of its construction. The second purpose was to make it clear for a topographic study. The visible structures of the steps were cleared from debris and bats faeces. Then a trench was laid in the eastern side of the staircase. The total thickness of the deposit at this area was of 0.5m. Stone blocks and slabs, potsherds and oil lamps were found in the deposit. Two layers were observed during excavation. Layer 1: This was a soft humus layer of thin brown deposit and a mixture of fallen stones, terracotta oil lamps and potsherds. Other cultural material includes an iron arrow head. Layer 2: It was of a thin and compact deposit of clay with inclusion of stone chips in dark brownish colour. Potsherds and charcoal were found in mass number. The virgin soil was a rocky-bed of the Cave.

4 Gandhāran Studies, vol Structures of Zone B Remains of a staircase were found in grids D15-16 and E17. The present width of the staircase measures about 2.5m, while the length of its eastern wall is 12.5m. The western wall is 11.2m in length; both are in north-south direction. These walls are made of rubble masonry. The staircase which was once starting at the entrance of the cave and was reaching to the small shrine (Fig.15) is presently, due to clandestine excavations, in a very bad state of preservation. A few decades earlier, the staircase could have been somehow preserved but presently only signs of it can be observed. At the end of this chamber, traces of it were also noticed; it is almost covered with a thick coat of bats faeces and measures about 30cm. Zone C Zone C is located in the rear portion in I9, J9, I10 and J10 grids of the Cave (Figs. 8, 9, 15). Excavation was conducted inside and outside the shrine, the only visible monument of this portion of the Cave. This could be either a sun temple (Nasim Khan, 2006, 219) or a Hindu shrine with a small size mandapa (Fig.16). The purpose of our excavation here was to know the original layout of the shrine (Figs.15,16). Mizuno, who visited the site in 1959 (Mizuzo, 1962), mentioned that the shrine was square in shape measuring 3.8m each side. But during our field work it was found incomplete on its eastern side. To understand its actual plan our main excavation area was on the eastern side of the shrine. The second purpose was to find the natural bed of the Cave. For this purpose we dug into two trenches, outside and inside of the shrine. Trench 1 This was a 2x1m trench where total depth of the deposit was of 80cm. The deposit was mainly consisting of soft clay, stone blocks and slabs. Pieces of ceramics and oil lamps were not observed here. Two layers were noticed here without any significant change in their texture and composition. Layer 1: This was of light grey soft soil containing stones and other mixed debris. No cultural materials were observed here. Layer 2: Below Layer 1, a loose deposit was observed covering the remaining trench. The colour and texture was of dark grey colour. Trench 2 This was also a 2x1m trench but was laid inside the shrine. The purpose of excavating in this area was to find traces of the wall s extension if there was any. Excavation reached to a depth of 50cm where a natural rock bed of the Cave was found. The deposit consisted of stones and pieces of mud and lime plaster. No other cultural material was found. Two layers were observed here. Layer 1: The top layer was light brown colour mainly consisted of stone chips and soft soil. It was 15cm thick deposit. Layer 2: This was a dark brown compact layer, bearing small chips of stones and tiny fragments of charcoal; although no fire place was found here. The thickness of this layer reached to about 35cm. Structures of Zone C The only visible structure of Zone C is a small shrine situated at the highest point in the third chamber of the Cave. It is located in I9,10 and J9,10 area of the Cave. The structure is constructed on a platform which itself is directly built on a rocky bed. The structure of the shrine is of a rubble masonry made of stone slabs and chips; mud is used as a joint agent. The shrine is constructed on a high square podium measuring 6.7x6.7m (Fig.15) which is partially damaged. Only 2m portion of the northern wall of the podium is intact while nothing is survived of the eastern side of the podium, except stone blocks scattered on the ground. Most part of the western wall is intact and only 1m of it is missing. In regards to the southern wall of the platform, only 2.4m area is intact.

5 Gandhāran Studies, vol Enlightened by a natural light through a roof window, probably natural, the shrine opens to the east. The present length of the northern wall of the shrine is 3.55m on its outer side, 2.75m of its inner side and is thick for 0.8m. Its eastern wall is missing. Only 1.3m of the outside portion and 0.5m inside portion of the southern wall is presently visible. The remaining part is missing except the foundation. Traces of lime plaster on the inner surface of this wall were found. The only wall which is almost intact is the western side wall. Its length is 2.28m inside and 3.88m outside; the width is 0.8m. A small trapezoidal niche is provided at the centre of the wall. Squinches are provided to each corner to support the dome, which is missing but on the outside cornice with brackets is still preserved. The present height of the structure is about 4m. Findings During excavations, two inscriptions written in Gupta characters of the northern style and more than 40 coins belonging to different dynasties have been recorded. Potsherds were found in large number representing different objects. Inscriptions: The two inscriptions written in Gupta Brāhmī, the only ones recovered during this excavation campaign, were found during clearing of the steps close to the entrance of the Cave. Both these inscriptions are engraved on two separate large sizes blocks of stones. These blocks were found fixed into the right side wall of the staircase. One of these inscriptions reads dharmadatasya which means of Dharmadata or belong to Dharmadata (Fig.17). The other one reads oṃ ṣira(or va) vi[ṣṇu]va[sya] meaning salutation to Ṣiraviṣṇuva. The letters are obliterated and the proposed reading for some of the letters is not certain. The second letter could be a mistake for Śrī (Fig.18). Coins: Among the many antiquities so far recovered from Kashmir Smast, one of the most important among these is the numismatic evidence. They belong to different periods starting at least from the early Kushan time up to the Islamic period. The most significant, among the coins, are the bronze specimens of the Hun period, most of these are previously unknown types, and the new varieties in the Islamic period of coins. The recent excavation at Kashmir not only re-confirms the presence of these mentioned dynasties in the area of Kashmir Smast but it is for the first time that both new varieties of the Hun period as well as the early Islamic period coins were recorded at Kashmir Smast. The coins found during our excavation in 2010/2011 are grouped under different headings keeping in view their dynastic affiliations. Majority of these coins belong to the Kushan, Kushano- Sasanian and Hindu Shahi periods. The presence of these coins shows that at least from the time of the Kushan period, the cave rested occupied and remained a great centre of pilgrimage for different cultures, faiths and group of peoples.

6 Gandhāran Studies, vol Kushan Period Vasu Deva I Reg. No. 84 Obv: King standing front sacrificing on altar in the left field and holding a scepter in his right. Trident of the fire altar is visible. Rev: Śiva reclining on a bull standing left. Vasu Deva II Reg. No.31 Obv: King standing front sacrificing on altar in the left field and holding a scepter in his right. Rev: Śiva reclining on a bull standing left. Kaṇiṣka II Reg. No.50 Obv: King standing sacrificing on altar. Rev: Seated Ardokṣo Kuṣano-Sasanian Period Reg. No. 24 Obv: Probably Shahpur II facing right Rev: Unclear Reg. No. 67 Defaced and unclear Hun Period Reg. No.89 (Ref.: Nasim Khan, et al, 2008, , ) Obv: Profile bust facing right. Spear in front. Rev: Brāhmī letter ka between two fire altars with wedge-shaped flames. Reg. No.57 (Ref.: Nasim Khan, et al 2008, , ) Obv: Linear image of lion standing right, as on Hindu Shahi coins. Rev: A vertical shaft with a diamond-shaped top flanked by two semi-circles, one on each side.

7 Gandhāran Studies, vol Islamic Coins, Pre-Hindu Shahi Period Reg. No.72 (Ref.: Nasim Khan, et al, 2008, 204, ) Obv: Profile bust (3/4) facing right. Big fleshy nose, large mouth with protruding lips and wrinkled throat. Rev: Circle with a dot in its centre; may be a simplified form of moon and crescent. Reg. No.28 (Ref.: Nasim Khan, et al, 2008, 205, ) Obv: Probably a leaf-shaped design in outline. It could also be a lion (Ref.: Nasim Khan, et al 2008, 206, ) Rev: Most probably crescent and a star Hindu Shahi Period Reg. No.74 Obv: Elephant walking to the left. In the upper margin legend in Śarāda characters: Śri Vakka Deva Rev: Lion standing right Reg. No. 35 Obv: Elephant walking to the left. In the upper margin legend in Śarāda characters: Śri Samanta Deva Rev: Lion standing right Reg. No. 34 Obv: Elephant walking to the left. In the upper margin legend in Śarāda characters: Śri Samanta Deva Rev: Lion standing right Reg. No.40 Obv: Elephant walking to the left. In the upper margin legend in Śarāda characters: Śri Samanta Deva Rev: Lion standing right Islamic Coin Ahmad Debased silver coin of the same type as those of the Amīrs of Sind; probable date is AD Reg. No.73 (Ref.: Goron & Goenka, 2001, xxiii, AS10) Obv: lā ilah illā allāh wahadau lā sharīk lahu Rev: Muhammad rasūl

8 Gandhāran Studies, vol Ceramics (Figs.19-29): During excavation a huge mass of potsherds were recovered in which, after proper classification, a very limited number remains for our interest. The present bulk of collection comprises of fragmentary and mutilated parts of bodies. The medium of ceramics is mainly terracotta. The entire collection is classified on the basis of typology. Storage vessels, pitcher rims, bowls, goblet-on-stand, miniature pedestalled-vase, perforated lug, spouts and the most remarkable are the mud oil lamps of various sizes which are noticed in large number. Classification Storage Vessels, Type. A: In this group of ceramics only one example is encountered. It is a thick coarse rim of a storage vessel decorated externally. Pitcher Rims, Type. B: In this category only two rims of pitchers are found which are in broken condition. Bowls, Type. C: A number of bowls were found in damaged condition; mostly they are in medium sizes. These are further subdivided in two different groups for analysis. The first type of bowls has flat bases and internally grooved sides while the second type has flat bases and plain sides. The first grope of bowls can be compared to the third period of Damkot (Rahman, , 236). Dishes, Type. D: Only one stratified sherd. Goblet-on-stand, Type E: One rare specimen which s upper and lower body is missing has solid stem decorated with collared band in the middle. Bowl-on-stand, Type F: One sample in broken condition. It has perforated stem and a small pedestal. Perforated Lug, Type G: Only one example was found during surface collection inside the Great Cave. Spouts, Type H: Spouts of type D are four in number respectively from large to small sizes. All these are also in broken condition. Oil lamps, Type I: Terracotta oil lamps are found in great number inside the Cave. Their shapes and sizes are different from each other but generally they represent the same design. Description 1. Pitcher: With externally thickened simple rim, and well fired (Fig.19.1). 2. Pitcher: It has straight neck and externally flanged rim (Fig.19.2). 3. Storage vessel: Heavy thick coarse rim and gritty profile not properly oxidized; decorated with rope design externally below the nick (Fig.19.3). 4. Bowl: Gray wear bowl has a ring base and thin fabric with fine surface treatment. It is a stratified pot (Fig.20.1).

9 Gandhāran Studies, vol Dish: With incurved sides and fine fabric (Fig.20.2). 6. Bowl: Bowl with ring base of ordinary variety, internally and externally grooved sides and coarse surface (Fig.20.3). 7. Bowl: Similar to No. 6 but having flat surface (Fig.21.1). 8. Bowl: With ring base and thick fabric. Internally and externally grooved sides (Fig.21.2). 9. Bowl: With ring base and thick fabric. It has coarse surface and grooved side internally and externally (Fig.21.3). 10. Bowl: Ring base with thick fabric and internally grooved surface (Fig.22.1). 11. Bowl: Ring base with thick fabric and both sides are grooved and coarse surface (Fig.22.2). 12. Bowl: Similar to No. 10 (Fig.22.3). 13. Bowl: Flat base with thin coarse surface and both sides are grooved (Fig. 23.1). 14. Bowl: Ring base with coarse surface (Fig.23.2). 15. Bowl: Ring base with internally open plinth and ill fired (Fig.23.3). 16. Bowl: Coarse and grooved surface at both sides, with ring base (Fig.24.1). 17. Bowl: Thick, coarse and grooved surface on both sides, with ring base (Fig.24.2). 18. Bowl: Similar to No. 17 but larger in size (Fig.24.3). 19. Oil lamp: With thin coarse fabric and in broken from the sides (Fig.25.1). 20. Oil lamp: With flat surface and broken from the sides. Sign of utilization are visible on this lamp (Fig.25.2). 21. Oil lamp: Coarse fabric and broken from the sides (Fig.26.1). 22. Oil lamp: Coarse fabric and signs of utilization are visible (Fig.26.2). 23. Oil lamp: Complete and flat lamp with thin texture (Fig.26.3). 24. Oil lamp: Ill fired crude shape and broken condition (Fig.26.4). 25. Oil lamp: Coarse fabric and broken from the sides (Fig.27.1). 26. Oil lamp: Small lamp with flat thin surface (Fig.27.2). 27. Oil lamp: Similar No. 26 (Fig.27.3). 28. Oil lamp: With crude shape and thick fabric (Fig.27.4). 29. Spouts: Plain, with elliptical out let and out turned rim notched at the top. The stem of the spout at the middle is decorated with two engraved parallel bands (Fig.25.3). 30. Spout: Simple, have no design and curved in the middle ((Fig.25.4). 31. Spout: Similar, No. 21 but straight (Fig.25.5). 32. Bowl-on-stand: With externally projected rim and hollow-pedestal base (Fig.25.6). 33. Goblet-on-stand: With hollow-pedestal base one specimen which s upper and lower body is missing it has solid stem which is decorated with collared band in the middle (Fig.28.1). 34. Lid: Small round lid in broken condition (Fig.28.2). 35. Perforated Lug: Finely made and slipped and decorated with double black painted lines (Fig.28.3). 36. Lid: Solid lid in broken having flat top and round shape (Fig.28.4). 37. Body Sherd: Small body sherd decorated with lines and stamped with dotted circles below neck (Fig.28.5). 38. Body Sherd: Simple sherd decorated with two parallel lines in the middle (Fig.29.1). 39. Body Sherd: Decorated below the neck with slanting lines followed by three parallel and two wavy lines. The lower portion is designed by more two parallel lines (Fig.28.2).

10 Gandhāran Studies, vol Conclusion Inscriptions, coins and ceramics found during exploration and excavations at Kashmir Smast are the remarkable evidences that could help us to reconstruct the cultural profile inside the Cave. The two Brāhmī inscriptions, written in Gupta characters in northern style, recovered from the staircase leading to the Great Cave are engraved on two large size stone blocks most probably used during construction of the stair case. If it was the case it would means that the staircase was most probably constructed during 3 rd -5 th centuries AD. The presence of these epigraphic evidences also suggests that the two names, Dharmadatta and Ṣiraviṣṇu, mentioned in the inscriptions and are in genitive case, could be responsible for the construction of the staircase. On the basis of available numismatic evidence found inside as well as outside the cave, it is possible that the date for the cultural profile of the Cave could be placed somewhere between 3 rd -11 th centuries AD or even to a later period contrary to that suggested by one of the present author in 2006 (Nasim Khan, 2006, 133). As far as ceramics from inside the Cave are concerned, it is hard to rely on these materials without any scientific analysis and use as a sure criteria for understanding the cultural profile of the site but, on the basis of comparison with ceramics from other well documented sites such as Damkot, Aziz Dheri and Shaikhan Dheri, they shows close resemblance in technique, designs, styles and shape with each other.

11 Gandhāran Studies, vol References Goron, S. and Goenka, J.P (2001). The Coins of the Indian Sultanates. Covering the area of present-day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. New Dehli. Mizuno, S. (1962). Haibak and Kashmir Smast (Buddhist caves-temples in Afghanistan and Pakistan, surveyed in 1960). Kyoto University. Nasim Khan, M. (2000). A Gupta Copper Plate Inscription from Sita Maha Kandara (Kashmir Smast). Indo-kokokenkyu- Indian Archaeological Studies, 21, Nasim Khan, M. (2001a). Re-interpretation of the Copper Plate Inscription and the Discovery of More Epigraphic Specimens from Kashmir Smast. Ancient Pakistan, XIV, 1-8. Nasim Khan, M. (2001b). Exploration and Excavation of the Earliest Śivaite Monastic Establishment at Kashmir Smast (A Preliminary Report). Ancient Pakistan. XIV, Nasim Khan, M. (2003a). Lajjā Gaurī Seals and Related Antiquities from Kashmir Smast. South Asian Studies. 18, Nasim Khan, M. (2003b). Kashmir Smast. Discovery of the Earliest Śivaite Monastic Establishment in Pakistan. Circle of Inner Asian Art (CIAA), 8, Nasim Khan, M. & Sohail Khan, M. (2003). Some More Lajjā Gaurī Seals and Related Antiquities from Kashmir Smast-Gandhara. The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, XI (1&2), Nasim Khan, M. (2005). Kashmir Smast (Gandhara) and its Religious Significance. Study Based on Epigraphic and other Antiquities from the Site. South Asian Archaeology Proceeding of the Seventeenth International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists (7-12 July 2003, Bonn), (edited by Ute Franke- Vogt and Hans-Joachim Weisshaar), Nasim Khan, M. (2006). Treasures From Kashmir Smast (The Earliest Śaiva Monastic Establishment). Peshawar. Nasim Khan, M., Errington, E., & Cribb, J. (2008). Coins from Kashmir Smast New Numismatic Evidence. Peshawar. Nasim Khan, M. (2009). Painted Inscriptions from Kashmir Smast. Study and Analysis. Gandhāran Studies, 3, Nasim Khan, M. (2010). Seals and sealings from Kashmir Smast and its surroundings areas. Gandhāran Studies, 4, Nasim Khan, M. (2011). Hydrological Setup at Kashmir - Exploration and Excavation at Kashmir Smast, Field Campaign 2006/ A Preliminary Report. Gandhāran Studies, 5, Rahman, A. ( ). Excavation at Damkot. Ancient Pakistan, IV,

12 Gandhāran Studies, vol Fig. 1. Elevation of the Cave Fig. 2. Chamber 1; view from the south-west Fig. 3. Chamber 1; view from the interior of the cave

13 Gandhāran Studies, vol Fig. 4. Zone A ; view from the north Fig. 5. Eastern wall Fig. 6. Eastern wall Fig. 7. Eastern wall

14 Gandhāran Studies, vol Fig. 8. Layout and grids of the Cave Fig. 9. Reconstruction of the staircase Fig. 10. Excavated areas of Zone A Fig. 11. Drawing of floor Slabs

15 Gandhāran Studies, vol Fig. 12. Northern wall (Zone A) Fig. 13. Eastern wall (Zone A) Fig. 14. Zone B ; remaining part of the staircase Fig. 15. (Platform of the shrine) Fig. 16. Plan of the shrine Fig. 17. Brāhmī inscription Fig. 18. Brāhmī inscription

16 Gandhāran Studies, vol Fig. 19. Pitchers and jar Fig. 20. Bowls and dish Fig. 21. Bowls Fig. 22. Bowls Fig. 23. Bowls Fig. 24. Bowls

17 Gandhāran Studies, vol Fig. 25. Oil lamps, spouts and bowl on stand Fig. 26. Oil lamps Fig. 28. Goblet on stand, lid, lug and body sherd Fig. 27. Oil lamps Fig. 29. Body sherd