Baili, the unexplored historic site

Anil Paba

The State of Jammu and Kashmir is studded with a number of ancient sites/ monuments of various types that bear testimony to our rich cultural heritage. Unfortunately, these monuments are often seen in a dilapidated condition. However what is dismaying is the fact that the department of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as well as State Archaeology department could not explore/protect all these, may be, due to their various limitations. But at the same time the efforts should be made to protect those which have a bearing on the history, culture and civilization of the region.
It is disgusting that one of the ancient sites in Udhampur has been destroyed due to the apathy of ASI, state Government, district administration as well as local people. This important site of district Udhampur viz; Baili is situated some 11K.M North-West of Udhampur city and just 2K.M ahead of popularly known archaeological site Kirmachi. This archaeological site was discovered by the author about two decades ago. The same has been highlighted through this paper in the year 2001and also papers were presented in many universities as well. I also approached to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and submitted memorandum to district administration, even knocked the door of locals to save the important site. But nobody takes pains to even visit this ancient site with the result the same has been destroyed by the locals as well as by the Government itself. Some time back there were rumours of establishing a University campus in the said site. Soon after some locals sold the land to the builders and even the mound of ancient period was rampaged continuously for land cultivation It is pity, that in some area of this ancient site, the Government is going to establish a ” Nursing Training Centre” after destroying the ancient mounds. At present, only the remains of one of the oldest temples of Udhampur exist there. The temple is made of chiseled stone without use of any mortar to cement it together. This ancient temple is totally at the verge of extinction, if not restored to its original condition. One is surprised to see that most of the chiseled bricks of this ancient temple of Bali have been taken away by the locals and many of the chiseled stones of temple scattered in the vicinity of the temple. The main features of this site is that we found stone tools of Paleolithic and Neolithic period including other artifacts of ancient period like: chert, hair pin, graftee mark, pieces of bangles and shells. Besides different kind of pottery, terra-cotta figurines, iron slage, shelling stone, weighing stone, semi precious stone, grinding stone, okhalies and coins etc; were also found. Finding of these materials tell the nature of work in earlier times and depicts the socio-economic condition of the inhabitants of this area, who maintained cultural continuity. Such types of multi-cultural sites have also been found in other parts of India. . But in the Jammu region we have only one ancient site i.e Harappan site, Manda across the river Chenab before this ancient site.
Most interestingly, we found some of the ancient caves in the vicinity of this site which also confirm the possibility of earlier man in this region. Since the mountainous , Jammu region represent a typical habitat for the primitive man and has a dense flora and fauna, the atmosphere of the region is also conducive for the subsistence and sustenance. Moreover, the terrace surface of the rivers yielding stone tools and early man had occupied this terrace throughout the Jammu foothills.
All these archaeological findings of this ancient site reveal that Kirmachi temple complex was on trade route, and was utilized as a rest house or halting station by the traders. Whereas Baili, which was an important centre of trade and had settled population for a long period. The findings of the stone tools from the Baili area besides show the culture continuity and contact of Baili area with other parts of India in Neolithic period.
Every year we celebrate 18th April as ” International Monuments and Sites day”and 19th of November to 25th of November as “World Heritage Week”.Mostly, it is celebrated to make people aware about the importance of cultural heritages and its preservation. To live the ancient culture and tradition it is very necessary to protect and preserve the variety of priceless cultural heritage and historical monuments. Do we celebrate the ” World Heritage Week” or ” World Heritage Day” for the purpose for which it meant? If, not then who will save our national wealth which is lying here and there in the form of heritage Is still a matter of concern?
Ancient sites, monuments and other historical temples etc are the most precious cultural heritage bequeathed to us. It’s our moral duty to find a solution to the several problems that confront us so that we can save this priceless material for the posterity. For this, what we need is impassionate zeal, missionary spirit and sincere and honest effort to meet the problems only then we can usher in a new area in the sphere of protecting and preserving this valuable assets.
Lastly, I appeal to all arts lovers as well as to the district administration and concerned authorities to save at least the remaining structure of one ancient temple of this site as it is our National wealth.

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