The large-scale excavation at Zehanpora in Baramulla has opened a remarkable and unexpected chapter in Kashmir’s civilisational history. The discovery of a Kushan-era Buddhist complex-comprising a stupa, structural walls, pottery and copper artefacts-is far from an ordinary archaeological finding. It is, in fact, a revelation that challenges long-held assumptions about the Valley’s cultural past and firmly positions Kashmir within the broader Buddhist landscape of the subcontinent. For decades, Jammu and Ladakh have been the known torchbearers of Buddhist heritage in the region, with well-documented monastic sites, stupas and sculptures. Kashmir, in contrast, had few tangible archaeological markers connecting it directly to early Buddhism. The Zehanpora discovery has changed that perception dramatically. When paired with earlier excavations at Akhnoor’s Amberan site-another thriving Buddhist settlement-it becomes evident that a vast and interconnected Buddhist civilisation once spanned across what are today distinct regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
These findings illuminate the remarkable socio-cultural sophistication of ancient Kashmir, a region historically positioned at the crossroads of trade routes linking Central Asia, the Indian plains and the Himalayan world. The quality of construction uncovered at Zehanpora, preserved for centuries despite harsh weather and geographical challenges, speaks to advanced architectural knowledge and organised urban planning of the Kushan era. The excavation-currently paused due to winter but expected to continue for years-will ultimately offer deeper insights into how communities lived, traded, worshipped and interacted during that period. The material culture discovered so far indicates a thriving settlement with strong artistic traditions and possible connections to the larger Gandhara and Central Asian Buddhist spheres. As archaeologists progress into the second phase of work, the scale of the settlement and its cultural profile will likely reshape our understanding of ancient Kashmir’s role in the region’s religious and economic networks.
The Government must move proactively to explore the tourism potential of these sites. Carefully conserved Buddhist circuits-linking Baramulla, Amberan, Ladakh and other historic locations-could attract global scholars, practitioners and heritage enthusiasts. Such initiatives would not only deepen cultural understanding but also generate sustainable economic benefits for local communities. As layers of earth give way to layers of history, Kashmir’s past is once again ready to speak-this time with a Buddhist voice long forgotten but now finally heard.
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