Indian Antiquary Vol 28

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 18

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JANUARY, 1899.
DETAILED REPORT OF AN ARCHÆOLOGICAL TOUR WITH THE BUNER
FIELD FORCE.* BY M. A STEIN, PH.D.
I. - Personal Narrative. At the end of November, 1897, Major H. A. DEANE, C.8.1., Political A gent, Swat, Dir, and Chitral, had been kind enough to call my attention to the opportunity which the punitire expedition, then under consideration against the tribes of Banēr, would offer for the examination of the antiquarian remains of that territory. Bunēr, as that portion of the ancient Udyāna which had hitherto been wholly inaccessible, and as the place from which a number of Major Deane's puzzling inscriptions in unknown characters had been obtained, could reasonably be expected to furnish an interesting new field for archeological exploration. I was hence eager to avail myself of the occasion.
Thanks largely to Major Deane's recommendation and the kind interest shown in the matter by the Hon'ble Mr. DANE, Chief Secretary to the Punjab Government, and my friend Mr. MAYNARD, the Junior Secretary, my application to be deputed with the Malakand Field Force during its operations in Bunēr was readily approved of by the Hon'ble Sir MACKWORTH YOUNG, K.C.8.1., Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab. The Local Government agreed to bear the expenses connected with my deputation. On the 29th December, when returning from a short archeological Christmas tour in the Swāt Valley, I received at Hoti-Mardan telegraphic intimation that the Government of India in the Foreign Department had sanctioned the proposal. In accordance with the instructions conveyed to me I saw on the same day at Kunda Camp Major-General SiR BINDON BLOOD, K.C.B., Commanding the Malakand Field Force, who very kindly assured me of his assistance in connection with the proposed archæoloyical survey. He also informed me of the early date fixed for the commencement of the operations against Bunēr. I had just time enough to hurry back to Lahore, where the Annual Convocation of the University required my presence, and to complete there the arrangements for my camp outfit and for & Surveyor from the Public Works Department who was to accompany me.
On the afternoon of the 4th January 1898 I left Lahore after assisting at the Convocation held under the presidency of the Hon'ble the Lieutenant-Governor and Chancellor of the University. Starting from Nowshera Station on the following morning I caught up on the same day General Blood's Division while encamped at Katlang on its march towards the Banēr berder. Heavy rain on the preceding day had made the air remarkably clear. As I passed Through the breadth of the great valley which forms the ancient Gandhāra, the barren mountain ranges enclosing it on the north and south stood out with a boldness reminding me of classical regions. From Mardan to Katlang the rugged Pajja Range, which in its secluded Ktraths and nooks hides a number of ancient sites, kept all the way prominently in front. On . small spar descending from this range, which is passed to the east of the road close to the village of Jamalgarhi, the ruins of the large Buddhist monastery came into view, which was excavated here by General Cunningham. I was unable to re-visit these interesting remains for want of time, but was informed that numerous injured torsos of statues which had been brought to light by those diggings, still cover the ground in several of the Vihāra Courts.
At Katlang I was joined by Fayl Iläbi, Draftsman, from the office of the Executive Engineer, *Peshawar, who was to act as my Surveyor. There I found also SLērbāz, Jamadār of Swāt
Levies, and Kator Shāh, a Miān from Shāhbāzgarhi, whom Major Deane bad kindly sent t. nccompany me to Bunēr and to assist me by their local knowledge.
* This Report was submitted to the Government of the Punjab on the 26th July, 1898, and has since been printed by order of that Government. It is reprinted here with the kind permission of His Honour the LieutenantGovernor of the Punjab, as conveyed in letter No. 891, dated 19th December, 1898, of the Revenue Secretary to the Local Government, — M. A, ST,