Kargah Buddha
Kargah Buddha (Urdu: کارگاہ بدھ; Shina: Yʂhani یݜنی) is an archaeological site located about 6 miles (9.7 km) outside of Gilgit, Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan.[2] It is a carved image of a large standing Buddha, some 50 ft (15 m) high, in the cliff-face in Kargah Nala.[3][4] The carving, which is in a style also found in Baltistan, is estimated to date back to the 7th century.[4] The image is surrounded by the holes for a wooden house structure, which would have sheltered it from inclement weather. Location and historyKargah Buddha is located at the junction of two streams, the Kargah and Shukogah, about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city of Gilgit.[4][5] Nearby locales include , Napur, and the Rakaposhi mountain.[4] From the 3rd century to the 11th century, Gilgit was a prominent centre of early Buddhism.[2] During this time period, multiple powers vied for control of the region, including The kamboja mahajanapadas ,Tibetan Empire, the Kashmiri Karkota Dynasty, and the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates.[2] Nearby, about 400 metres (1,300 ft) upstream, a Buddhist monastery and three stupas containing Sanskrit manuscripts were excavated in 1931.[2] By the 11th century, Gilgit had grown into the autonomous kingdom of Dardistan before largely adopting Islam.[2] Carving excavation and legendsIt is estimated that the carving was completed in the 7th century.[4] It was discovered in 1938–39, following the innovation of supposed Gilgit manuscripts in 1931.[citation needed] According to local legend, the figure is actually a man-eating giantess or witch (yakshini or ya-chaani or yacheni) who terrorized the local residents and was ultimately pinned to the cliff by a pir (holy man) as punishment.[4][6][7] References
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