Seri Bahlol

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Type Cultural
Criteria iv
Reference 140
UNESCO region Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 1980 (4th Session)

Seri Bahlol (or Sehri Bahlol or Sahr-i-Bahlol) is located near Takht Bhai, about 70 kilometres north-west of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan.

History

Seri Bahlol is a historical place and it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980. It contains the remains of Buddha, which have not been properly excavated. Antiques such as statues, coins, utensils and jewellery are commonly found.[1] The local people continue illegal excavation in their homes and land, damaging the historical monuments. Some of the local dealers of antiques misguide the local population and instigate them to involve them in illegal excavation. It requires national and international attention in order to reserve the remnants at Seri Bahlol.

The word "Seri Bahlol" has been explained by various people in different ways. The local people, however, explain that this is a combination of two Hindi words "Sheri" means Sir and "Bahlol" the name of a prominent political and religious leader of the area. However, the name is not as old as the village Seri Bahlol. The village is located on a hillock protected by a well sophisticated stone wall which was constructed around 3,000 years ago. The wall has damaged in several places however, it is still visible in many places. The village is surrounded by fertile land where the local people practice agriculture. For the last few years, the rapid population growth has engulfed the agriculture land and is a risk for food security.

Population

Estimated household in the village are 1000 with an average household size of 7. Total estimated population of the village is 7,000. Literacy ratio is considerably low among female. There is a primary and a high school for girls and one primary and high school for boys. In order to provide health facilities to the local people, there is a Basic Health Unit in the village run under the administrative control of "People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI)".

Culture

There are different tribes living in Seri Bahlol including the Mohmand, Gujar, Bajouri, and Khogyani. All of them share the common code of Pashtunwali. The local people have mutual respect for each other. They are socially and culturally coherent and extensively support each other during marriage ceremonies, deaths or other events. There is a great respect for women who strongly observe purdah.

Economy

Economically, people are poor with a low level of literacy. The people are engaged in various economic activities ranging from farming, manufacturing to businesses & services. With the growing population, agriculture activities are not sufficient to cater the needs. Therefore, people have started business activities in the nearby town of Takht-Bhai, Gujar Garhi and in Mardan.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seri Bahlol.

References

  1. ↑ Hassan Dani, Dr: The Peshawar

Coordinates: 34°15′19.71″N 71°57′02.48″E / 34.2554750°N 71.9506889°E / 34.2554750; 71.9506889

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