Why is it in the news?
→ Archaeological excavations uncovered over 2,000-year-old Kushan-era Buddhist stupa in Baramulla.
Category
History
Important Points
- Located in Zehanpora, Baramulla (North Kashmir).
- Dates to the Kushan era (1st–3rd century CE).
- Kashmir’s largest known Buddhist site; 10-acre excavation.
- Historic photo found in French archive showing three stupas.
- Buddhism in Kashmir is linked to Ashoka; Mahayana roots from the 4th Buddhist Council (~72 AD).
- Mahavamsa records Ashoka inviting Kashmiri scholars to the 3rd Buddhist Council (~250 BCE).
- Major Buddhist sites listed across North, Central and South Kashmir.