Baramulla, December 28, 2025-In the quiet village of Jehanpora (also known as Zehanpora) in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, towering earthen mounds had long been part of the local landscape — noticed but largely unexplored for generations. What once appeared to be ordinary formations has now emerged as a site of extraordinary historical importance, revealing a vast Kushan-era Buddhist complex dating back nearly 2,000 years.
The discovery has brought renewed attention to the ancient and rich cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting its role as a major centre of Buddhist learning, spirituality and trans-Himalayan trade between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE.
From Mysterious Mounds to a Major Discovery
For decades, locals were aware of the unusual mounds near Zehanpora village, but their true nature remained unknown. The breakthrough came in 2023, when archaeologist Dr. Mohammad Ajmal Shah discovered an old, blurred photograph in a French museum archive. The photograph depicted three ancient Buddhist stupas in Baramulla, providing crucial historical evidence that linked the mounds to Kashmir’s long-forgotten Buddhist past.
This chance archival find proved decisive. Preliminary surveys using drone imagery, high-resolution mapping and ground verification soon confirmed that the mounds were not natural but man-made, pointing towards the existence of an ancient settlement buried beneath the surface.
Scientific Excavation and Key Findings
A full-scale excavation began in 2025, marking the first large-scale, ASI-approved collaborative archaeological project in the region. The excavation is being jointly carried out by the Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, and the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.
So far, archaeologists have uncovered extensive remains, including:
- Multiple Buddhist stupas, some with apsidal architectural forms
- Structural walls and monastic cells
- Pottery fragments and copper artefacts
- Terracotta artworks, some displaying strong Gandhara-style influence
Experts describe the site as potentially one of the largest early-historic Buddhist settlements in the Himalayan region, comparable to renowned centres such as Swat and Taxila.
A Window Into Kashmir’s Ancient Identity
The Buddhist complex at Zehanpora stands as a powerful testament to how ancient, diverse and culturally rich the identity of Jammu and Kashmir has been over centuries. Beyond the archaeological significance of the stupas themselves, the story of their discovery — from long-ignored mounds to a forgotten photograph in a foreign archive — adds a fascinating human dimension to the site, demonstrating how history can resurface through persistence, scholarship and modern science.
PM Highlights Discovery
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Jehanpora discovery in his December 28, 2025, Mann Ki Baat address, noting how the French photograph had “turned back time” to reveal Kashmir’s rich and ancient heritage. He emphasised that such findings underline the importance of preserving India’s archaeological and cultural legacy, particularly in historically significant regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
Way Forward
Archaeologists say excavation and research at Zehanpora will continue in phases, with a focus on conservation, documentation and heritage awareness. Once fully studied and preserved, the site is expected to become a major reference point for understanding the early history of Buddhism in north Kashmir and the region’s role in trans-Himalayan cultural exchange.
The rediscovery of Zehanpora now stands as a reminder that Kashmir’s soil still holds untold stories of its ancient past, waiting to be revealed.
