Sculptures dating back to Karkota era unearthed in Anantnag

Srinagar, Aug 3: A collection of centuries-old sculptures unearthed during spring restoration work near a spring in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday has renewed archaeological interest in the region’s layered spiritual and cultural history.

Labourers of the Public Works Department (PWD) working at the Karkut Nag spring in the Vail-Nagbal-Salia village of Aishmuqam discovered the relics, which include several Shivlings, a carved stone pillar, and a fragmented sculpture believed to depict multiple deities during excavation.

The site lies about 16 km from the Anantnag district headquarters.

Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums arrived at the site and took custody of the 21 artefacts.

The sculptures will be sent to the Shri Pratap Singh (SPS) Museum in Srinagar for detailed analysis.

“Preliminary observations suggest the sculptures may be Hindu and possibly date back to the Karkota period,” said K K Sidha, Director of the Archaeology and Archives Department. “However, further examination is required to determine their precise origin.”

The Karkota dynasty, which ruled Kashmir from around 625 to 855 CE, is known for its architectural achievements, including the Martand Sun Temple in Mattan, built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida.

The dynasty also patronised Buddhist institutions, leading scholars to explore a dual religious influence.

“These findings reflect a syncretic tradition,” said Dr Ajmal Shah, archaeologist and assistant professor at the University of Kashmir (KU)’s Centre of Central Asian Studies (CAAS).

He identified some sculptures as stelae or hero stones – memorial markers honouring warriors, ascetics, or women who performed sati.

“These stones, often placed near sacred springs or ‘nags,’ were more than grave markers,” Shah said. “They were symbols of honour, sacrifice, and spiritual merit, deeply rooted in the region’s social and religious fabric.”

He said that some of the stones might carry inscriptions in the ancient Sarada script, and their presence indicates a widespread tradition once central to Kashmiri life.

However, Dr Younis Wani, historian with a fellowship from Berlin, Germany, and specialising in ancient history of Kashmir, said there were potential Buddhist features in the recovered artefacts.

“Some postures and stupa-like designs suggest Buddhist symbolism,” Wani said. “This discovery supports the view that Karkota rulers were religiously tolerant, allowing both Hinduism and Buddhism to thrive under their reign.”

The artefacts were uncovered inside the compound of the Karkut Nag shrine, a site of religious importance to the local Kashmiri Pandit community.

The Karkut Nag spring is currently being restored under a Rs 30 lakh government-funded heritage project aimed at reviving key religious and historical landmarks, including temples, Sufi shrines, and Masjids across Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have long believed a temple once stood here,” said a local Kashmiri Pandit. “These Shivlings must be preserved.”

According to Sidha, the site was selected for restoration by a district-level committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner, in coordination with the Chief Secretary and the departments of Finance, Tourism, and Archaeology.

A team of archaeologists and historians will now study the sculptures to assess their age, cultural roots, and religious significance – a process experts say may take several weeks.