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| National museum to host 40-day Photo Exhibition on Ambaran Excavations | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Mar 30: The National Museum in New Delhi will host a 40-day-long photo exhibition on Ambaran, the renowned Buddhist excavation site in Akhnoor, starting from Wednesday, April 2. The exhibition, titled ‘Ambaran: The Historic Buddhist Citadel of Jammu & Kashmir’, aims to bring national attention to the rich history and cultural significance of Ambaran and Akhnoor.
Jammu & Kashmir Minister Mr. Satish Sharma has played a pivotal role in organizing the event by persuading veteran photojournalist Vijay Kranti to present this exhibition. Following its conclusion in New Delhi, the exhibition will be displayed in Srinagar and Jammu. The event is being jointly organized by the National Museum and the Centre for Himalayan Asia Studies and Engagement (CHASE), a New Delhi-based think tank.
Historical and Archaeological Significance
The exhibition provides a comprehensive visual and historical presentation of Ambaran, which dates back over 2,000 years. Ambaran served as an active and vibrant Buddhist monastery for nearly 900 years, from the 2nd century B.C. to the 7th century A.D. The site was excavated by a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the leadership of noted archaeologist Dr. B.R. Mani between 1999 and 2000. The findings at Ambaran belong to four distinct historical periods:
• Pre-Kushan Period (2nd to 1st century B.C.)
• Kushan Period (1st to 3rd century A.D.)
• Post-Kushan (Gupta) Period (4th to 5th century A.D.)
• Post-Gupta Period (6th to 7th century A.D.)
Vijay Kranti, a celebrated journalist and photographer with family roots in Jammu & Kashmir, has documented the Tibetan diaspora and Himalayan Buddhism for over five decades. His extensive photographic work on Ambaran was inspired by his late friend, Lok Sabha MP Madan Lal Sharma from Akhnoor.
Dalai Lama’s Interest in Ambaran
Kranti’s photography of Ambaran gained international attention, leading to a visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011. During his discussion with Dr. Mani about the archaeological findings, the Dalai Lama remarked that further excavations at Ambaran could potentially lead historians to revise certain chapters in the history of Buddhism.
Akhnoor’s Cultural and Historical Richness
Mr. Satish Sharma emphasized the significance of Akhnoor, which is home to several cultural and historical landmarks, including:
• The Buddhist Monastic Site of Ambaran
• The Historic Akhnoor Fort
• Jia Pota Mandir, the Coronation Site of Maharaja Gulab Singh
• Akhnoor Railway Bridge, the Highest in the World
• The Majestic Chenab River
This exhibition seeks to promote Ambaran and Akhnoor as potential tourist destinations while shedding light on their immense historical and archaeological importance. |
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