Barikot
Barikot is the largest city in the south end of the Swat valley, which is located at a distance of 20 km away from Mingora. It was an important religious center in the (ancient Udyana) of Gandhara civilization. The rural sub valleys of Barikot like Amlukdara and Najigram are rich in ancient Buddhist stupas & relics.
History
Both Aurel Stein and Giuseppe Tucci identified Barikot with the ancient town of "Bazira". At the time of Alexander the Great invasion, Bazira was occupied by Assakenoi people whose settlements are still existent.
Ancient fortifications by the name of Barikot-Ghwandai, located on the outskirts of the town, are being excavated by an Italian Archaeological mission since 1984.
The oldest layer built of bricks and stone probably corresponds to the fortress besieged by Alexander. However, no traces of the Macedonian occupation have been found yet.
The sequent layers consist of fortifications built by the Indo-Greek kings. A stone wall in Hellenistic style was built around the city, with equidistant quadrangular bastions, all according to Attic measurements. Ruins of palatial quarters as well as areas related to the Buddhism have been unearthed
During the Kushan period, Barikot experienced rapid development with the creation of building dedicated to workmanship.
Barikot has become a very important archaeological site, rivaling Taxila, for the study of history in northern Pakistan. A large quantity of the artefacts are preserved in the National Museum of Oriental Art of Rome, and the MAO in Turin.
The nearby sanctuary of Butkara I has been very valuable in the study of the development of Greco-Buddhist art.
Mostly Yousafzai Pashtuns living in Barikot.
References
- Report of the Italian Archaeological Mission (Pdf, Italian)
Coordinates: 34°40′37″N 34°40′37″E / 34.677°N 34.677°E