Seri Bahlol

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

Type	Cultural
Criteria	iv
Reference	140
UNESCO region	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	1980 (4th Session)

Seri Bahlol (or Sehri Bahlol) is located near Takht Bhai, about 70 kilometres north-west of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan.

History

Seri Bahlol is a historical place and it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980. It contains the remains of Buddha, which have not been properly excavated. Antiques such as statues, coins, utensils and jewellery are commonly found.^[1] The local people continue illegal excavation in their homes and land, damaging the historical monuments. Some of the local dealers of antiques misguide the local population and instigate them to involve them in illegal excavation. It requires national and international attention in order to reserve the remnants at Seri Bahlol.

The word "Seri Bahlol" has been explained by various people in different ways. The local people, however, explain that this is a combination of two Hindi words "Sheri" means Sir and "Bahlol" the name of a prominent political and religious leader of the area. However, the name is not as old as the village Seri Bahlol. The village is located on a hillock protected by a well sophisticated stone wall which was constructed around 3,000 years ago. The wall has damaged in several places however, it is still visible in many places. The village is surrounded by fertile land where the local people practice agriculture.

Population

Estimated household in the village are 750 with an average household size of 7. Total estimated population of the village is 5,250. Population of children (<18) for both sexes is 2,730 whereas adults population (>18) for both sexes is 2,520. Literacy ratio is considerably low among female. There is a primary and a middle school for girls and one primary and high school for boys. In order to provide health facilities to the local people, there is a Basic Health Unit in the village run under the administrative control of "People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI)".

Culture

There are different tribes living in Seri Bahlol including the Mohmand, Gujar, Bajouri, and Khogyani. All of them share the common code of Pashtunwali. The local people have mutual respect for each other. They are socially and culturally coherent and extensively support each other during marriage ceremonies, deaths or other events. There is a great respect for women who strongly observe purdah.

Economy

Economically, people are poor with a low level of literacy. The people are engaged in various economic activities ranging from farming, manufacturing to businesses & services. With the growing population, agriculture activities are not sufficient to cater the needs. Therefore, people have started business activities in the nearby town of Takht-Bhai, Gujar Garhi and in Mardan.

Gallery

A farmer applying pesticides to his crop
A view of the village

References

↑ Hassan Dani, Dr: The Peshawar

Neighbourhoods of Peshawar

Administrations: Peshawar Division and Peshawar District

Cities	Peshawar (capital)

Tehsils	Peshawar Town I Peshawar Town II Peshawar Town III Peshawar Town IV

Towns & councils	Adezai Amb Badaber Bela Baramad Khel Chaghar Matti Chamkani Choughalpura Danish Abad Gor Khuttree Hayatabad Landi Yarghajo Mathra Mattani Mohabat Khel Mohalla Jam-e-shifa Nasir Bagh Pushkalavati Passani Putwar Bala Seri Bahlol Sethi Mohallah Sethi Town Shamshato Refugee Camp Surizai Bala

Website: Peshawar District at NRB

World Heritage Sites in Pakistan

Heritage sites	Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta Rohtas Fort Taxila

Tentative sites	Badshahi Mosque Wazir Khan Mosque Tombs of Jahangir, Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai Hiran Minar and Tank Ranikot Fort Shah Jahan Mosque Chaukhandi tombs Archaeological Site of Mehrgarh Archaeological Site of Rehman Dheri Archaeological Site of Harappa Archaeological Site of Ranigat Shahbazgarhi Rock Edicts Mansehra Rock Edicts Baltit Fort Tombs of Bibi Jawindi, Baha'al-Halim and Ustead and the Tomb and Mosque of Jalaluddin Bukhari Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam Banbhore

Coordinates: 34°15′19.71″N 71°57′02.48″E / 34.2554750°N 71.9506889°E / 34.2554750; 71.9506889

List of cultural heritage sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Forts	Handyside Fort Kafir Kot

Archaeological sites	Ranigat Rehman Dheri Jaulian Sirsukh Takht-i-Bahi Seri Bahlol Mansehra Rock Edicts Bhamala Stupa

Museums	House of Dilip Kumar, Peshawar

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