Unraveling the Mysteries of Kishtwar: Exploring Ancient Baolies and a Lost History

Unraveling the Mysteries of Kishtwar: Exploring Ancient Baolies and a Lost History

Kishtwar, a region nestled amidst the formidable peaks of the Himalayas, holds its past tightly veiled in the mists of time. Estimating the precise age of its history proves an arduous task, as the rugged terrain, once densely cloaked in ancient forests, presents significant hurdles in tracing the initial human settlements and the arrival of its earliest inhabitants. Historians speculate that Kishtwar may have even possessed its own unique script, a cultural treasure that has sadly vanished with the relentless march of time.

Boalies near Bindraban Kishtwar

 

To truly understand the rich heritage of Kishtwar and glean insights into the lives of our distant ancestors, we must turn our attention to the tangible remnants they left behind – the structures and objects that have survived the ages. These creations, though often bearing the scars of time and neglect, still stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era. Sadly, many of these invaluable relics are in a state of disrepair, some succumbing to the natural forces of decay, while others have been deliberately damaged or suppressed for individual gain. Occasionally, significant artifacts are unearthed from their subterranean slumber, offering tantalizing glimpses into the past. It is now more crucial than ever to prioritize the protection and preservation of these historical treasures, ensuring that they endure as a lasting legacy for generations yet to come.

The Enigmatic Site of Bindraban: A Window to Kishtwar's Ancient Past

Within the geographical embrace of Kishtwar, approximately 4-5 kilometers northwest of the district headquarters, lies a site presently known as Bindraban, a name that echoes the sacred Vrindavan. This location is remarkable for being home to a multitude of ancient, human-constructed monuments. Through careful observation and analysis of these structures, we can begin to tentatively estimate their age and gain insights into the rudimentary tools and technologies that were likely employed in their creation. Yet, our understanding of these aspects remains as limited as a partridge's knowledge of the moon's phases.

Boalies near Bindraban Kishtwar

 

Bindraban stands as a significant historical and religious center for the Hindu community in Kishtwar. A venerable temple dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman graces this site, its origins lost in the mists of antiquity. Adding to the historical significance are the twelve Baolies, or stepwells, constructed in ancient times, their precise dates shrouded in uncertainty. Local tradition firmly holds the belief that these impressive water structures were built by the Pandavas, the legendary heroes of the epic Mahabharata, during their period of exile. The sheer scale and complexity of these Baolies suggest that their construction would have been beyond the capabilities of ordinary individuals of that era. Without the aid of modern machinery and advanced technology, the task of quarrying and lifting the massive boulders required immense physical strength and engineering ingenuity.

Architectural Marvels: The Baolies of Bindraban

At Bindraban, a total of eighteen (18) Baolies have been identified, though regrettably, most are in a state of significant disrepair. Ten of these ancient stepwells face towards the west, while the remaining eight are oriented towards the north-east. Their specific locations have been documented through geographical coordinates:

1. Ten Baolies are situated within the coordinates of 33⁰21’08”N 75⁰44’28”E to 33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’25”E.
2. Four Baolies can be found at the coordinates of 33⁰21’12”N 75⁰44’23”E.
3. Three Baolies are located at the coordinates of 33⁰21’14”N 75⁰44’24”E.
4. Traces of one Bavari (another term for stepwell) can be identified at the coordinates of 33⁰21’15”N 75⁰44’23”E.

The architecture and design of these ancient stone structures exhibit a remarkable uniformity, suggesting a shared construction period or at least a consistent building tradition. The stones used in their creation were sourced from quarries located in the immediate vicinity, indicating a localized effort in their construction. The walls of these Baolies are adorned with exquisite carvings and paintings, offering glimpses into the artistic expressions and beliefs of the people who built them. These include depictions of horses, various animals, and intriguing carvings that appear to represent Brahmanical tantric symbols. Notably, the second Bavari at the coordinate of 33⁰21’08”N 75⁰44’28” features a human image carved in a meditative posture, hinting at the spiritual significance that may have been associated with these sites. The prevalence of horse images on the walls of many Baolies suggests that the horse held a sacred status for the people of that time.

Further examination of the Baolies reveals design patterns at equidistant intervals of approximately one foot, indicating a sophisticated understanding of measurement or the use of standardized measuring instruments. The "noans," or water outlets, of these stepwells also demonstrate a practical understanding of water purification. They were ingeniously designed with a small bowl-like depression before the outlet, allowing sediments to settle at the bottom, ensuring that relatively fresh and pure water flowed through the mouth of the noan. The dimensions of several of the Baolies at Bindraban have been meticulously recorded in feet, providing valuable data for archaeological study.

S.NO.	LENGTH	BREADTH	HEIGHT	COORDINATES
1.	11.00	11.00	05.07	33⁰21’12”N 75⁰44’23”E.
2.	14.06	08.02	08.00	33⁰21’12”N 75⁰44’23”E.
3.	12.03	05.01	03.10	33⁰21’12”N 75⁰44’23”E.
4.	17.00	10.00	08.02	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
5.	10.00	05.04	06.10	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
6.	11.06	04.06	06.06	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
7.	14.00	06.08	07.09	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
8.	11.00	05.00	07.00	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
9.	09.00	02.00	05.00	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
10.	11.00	05.10	08.02	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
11.	18.00	07.00	08.00	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.
12.	17.00	08.00	09.05	33⁰21’11”N 75⁰44’26”E.

Additionally, six more Baolies at Bindraban are no longer in a condition that allows for precise measurement, but their presence can still be clearly discerned. The remnants of these structures are scattered across the site, with some stones having been repurposed by local inhabitants for fencing their agricultural fields, a testament to both the durability of the original construction and the challenges of preserving these ancient sites.

• One Bavari is at the coordinate of 33⁰21’12”N 75⁰44’23”E.
• One Bavari is at the coordinate of 33⁰21’15”N 75⁰44’23”E.
• One Bavari is at the coordinate of 33⁰21’08”N 75⁰44’28”E.
• Three Baolies are at the coordinate of 33⁰21’14”N 75⁰44’24”E.

The dimensions of the "Noans" (water outlets) of the Baolies found at Bindraban also provide further insight into their design and function.

S.NO.	LENGTH	BREADTH	HEIGHT	HEIGHT FROM GROUND	NUMBER OF NOANS
1.	01.10	01.06	01.04	01.05	01
2.	02.00	01.09	01.06	02.00	01
3.	02.00	01.11	01.06	01.00	01
4.	02.00	02.00	01.03	01.05	02
5.	01.00	01.00	01.00	01.00	01
6.	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----
7.	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----
8.	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----
9.	01.04	01.04	01.00	01.00	01
10.	02.00	02.02	01.08	03.00	01
11.	02.00	01.05	01.00	03.00	01
12.	01.05	01.05	01.05	01.00	01

A Wider Network of Ancient Stepwells in Kishtwar

The ancient stone structures known as Baolies or stepwells are not confined to Bindraban alone. They are scattered across various sites within the Kishtwar plateau, including locations such as Telmoche, Arese, Hatta, Bun Kuleed, Nagini, Bonpanyar, Inderpanyar, Marpanyar, Kundali, Chabe, Hunjale, Sangrambhatta, Hudri, Hargadi, and Bimarnag. Furthermore, similar Baolies exhibiting close resemblances have been found outside the immediate Kishtwar Plateau, in areas like Kuntwara, Nagseni, Paddar, Saroor, Palmar, Sarthal, Marwah, Drubeel, Morne, and Mulchitar. Tragically, the majority of these ancient water structures are in a state of disrepair. Some still function, providing a testament to their original engineering, while others lie dormant, and some have fallen into complete ruin. In the local dialect, these stone structures are often referred to as ‘Nag,’ and the point from which water emerges is called ‘Noan.’

The Legend of the Pandavas: Connecting Ancient Structures to Epic Tales

A prevailing belief within Kishtwar connects these remarkable stone structures to the Pandavas, the central characters of the epic Mahabharata, attributing their construction to the period of the Pandavas' fourteen-year exile (thirteen years of banishment and one year of anonymity). If this belief holds true, calculations based on the generally accepted dates of the Mahabharata period would place the foundation of these Baolies between 3052 and 3065 BCE. Professor K. Srinivasa Raghavan, in his scholarly work "The Date of the Mahabharata War and The Kali Yugadhi," fixes the date of the Mahabharata War to November 22nd, 3067 BCE, and provides dates for the birth of Lord Krishna and Yudhishthira. Based on these calculations, the age of these stone structures could indeed be approximately 5100 years.

Boalies near Bindraban Kishtwar

 

Interestingly, the Baolies in Kishtwar, particularly those at Bindraban, are often found in association with Chinar trees and a tree held sacred by the local people, known as ‘Barun’ in the local language and also called ‘Dharam.’ These Barun trees are revered and have never been pruned, nor has their wood ever been utilized, suggesting a deliberate association with the sacred sites. The builders of these ancient stone structures undoubtedly possessed a significant understanding of geology, hydrology, and architecture, evident in the enduring nature of their creations.

The local belief in the Pandavas' connection to Kishtwar is further supported by an incident narrated in the Mahabharata. During their period of exile, the Pandavas are said to have traveled to a region known as Sindhu Desh, which is believed to have encompassed present-day Jammu and Kashmir along with some northeastern parts of Pakistan. This was the kingdom of their brother-in-law, Jaidratha (husband of Dushala, the sister of Duryodhana). It was here that Jaidratha attempted to abduct Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, but was thwarted by the valor of Bhima and Arjuna. This narrative link strengthens the local tradition of the Pandavas' presence in the region.

Linguistic Echoes of the Mahabharata: Connecting Kishtwar to Ancient Lore

The name Bindraban itself is considered a local variation of the word Vrindavan, a significant location in Uttar Pradesh associated with the life of Lord Krishna, a key figure in the Mahabharata. This linguistic resonance is not the only connection to the epic. The name Keshwan is believed to be a corrupted form of Keshaw Van, meaning the forest of Lord Krishna. Similarly, the village name Thakarie is thought to be a derivative of Thakur ji, another name for Lord Krishna. Furthermore, a forest situated above the village of Panditgam is still known as Krishnun Van, signifying the forest of Lord Krishna. These place names offer compelling linguistic evidence of a deep-rooted cultural connection between Kishtwar and the narratives of the Mahabharata.

A Legacy of Ingenuity: Challenging Assumptions of Primitiveness

We often tend to view our ancestors as primitive, while considering our own society as the pinnacle of advancement and civilization. However, the enduring presence of numerous megalithic structures in Kishtwar, many still in remarkable condition, challenges this simplistic view. Were these structures built for mere utilitarian purposes, or did their creators intend to leave behind clues about their civilization, culture, and technological prowess? It seems evident that they did, constructing numerous enduring structures throughout the Chenab Valley with a design intended to withstand the ravages of time.

How truly "primitive" were these people? They skillfully utilized massive blocks of stone, precisely shaped into cubical and cuboidal forms, fitting them together without the use of mortar. Remarkably, many of these structures were interlocked in a jigsaw-like fashion, a construction technique that provides exceptional resistance to earthquake damage, unlike many modern structures. This level of engineering sophistication defies easy dismissal and suggests a deep understanding of structural integrity.

A Plea for Preservation: Safeguarding Kishtwar's Cultural Heritage

As the author of this exploration into Kishtwar's ancient past, I humbly appeal to the local administration of the district to take immediate and decisive action to protect and revitalize these invaluable ancient monuments, which form an integral thread in the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage. I also earnestly urge the local inhabitants to actively participate in the safeguarding of these ancestral sites and to share the stories and significance of this heritage with the generations that will follow.

The preservation of these ancient structures is not merely an act of historical reverence; it is a crucial endeavor that provides an irreplaceable window into the civilization, culture, and technology of our ancestors. Their ingenuity and skill, so clearly manifested in the enduring construction of these Baolies and other megalithic remnants, profoundly challenge any assumptions we might hold about the primitiveness of those who came before us. By protecting these sites, we not only honor their legacy but also enrich our understanding of human history and the remarkable capabilities of past societies.

Authored by: ANIL KUMAR BHAGAT  

Mobile: 7051350159  

Email: anilk11111982@gmail.com

 

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