Sanghol Buddhist Archaeological Museum — Attraction in Punjab

Ancient Site and Buddhist Stupa

The archaeological site at Sanghol, locally known as Ucha Pind is located in the tehsil Khamanon, distt. Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana highway. The site lies on the ancient route Uttarapatha which connected Taxila with Mathura via Indraprastha, Rohitaka and Sanghol. It also lies on silk route. The Department of Archaeology & Museums, Punjab, & Archaeological Survey of india have conducted several archaeological excavations here between the years 1968 to 1990 which revealed cultural sequence ranging from late Harappa culture (Circa 2000 BCE) to Medieval period The site was first occupied by the Late Harappans around 2000 BCE and was followed by the people using Painted Grey Ware: Northern Black Polished ware culture: Sunga-Kushana period (BCE 1- 3rd Cent CE), Gupta Period (45th century CE), medieval and late medieval period. During the Kushana period Sanghol flourished as a prominent center of architecture and art comprising Buddhist Viharas (Monasteries), Stupas and palaces. The site shot into prominence in 1985, with sudden discovery of a treasure trove of 117 beautifully carved stone slabs, which include 69 upright pillars, 35 crossbars and 13 coping stones which belonged to Mathura school of art of 1st-2nd Cent. CE. Excavationsconducted at apsidal mound, called SGL-5 revealed a dharma-chakra pattern plan of a Buddhist stupa along with the wall and a number of other structures. This stupa was intersected by three concentric walls, each with spoke-like radial walls (respectively numbering 12, 24, and 32) sealing as mary box chambers which were packed with mud and kankar. The stupa was enclosed by a lime plaster platform for circumambulation with approach steps in each cardinal direction. It contained the relics of a reverend Buddhist teacher. This is inferred from the bone relics interred in a soapstone casket bearing Kharoshti inscription on its lid and few votive stupas put up around the main stupa. At Hathiwara mound, a large structure has been identified as "palatial remains" of the Kushana period. This site also, yielded evidence of fortification with three moats.

In view of its historical importance, it was declared as a monument of national importance vide notification no. 1204...

Sanghol is a historical village located in Fatehgarh Sahib District of Punjab, India predating to Harrapan civilisation.

It is also known as Uchha Pind Sanghol. It is about 40 km from Chandigarh on the way to Ludhiana and approximately 10 km from Dholewal. This place holds a special position on the archaeological atlas of India.[1] Excavations at the site have yielded coins and seals related to Toramana and Mihirakula belonging to central Asia.

A Buddhist stupa was excavated in 1968, but in February 1985 a rich treasure of 117 beautiful carved stone slabs, which includes 69 pillars, 35 crossbars, figures and figurines, was excavated by the experts of the Directorate of Archaeology, Punjab. Scholars have explained them as Kushan sculptures of the Mathura school of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. These treasures have since been displayed for art lovers and historians in Sanghol Museum. Many of the art pieces from this museum often go on display as special exhibits at various museums...

Visited the Sanghol Archeological Museum today Security flipped when I took a pic of the museum outside, then followed me around while I toured the exhibits to make SURE I didn’t take any more pics Invaded my space, stared hard, hilarious I took my time, walked in circles and doubled back a lot just for fun Truth is that the Museum has some GREAT Buddhist sandstone sculpture, well worth a visit Carved rail-posts of female figures doing more than the usual dakini pose: drunk and being helped up by a male figure, another an acrobat-entertainer balancing an urn on her lifted elbow, like that Just wonderful stuff They need to rethink their photo and security...