Semthan: A Hellenistic outpost in Kashmir Himalaya

• Authors: Shah Mohammad Ajmal , Lone Abdul Rashid
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Semthan is one of the important archaeological sites in the southern part of the Kashmir valley. The very limited archaeological excavation at the site has revealed interesting results and a cultural continuity which bridged the gap from the end of the Megalithic phase to the emergence of Kushan culture in the valley. The material culture from Semthan significantly changed the whole fabric of Kashmir history and introduced hitherto unknown deposits from the Indo -Greek phase. From the archaeological investigations it becomes clear that the Indo -Greek phase at Semthan has seen a considerable change in the social and cultural proliferation as well as a subsistence change from the earlier cultures. Given the fact that the material culture at Semthan reveals a widespread Hellenistic influence, it is true that a recent find of Indo -Greek coins and associated material has put the region into the limelight once again and needs a serious archaeological investigation. This paper makes an attempt to highlight the past and recent sporadic finds from and around the archaeological site of Semthan and puts in perspective the Indo -Greek rule in the northern most Himalayan region of the Kashmir valley

Keywords

EN

Semthan; Kashmir; Indo-Greeks; Kushan; Rajatarangini; Chakradhara; NBPW; Coins

Discipline

• ARCHAEOLOGY: ARCHAEOLOGY

• Publisher: Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Arts, Czech Republic
• Journal: Studia Hercynia
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 136-149

Contributors

author

Shah Mohammad Ajmal

• Centre of Central Asian Studies University of Kashmir

author

Lone Abdul Rashid

• Department of History University of Kashmir