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Archaeological Discoveries at Maini, District Swabi, Northern Pakistan A Preliminary Report

Zafar Hayat Khan Maini, locally known as Mainai, is the name of a village as well as a valley where a large number of archaeological sites of Buddhist as well as Hindu character can be observed. It is a physiographic zone that is located in the eastern part of district Swabi at latitude 3407'07.23" north and longitude 7236'32.38" east with an elevation of 383 meters above the sea level (Google earth). It lies in the southern foothills of 2255 meters high Mahba Range of mountains while Ajumair hill lies in its west and the barren Gadoon hills are lying in its east which blocks the water of Tarbela reservoir. All these mountains are Piedmont zones and a tentative division between lesser Himalayas and the Hindu-Kush (Dani 2001: 13). Maini is located 17 kilometres east of Swabi city, 5 kilometres north of opi city and 2 kilometres west of Gadoon Amazai Industrial Zone (see fig. 1). The main Swabi-opi road provides a connection near Koha village which runs towards north and takes 5 kilometres to arrive at Maini village. This road is an ancient track which then runs north of Maini, goes through Jhana village and then further extends to district Buner on one hand and Azz Dheri and Rni-Gha on the other. On the three sides Maini is bounded by hills while the southern plain gap provides a flowing route to the two hill-torrents and a natural spring (Chna) that are running through its heart. Total area of Maini valley is about 5 kilometres from east to west and 6 kilometres from north to south. The village itself is founded over ancient remains and the main populated area is surrounded by several archaeological sites (see figs. 1, 2).

Fig. 1. Location map of archaeological sites in Swabi

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Maini valley is composed of lush green valleys with natural streams and fertile agricultural land. While it has a strategic position due to its geographical setting. The famous Buddhist sites of Azz Dheri

and Rni-Gha lies in the west beyond the Ajumair hill rang while Gala-Hmle and Sri-Ko are situated in the southeast of Maini.

Fig. 2: Map showing archaeological sites at Maini 1. Ba Dherai, 2. Najeem Je Graveyard, 3. Murdu Dherai, 4. Hji Khel, 5. Slai Dherai, 6. Rahma ab, 7. Ko Dherai, 8. Ajumair Hill, 9. Ghundheray, 10. Modern Houses, 11. Shdo Dherai, 12. eelor (Lanay) Dherai, 13. The Well at eelor Wan, 14. Khazna Dherai, 15. Tlk Dherai, 16. Shakrai Dherai, 17. Kas Dherai

During the survey I found twenty archaeological sites of different nature which are scattered throughout the Maini valley, in which Murdu Dherai may have a brief cultural profile of the valley while most of the other sites enfold two to three periods. At different places of Maini valley one can find cultural artefacts of Mauryans, Indo-Greeks, Scytho-Parthians, Kushans and Hindu-Shahis. If thorough 1. Ba Dherai 1 The site of Ba Dherai (see fig. 3) is named after a graveyard that lies in its vicinity. In Pashto language the term Ba
1 Ali (2003: 148, 237) refers to four different periods of the present ruinous mound with the inclusion of a Buddhist stpa.

and methodical scientific excavations are conducted one may go beyond the time of Achaemenians but no stone-age or bronzeage material is reported yet. No Islamic monuments are reported from the whole valley because it was occupied by the strong hold of Yousafzai clan who resisted against the Muslim invaders. A detailed description of all the surveyed sites of Maini valley is given in the later pages.

means a graveyard covered with trees or a simply densely forested area is also called Ba. The remains of Ba Dherai, situated about 700 meters west of Maini road beside the Government College, lies on the ancient route that connects Maini with Bj. It is located at a latitude of 3406'34.34" north and a longitude of

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7235'25.35" east with an elevation of 393 meters above the sea level. The mound turns out a strategic position, from where one can see the Indus River in the south

and Gadoon belt in the north. The area is covered with a thick forest of two kind of botanical trees, acacia modesta and zizyphus jajoba.

Fig. 3. Eastern view of Ba Dherai

At the north-eastern end of the mound a monastic complex (see fig. 4) was noticed. A spacious hall, which makes part of the monastery, was measuring about 30x30 meters but now damaged. The eastern part of the monastic complex has five cells wherein three are almost square in shape, each one measures about 2.6x2.6 meters. The one in the middle and to the east shows a doorway that leads to the monastery. The cell to the extreme south is rectangular in shape. The southern side of complex has six square cells and are of the same size as mentioned earlier. The cells opens to the courtyard as do the others. The courtyard measures about 17x17 meters. This complex has two types of wall structures. One of the groups consists of damaged structures made of rubble masonry of huge boulders in the northern and western end of the complex. The other group of structures are of diaper masonry, especially the structures of the cells. The diaper masonry superimposed the structures in rubble masonry and may be later in date.

Fig. 4. Layout of the Monastic complex at Ba Dherai.

Fifty meters south of the complex a series of small cells were noticed where few ditches from illegal excavations were observed. The site has been partially converted into agricultural fields but most of the area, in particular the western side of the site, is still very much intact and needs proper archaeological investigation. The antiquities reported from the site are numerous and belong to different periods such as Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythians, Kushans etc. Among these antiquities the most important are the sculptures, carved slabs, coins, beads in semi-precious stones and clay, figurines, painted pottery and metal objects such as jewellery.

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2. Najeem Je graveyard Close to Ba Dherai, the graveyard roughly covers an area of about 700 meters and extends from the main road to Maini and Slai Dherai till Ba Dherai. This graveyard is located between latitudes 3406'42.29", 3464'3.75" north and longitudes 7235'14.21", 7236'14.83" east with an average elevation of 389 meters above the sea level. These are north-south oriented Islamic period ancient tombs with slanting stones on both ends (see fig. 5); no local disclosed these tombs to be their ancestors. In the eastern portion of the graveyard, near Slai Dherai, there are modern graves which overlap ancient graves. Major part of the graveyard is now converted into cultivated land and during levelling off the ground different kinds of grave-goods were recovered from some of the graves.

centre and connects Ba Dherai and Maini village with Ko Dherai and then the Gadoon belt, lies in its east. Some of the area of this site is converted into cultivated land but most part of the mound is undisturbed except for few small robber trenches made here and there. In 1999 a Turkish construction company destroyed part of the site during the construction of the Pehur High Level Canal (PHLC) (see fig. 6). During construction of the canal, structural remains along with Buddhist sculptures were exposed and unearthed along with large number of potsherds, hundreds of beads of semi-precious stones and two hoards of coins which then lost to the hands of antiquity dealers. In the north-eastern corner of the site, about 200 meters away from the canal, a stone built well was also observed (see fig. 7). It is located 50 meters north of the Kapa old path. The wall of the well is 30.5 centimetres thick with 1.5 metres diameter. On a height near this well an inscribed stone was found but much part of the stone is destroyed and broken into small pieces and no idea can be made about the drawings on it.

Fig. 5. Grave at Najeem Je graveyard.

3. Murdu Dherai 2 This mound lies 400 meters southeast of Maini village on the left bank of Gundal (Kunal) hill-torrent and on the eastern side of Chno sports ground on an elevation of 391 meters above the sea level at latitude 3406'42.31" north and longitude 7236'50.95" east. The famous ancient route of Kapa passes through its
2

In the area of Taxila a site of a similar name (Moha Murdu) is situated.

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Fig. 6. A view of some parts of Mradu site.

Fig. 7. Section of the well at Murdu Dherai.

The exposed structures at Murdu show three different type of masonry. Some of the walls are made of irregular large size blocks while other walls are made of large blocks with small chips for filling the gaps. Semi ashlars masonry was also observed at the site. Beside the two hoards mentioned earlier, one of the local antiquity dealers has reported forty-two bent-bar (punchmarked) coins which bore floral and geometrical motifs. Indo-Greek coins and Indo-Scythian coins are also reported from this site. But majority of the coins found at the site belong to the Kushan period. They mostly belong to Wima Kadphises, Kanishka I and Huvishka (given in the catalogue below). Late period coins were also discovered at the site. A single seal in clay and a good number of Buddhist period sculptures were also found during illegal digging or found at the surface.

Among the other findings were the grinding stones and pestles (see fig. 26), iron arrowheads (see fig. 27), beads in semi precious stones (see figs. 28, 29), Lapis Lazuli (see fig. 30) and terracotta (see fig. 31), and metal objects such as a six inches long bronze mirror (see fig. 32). Amongst the copper objects the most important are the finger rings and the antimony rods 3 (see fig. 37). Some of the rings are decorated in faunal designs, such as, cock, duck and snake (see fig. 33) 4. A small bell, probably in bronze, was also found at the site. A small sized pot in metal with a lid was also recovered (see fig. 34). Terra cotta figurines are also included in the major findings at this site (see fig. 35). Large quantity of potsherds and other object such as debar (see fig. 36) are to be found in great number. 4. Hji Khel Hji Khel, tributary of Maini, lies in the south of Murdu Dherai and on the ancient opi-Maini route. It lies on an elevation of 374 meters above the sea level at latitude 3406'29.55" north and longitude 7236'53.94" east. Here an ancient well was found filled to the dregs. I took it to be used for irrigation purposes because the fields beside the well produced a terracotta pipeline. This pipeline was destroyed
3 Such type of material is reported by Nasim 2006: 206-7 4 Ibid, 205-6

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during bulldozing the land for agriculture purpose. The same offshoot has an ancient graveyard which may be associated with 5. Slai Dherai In the southern part of the populated area of Maini lies another archaeological mound named as Slai Dherai (see fig. 8). It lies on the right side of Gundal (Kunal) hill-torrent while the famous spring (Jaba or Chna) flows through its northern end. This mound is situated at latitude 3406'45.28" north and longitude

Murdu mound. The site is intact and needs scientific excavations.

7236'26.16" east and on a height of 398 meters above the sea level. It is situated on the eastern side of the main road that leads to Maini village and is somewhat covered by modern houses and a modern graveyard. The ancient route that connects Ba Dherai, Murdu, Ko Dherai and Shakrai Dherai with each other passes through its northern side.

Fig. 8. Top northern view of Slai Dherai

Fig. 9. Ancient walls at Slai Dherai.

Fig. 10. Pottery from Slai Dherai.

According to the elders Slai Dherai was a gibbet during the Hindu period where the culprits used to be hanged. Another view

is that it was used as a watch tower because of its strategic position in the whole valley. Here the bases of two towers

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were also unearthed by the diggers, supporting the idea to be a watch tower. Two other mounds of the same name lay in the nearby regions; one on opi-HundJahangira alignment near opi city and the other on Jahangira-Lahor alignment. Where both these mounds are assigned to Kushan period and are named as watch towers (Ali 2003: 145, 150, 231, 242). Slai Dharai of Maini produces two different type of masonry; one type of structures is made of diaper masonry while in the other type mud is used in the construction (see fig. 9). The top buildings of the mound produce large quantity of lime-stone. The antiquity of this mound contains pottery of different periods (see fig. 10), terracotta beads, bangles, coins of Kuhans and Hindu-Shahis period, and large quantity of lime-stone. A small mound, called as Hassan-Hussain Dherai, is associated to the southern side of Slai Dherai but it is covered by a modern water tank. This mound looks like a stpa mound while the locals once reported that it produced large quantity of stone blocks. 6. Rahma ab and Rahma Dherai

Rahma ab lies 300 meters south of Slai Dherai on the western side of the main road leads to Maini village. It is situated at latitude 3406'44.32" north and longitude 7236'20.38" east and is elevated 384 metres above the sea level. Here two different kind of masonry can be found: diaper and ashlars with the application of mud between the blocks. Coins, pottery, beads and semi-precious stones were recovered from this site. A twelve centimetres statue in stone was also recovered during illegal digging (see fig. 13). Encroachment of site is a serious threat to the remains of Rahma ab.

Fig. 11. Google image of Rahma Dherai and Rahma ab

Fig. 12. Remaining portion of preserved mound of Rahma ab

Fig. 13. Stone statue from Rahma ab

Rahma Dherai is another small mound which is located in the most southern populated area of Maini. It is situated at

latitude 3406'38.60" north and longitude 7235'43.54" east on an elevation 411 metres above the sea level. Rahma ab is

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lying in its east, Ba Dherai in its west and Najeem Je Graveyard in its north and northeast. Only terraced fields can be observed near this mound. The site is intact and needs investigation. 7. Ko Dherai The mound is situated one kilometre southeast of Maini near one of its tributary that is named as Kambaray (see fig. 14). It is 388 meters above the sea level and lies at latitude 3406'26.66" north and longitude 7237'35.07" east. It is located between the two ancient routes that connect Maini and Shakrai Dherai with Gadoon belt, especially with Hukmat Paai (Gadoon Camp) and Palya mound (Gadoon factories) 5. Most of the stones at this mound have sign of fire, presents the idea that it was burnt down. This roughly rectangular shape mound is east-west oriented with its eastern part a little broader than the western edge. Its eastern edge measures 50 metres long while its western edge is 40 metres wide and both the northern and southern parts measure 97 meters long.

blocks with the application of mud among the blocks (see fig. 15).

Fig. 15. Exposed structure at Ko Dherai.

8. Ajumair Hill This 686 metres high squatted mountain is situated among the agricultural fields of Maini, Jhana and Bj villages. Its top is located at latitude 3407'43.13" north and longitude 7234'07.84" east. Some of the portion of this hill belongs to Maini village while some parts belong to Bj and Jhana villages. It covers the whole western border of Maini which separates Maini from Jhana and Bj. This utmost strategic mountain is accessible from Maini through three different routes; firstly from Ba Dherai through an olden course, secondly from Shdo Dherai site through another old path, and thirdly from undheray (lewanai) kandai. This mountain has different small mounds of archaeological importance, in which some sites belong to Bj and Jhana while two sites belong to Maini. Antiquity of IndoGreek, Indo-Scythian and Kuhan period has been recovered from these sites (Ali 2003: 148, 237). A large rock carved with Buddha in dhyana mudra, once, existed on its eastern side near Maini but that was destroyed by the locals with dynamite for searching gold inside it.

Fig. 14. Northern view of Ko Dherai

Ko Dherai has two terraces, the lower one is filled with soil and herbs while in the upper terrace only stones can be seen. No pottery, coins or beads can be found on the surface. Its top eastern portion is being looted by the locals but they found nothing without dump of stones and dressed walls, probably of Hindu-Shahi period. These walls are regularly constructed in arranged
For more detail see Ali (2003: 154, 147, 154, 236, 252).
5

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Fig. 16. Google image shows sites in Ajumair Hill.

9. Ghundheray 6 Due to the circular shape of the mound it is called as Ghundheray (see fig. 17). It is 413 metres above the sea level and is located at latitude 3407'17.68" north and longitude 7236'31.48" east. Most parts of the mound are covered by modern houses and modern graves and the local people do not allow anyone to conduct illegal digging. On the western side of the mound a modern water tank is constructed which caused a great damage to the site. Stone sculptures, coins and large number of other antiquities were found at the site.

Fig. 17. Google image shows Ghundheray and the site covered by modern houses at Maini.

10. Modern Houses of Maini 7 The modern houses at the centre of Maini village are constructed over ancient remains which produces different type of wall structures and antiquities (see fig. 17). These modern houses stretch up to 300 metres from east to west and up to 700 metres from north to south. Proper excavations cannot be conducted because it is such a congested area that one cannot find a single inch for laying a trench. 11. Shdo Dherai Shdo Dherai lies 3 kilometres northwest of Maini village and 750 meters west of eelor (Lanay) Dherai in the northeastern tributary of Ajumir Hill. This mound is also named as Dang Salay which is lying 450 meters west of Qsim Abd, situated on Maini-Jhana road (see fig.18). It is situated at latitude 3408'29.34" north and longitude 7234'50.25" east on an elevation of 470 metres above the sea

Ali (2003: 148, 237) mentions the site as Lundherai/Buthano Dherai which refers to Buddhist, Greek, Scythian and Kuan periods.

The red-circled area in Fig. 17 shows Ghundheray and the archaeological site covered by modern houses.

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level. The mound is of highly strategic importance, from where one can approach District Buner, Boko-Swabi link, the whole of Gadoon belt, and Maini valley as well. During illegal excavations the site produced a large number of Buddhist sculptures and two inscribed stone plates which lost to the antiquity dealers. About 100 meters wide monastic complex has been exposed which produce diaper Masonic walls (see fig. 19). The cells are measuring about 2.5 metres with 1 metre thick walls. Some walls are 1.5 metres thick.

centre of the site which connects Maini with Kunal village and then runs into the Buner district. On its northern side Gundal (Kunal) torrent is flowing which is considered as the northern border of Maini valley. This mound lies at latitude 3408'30.30" north and longitude 7235'40.24" east and on an elevation of 408 metres above the sea level. No robber trench is reported but part of the site is damaged by levelling the ground for cultivation. The nearby fields produce large quantity of pottery (see fig. 21) and beads. Rubble and diaper masonry walls can be seen in the sections of the fields.

Fig. 18. Google image of the whole of Shdo Dherai

Fig. 20. Google image of Deelor site & the well

Fig. 19. Exposed structures at Shdo Dherai.

12. eelor (Lanay) Dherai eelor (Lanay) Dherai lies 300 meters east of Qsim Abd which itself lies on the Maini-Jhana road (see fig. 20). The ancient Kunal route goes through the

Fig. 21. Pottery from eelor (Lanay) Dherai

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13. The Well at eelor Wan The well is situated some 100 meters south of eelor Dherai beside the ancient Kunal route (see fig. 20). It lies at latitude 3408'24.07" north and longitude 7235'38.86" east and is elevated on 404 metres above the sea level. This ancient well is still in use for irrigation purpose. It had an inscribed stone at one of its end which, according to the local elders, bore a date but the stone was removed earlier by the robbers. The well is 3 metres in diameter with half metre thick covering wall. The depth of the well is more than 20 metres below surface level. Material, used in the construction of the well, is purely local hard stone. The blocks are dressed in two different ways; first kind of blocks is consisted of roughly square blocks while the second kind is consisted of fine rectangular shape blocks. Each two square blocks have diapers between them while a series of rectangular blocks runs above and below the diaper series (see fig. 22). The well needs investigation of experts.

14. Khazna Dherai 8 (Fteha) Dherai

and

Paty

Khazna Dherai (see fig. 23) is situated 600 meters north of Ghundheray on the right bank of Gundal (Kunal) hill-torrent in the area of Chatya, a tributary of Maini. It is situated at latitude 3407'44.29" north and longitude 7236'42.77" east on an elevation of 391 metres above the sea level. The top of this mound is covered with cultivated land but the south-western part is not yet levelled where traces of fresh robber trenches are observed. These trenches produce two kind of masonry; diaper masonry below the ashlars masonry. It has monastic cells where no traces of stpa can be seen while the name of the area, Chatya (Chaitya?), presents the idea of certain stpa at this mound. Robbers reported Buddhist period antiquity with the inclusion of HinduShahi material. Nearby fields produce different kind of pottery, figurines and beads in semi-precious stones. Another mound, named as Paty (Fteha) Dherai, is lying in the northwest of Khazna Dherai (see fig. 23). It lies on the eastern side of Maini-Pabii route. This mound is located at latitude 3737'52.31" north and longitude 7236'31.09" east and on an elevation of 398 metres above the sea level. Paty (Fteha) Dherai produces the same material as comes from Khazna Dherai.

Fig. 22. Structure of eelor (Lanay) well.

Other archaeological sites of the same name are reported by Ali (2003) from Peshawar-Charsadda alignment (pp. 138, 215), Charsadda-Mohmand Agency alignment (pp. 144, 228), Hund-Jehangira alignment (pp. 145, 232), Shahbazgarhi-Palai alignment (pp. 162, 270), Shewa-Rustam alignment (pp. 167, 280).

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starting from the Indo-Greeks up to the Hindu Shahi period. Two other famous sites are located in its south across the Pol torrent and are named as Ghukhto ab (Nanda Dherai) and Palya Mound but they are not included in Maini valley.

Fig. 23. Google image of Khazna Dherai and Paty (Fteha) Dherai.

15. Tlk Dherai On the eastern side of Khazna Dherai across the Gundal (Kunal) hill-torrent another mound can be seen which is named as Tlk Dherai. It is located at latitude 3407'49.83" north and longitude 7237'00.00" east on an elevation of 378 metres above the sea level. It lies beside the old Tlk route which connects Maini with Malkandai (modern Malik Abad) and Gadoon belt. It produces different kind of pottery, figurines and beads in semiprecious stones and terracotta. 16. Shakrai Dherai 9 The site (see fig. 24) is laying 2 and half kilometres south of Maini in Shakrai Bna beside the ancient route that connects Maini with opi, Tarbela and Gadoon alignment. This 8 metres high mound measures 37 metres from north to south and 24 metres from east to west. It is located at latitude 3405'43.85" north and longitude 7236'52.52" east on an elevation of 373 metres above the sea level. Gundal (Kunal) torrent flows in its west and Pol torrent flows in the south. The nearby western fields produce cultural remains up to a distance of 300 meters. Antiquities such as potsherds, beads, bangles, coins, terracotta figurines and sculptures were recovered from the site. The antiquities show that the site was probably occupied for a long period
9

Fig: 24. North-western side of Shakrai Dherai.

17. Kas Dherai 10 (Zarn Abd) Kas Dherai is located near Zarn Abd beside the main road leading to Maini village. It lies 3 kilometres southsouthwest of Maini village. It is located at latitude 3405'44.57" north and longitude 7235'15.96" east and on an elevation of 363 metres above the sea level. Most part of the mound has been already bulldozed for cultivated land and exposed structures made of different masonry. Large number sculptures, coins, beads and other cultural materials have been recovered from the site. 18. Other Scattered Archaeological Sites in Maini Valley Several other scattered archaeological sites can be observed at Maini valley (see fig. 25). The cultivated lands between Ko Dherai and Shakrai Dherai have certain traces of buried monuments. Cultural material was reported during ploughing the fields. These fields can be seen on both sides of the track that connects Shakrai Dherai with Gadoon belt and on the right
10

Reported by Ali (2003: 147, 236).

Reported by Ali (2003: 147, 235)

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bank of Polah hill-torrent. Another place, known as Shlizara, is lying on the western side of old Maini-opi route and on the eastern side of Slai Dherai which produces large number of potsherds and stone utensils. Gahai, another cultivated land, is of archaeological interest which is situated in the western populated area of Maini. It lies on the western side of the main road, on the northern side of MainiBj route and on the southern side of the famous spring (Chna & Jaba). Mostly large number of potsherds was reported from this area. Another important area of Maini is known as hundheray located on the eastern side of Ajumair Hill. Structures and antiquities can be found all over this area.

Fig. 25. Google image of other scattered sites at Maini valley.

Conclusion The recent archaeological explorations at Maini valley has resulted the discovery of a good number of new archaeological sites dating from at least the early Historic period to at least the Hindu Shahi period. Most of these archaeological remains are looted by the illegal diggers but there are still many very well preserved sites that need to be scientifically investigated to preserve the cultural heritage of the area.

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References Ahmad, K.S. 1969. A Geography of Pakistan. Karachi. Ali, Ihsan. 2003. Frontier Archaeology, Vol. 1. Peshawar. Caroe, O. 1959. The Pathans. Oxford. Dani, A. H. 2001. History of Northern Areas of Pakistan (Upto 2000 AD). Lahore. Khan, S.N. 1995. Report on the Archaeological Survey of Swabi District. Ancient Pakistan, Vol. XI: 75-174. Khan, S.N. 2000. Zair-e-Khk: sre Hazara (Urdu translation). Lahore. Mian Said Rasool Rasa. 1993. Armaghne-Khushl (Pushto translation). Peshawar. Nasim Khan, M. 2006. Treasures from Kashmir Smast (The Earliest aiva Monastic Establishment). Peshawar. Qureshi, I. H. 1967. A Short History of Pakistan. Karachi. Sher, F. 1993-94. Architectural Remains of Gangu Dher (Aziz Dheri). Peshawar University Teachers Association Journal: 18-25 Spooner, D.B. 1917-18. Annual Report: Archaeological Survey of India, Frontier Circle. Stein, A. 1927. Alexander's Campaign on the Indian North-West Frontier: Notes from Explorations between Upper Swt and the Indus. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 70, No. 5. Blackwell Publishing. Stein, M.A. 1929. On Alexander Track to the Indus. London. Vevill, Captain H. L. 1977. Campaigns on the North-West Frontier. Lahore.

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Fig. 26. Grinding stone and pestles from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 27. Metal objects and arrow heads from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 28. Beads in stones from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 29. Other beads in semi-precious stones from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 30. Beads of Lapis lazuli from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 31. Decorated terracotta beads found at Murdu Dherai.

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Fig. 32. Bronze mirror from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 33. Highly decorated finger rings of different metals from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 35. Terracotta figurines from Murdu Dherai. Fig. 34. Small sized metal pot with a lid from Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 36. Debbar found at Murdu Dherai.

Fig. 37. Antimony rods in metal from Murdu Dherai.

Gandhran Studies, vol. 3 (2009) Fig.38. Catalogue of Coins from Murdu Indo-Scythians Period No. 1. Azes II (Bopearachi 965-969) Location: Murdu Weight: 11.25g. Size: 2.7mm Material: Copper Obv: Humped bull standing to r. AZOY Rev: Lion standing to r. maharajasa rajatirajasa mahatasa ayasa. Early Kushan Period No. 2. Wima Kadphises Location: Murdu Weight: 16.15g. Size: 2.65mm Material: Copper

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2 Obv: Standing king facing l. sacrificing on altar; club and tamga in the r. field. In the margin Greek legend: BAY BAIEN Rev: Oo and humped bull to r.; nandipada in the l. field. Illegible Kharoh legend in the margin. Normally: Maharajasa rajadirajasa sarvaloga ivarasa mahivarasa vima kathphiasa tratarasa Late Kushan period No. 3. Kanishka I Provenance: Murdu Weight: 17.65g. Size: 2.7mm Material: Copper Obv: King standing r. sacrificing on alter. Defaced Bactrian legend in the margin; it generally reads: O I Rev: Goddess Nana standing r. Tamga in the r. field and Bactrian legend in the l. field reads: [NANA] 3

Small version No. 4. Kanishka I Provinenance: Murdu Weight: 4.3g Size: 1.8mm Material: Copper

Gandhran Studies, vol. 3 (2009) Obv: King standing r. sacrificing on alter. Sceptre in his l. hand. Defaced Bactrian legend in the margin; it generally reads: [O I] Rev: Mao standing l. Bactrian legend MAO in the right field. Tamga below and in the l. field No. 5. Huvishka Provinance: Murdu Weight: 15.45 Size: 2.5mm Material: Copper Obv: King holding spear, riding on elephant to right. Bactrian legend in the margin: AONANO AO OOHKI KOANO. Rev: Sun god standing to right. In the r. field Bactrian legend MIOPO. In the left field tamga. Rev: God standing r. In the r. field Bactrian legend probably AO. In the left field tamga. No. 6. Provenence: Murdu Weight: 15.35g. Size: 2.4g. Material: Copper

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6 Obv: King reclining on couch to left with one leg on lower stool ground and the other on the couch; probably hands on waist. Legend is defaced. Usually AONANO AO OOHKE KOANO Rev: Nana standing l. In the l. field Bactrian legend NANA

Seal Provenance: Murdu Dherai Material: Clay A man standing front with legs wide apart. In both his hands he holds indistinct objects. In his left, he probably holds a trident and in his right probably a mass. Probably a cloak is shown behind his head. Three dots are shown in the lover field, one in between his legs and one on other side of his legs.