PESHAWAR: The political administration of Khyber Agency and Khyber Pakhutnkhwa’s archaeology directorate have planned to jointly undertake the first-ever archaeological survey in the tribal border agency and set up the first museum in Landi Kotal to explore and preserve the archaeological remains and prints that past invasions may have left yet still remain hidden from researchers and the world alike.

Archaeologists believe that un-explored tribal border region of Khyber Agency could help them to carry research on myths and tales about Pakhtuns’ history and redefine the same with archaeological evidences.

The stupa in Ali Masjid can be tip of an iceberg. Experts believe the first-ever survey in the tribal area could unravel archaeological remains that could prove to be blast in the academic and research work for international archaeology and redefine history of this region.

Survey to help researchers in redefining myths about Pakhtuns’ history

The office of political agent, erstwhile viewed as a lucrative post, is going to facilitate the archaeologists in exploring the tribal area to let the world know about the historical significance of the thousands of years old border tribal region of Khyber Agency, which has been route for traders and invader armies alike for centuries.

“The archaeologists will help remodel an old building, previously an assistant political agent’s office into a museum with whatever funds are available with us,” said Khyber agency Political Agent Khalid Mehmood.

The political agent, unlike his predecessors, is focusing more on opening up the tribal agency for tourists, cultural activities, festivities and archaeologists to explore and help preserve its ancient history.

There was a time when world leaders and celebrities like Shah of Iran, Mohammad Ali, US Presidents Jhon F Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, Margrette Thatcher and Princess Diana visited the tribal area in western clothes. “We want people to come here. It is not a no-go area. We want to revive its old prestige. That is why we want to have a museum that would depict and preserve the history of this region,” said Mr Mehmood.

He said that he had contacted tribal elders to share with him anything that was antique and depicted history and culture of the locals and the area. He said that the museum would be an opening of the area and its culture to the national and international visitors.

Since the political administration lacks archaeological expertise, the archaeological team of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not only going to help in setting up the tribal area’s first ever museum, it is also going to conduct a survey soon to explore places where some remains like stupas were already quite evident like the one in Ali Masjid area.

“It is going to be the first-ever initiative to hold archaeological survey in tribal area of Khyber agency. Even the British researchers did not do it,” said Dr. Abdul Samad, the director of archaeology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He predicts that since for more than 5,000 years this border region had been used as a gateway by invaders and traders, they may have left their remains which could tell more about the strategies, lifestyle and socio-economic life of the people of the area.

“This tribal area once explored could help us connect archaeological history of Pakistan and Afghanistan,” said Dr Samad.

Gandhara civilisation extended from Taxila to Bamiyaan (Afghanistan) but the tribal area was a transition area and never explored by archaeologists.

The archaeological evidences from this area could redefine history of this area and its people. It could unravel why Alexander the Great and his army chose this gate way, why the Buddhists, the British came here. Why Pakhtun tribes decided to live here.

“There are stories about decadency of Pakhtuns and their connection with Jews but there is no tangible proof. These things can be researched,” said Dr Samad while answering a query regarding the myths and legends about the origin of the people of the area.

The archaeological survey would focus on documentation of old buildings, remains and existing archaeological sites. “We would be exploring, assessing and documenting the tangible remains and then decide where to conduct excavations,” said Dr Samad.

The political agent said that he had been trying to improve facilities for the visitors in Khyber Agency. He has planned a tourist trip to the area on a double-decker bus service after Eid. He said that efforts were underway to put in place a railway track, damaged by floods in 2009, so that Khyber Steam Safari passing through some 36 tunnels could be re-started for the tourists.

The official said that he knew the legal vacuum and lack of will had often discouraged such initiatives in tribal areas but he believed in not wasting time. “We need to institutionalise such initiatives. But we can start off from somewhere. As the first step, KP archaeology can help us with technical expertise to set up a museum and conduct a survey to explore more archaeological potential of Khyber Agency,” said the official.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2016