“Kashmir has always been centre of learning and spirituality, its heritage must be preserved for future”
Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about the deep history and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir, sharing a story of an ancient Buddhist site in Baramulla that was brought back to light after decades of being ignored as natural land mounds.
During the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi said the discovery of the site shows the region’s very old civilisational links and adds to India’s pride.
For years, people in Jehanpora village saw tall uneven mounds spread across fields. Most believed these were ordinary earth formations. Their real meaning stayed hidden until an archaeologist working in the area noticed that the structures were too aligned and unusual to be natural, the Prime Minister said.
After this, experts started a scientific survey, using drones for aerial photos, and mapping the land in detail. The study confirmed that the mounds were part of a large man-made religious complex, not nature’s work.
Later, an important clue came from abroad. A very old unclear photograph stored in a French museum showed three Buddhist stupas from Baramulla. Though the image was blurred, it became a key reference point for researchers to match the site in Jehanpora with the photo and confirm its Buddhist origin, Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that the complex is around 2,000 years old, proving that Kashmir once had a strong Buddhist presence and was part of ancient cultural exchange and spiritual learning.
Modi said this find shows that Kashmir has always been more than a scenic destination, it has been a centre of ideas, spirituality and learning for centuries.
He said the role of new technology and global cooperation in rediscovering the site is an example of how history can be protected with modern tools.
The Prime Minister also said saving such heritage sites is important for the coming generations so they can understand their roots and take pride in their past.
Modi ended by saying that Jammu and Kashmir’s history carries lessons of knowledge, harmony and shared culture, which continue to inspire even today.(KNS)
