Shahbaz Garhi

Shahbaz Garhi,orShahbazgarhi,is a village and historic site located inMardan DistrictofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan.It is at an altitude of 293 metres (964 feet).

Shahbaz Garhi

Shown within Pakistan
Location	Pakistan
Region	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Coordinates	34.235556°N 72.16°E/34.235556; 72.16

It is about 12 km fromMardan city.It has mountains, green trees, open fields and a small river in the centre of the village.

In old times all these facilities made it attractive for the army and travelers to dig in their tents here, stay for few days and organize their further strategy. The historic Stones of Ashoka (commonly known to the native people by the name of Hkule Gutt), and other sites like Mekha Sanda (male buffalo, female buffalo) are worth visiting.

Location

Shahbaz Garhi is situated on the junction of three ancient routes;

1. KabultoPushkalavati(modernCharsadda)
2. SwatthroughBuner
3. TaxilathroughHundon the bank ofIndus River.

Situated on the modernMardan-SwabiRoad, the town was once a thrivingBuddhistcity surrounded by monasteries andstupas.

Ancient rock edicts

Ashokan inscriptions

Main articles:Edicts of AshokaandMajor Rock Edicts

Detail ofEdicts of AshokaXII in Shahbazgarhi, Peshawar.Kharosthiscript.

The town is the location ofancient Indianrock-inscriptionsthat are cut into two large rock boulders and written in theKharosthiscript.They retain immense historical importance, as they appear to be the first examples of writing inthe subcontinent.They were constructed during the 3rd Century BC (272-231 BC), during the reign ofAshoka,the famousMauryanemperor, inscribed in theKharoshthiscript. The rock edicts were added to theUNESCOWorld HeritageTentative List on 30 January 2004 in the Cultural category.

The translation of the text is written on a board nearby the rocks. The sight is a famous tourist spot for people who are interested in history.

The town is the location of ancient rock-inscriptionsthat are cut into two large rock boulders and written in theKharosthiscript.They retain immense historical importance, as they appear to be the first examples of writing in South Asia.They were constructed during the 3rd Century BC, during the reign ofAshoka,the famousMauryanemperor. The rock edicts were added to theUNESCOWorld HeritageTentative List on 30 January 2004 in the Cultural category.

• 
  Edict No.12
• 
  Edicts No.1 to No.11
• 
  Edicts No.13 and No.14
• 
  Protective housing
• 
  A rubbing of two of the inscriptions.
• 
  The words"Dhrama-Dipi"( "Inscription of theDharma") inKharosthi,in Edict No.1 of the Shahbazgarhi edicts.

External links

• Map of Gandhara archeological sites, from the Huntington Collection, Ohio State University (large file)
• Gandhari.orgComplete text of the Shahbazgarhi edicts