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Gondrani (), also known as Shehr-e-Roghan (), is an
The exact history of the town is not known, nor who built the caves. Historians believe that the town was once a large Buddhist monastery dating back to the eighth century, when the region was part of a Buddhist kingdom. André Wink in his book ''Early Medieval India and the Expansion of Islam: 7th-11th Centuries'' states that:
According to another source, ''Journal of the Society for South Asian Studies'', the site cannot be conclusively linked to Buddhist heritage, though it does show Buddhist characteristics:
archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or recorded history, historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline ...
near the town of Bela
Bela may refer to:
Places Asia
*Bela Pratapgarh, a town in Pratapgarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Bela, a small village near Bhandara, Maharashtra, India
*Bela, another name for the biblical city Zoara
* Bela, Dang, in Nepal
*Bela, Janakpur, ...
in Balochistan, Pakistan
Balochistan (; ; , ) is a province of Pakistan. Located in the southwestern region of the country, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan by land area but is the least populated one. It is bordered by the Pakistani provinces of Khybe ...
. Situated to the north of the town of Bela and approximately from Karachi
Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
, it lies within the Lasbela District
Lasbela District ( , , ) is a coastal district and part of the Kalat Division situated in the south-east of Balochistan, Pakistan. Located approximately northwest of Karachi, the district is geographically and economically significant.
A ...
. Renowned for its unique features, the site is also known by several evocative names, including the Cave City of Lasbela, the Cave Dwellings of Gondrani, the House of the Spirits, and the town of Mai Gondrani.
History
The exact history of the town is not known, nor who built the caves. Historians believe that the town was once a large Buddhist monastery dating back to the eighth century, when the region was part of a Buddhist kingdom. André Wink in his book ''Early Medieval India and the Expansion of Islam: 7th-11th Centuries'' states that:
According to another source, ''Journal of the Society for South Asian Studies'', the site cannot be conclusively linked to Buddhist heritage, though it does show Buddhist characteristics:
The Geographical Journal
''The Geographical Journal'' is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). It publishes papers covering research on all aspects of geography. It also publishes shorter ...
agrees that the caves are of Buddhist origin:
Caves of Gondrani
The Caves of Gondrani are locally known as ''Puraney Ghaar'', simply translating to ‘Old Caves’. (), They are carved into solid conglomerate rocks at several levels, and are connected by pathways. All the caves have small rooms with hearths and wall niches for lamps, along with verandahs or front porches. During British rule, around 1500 caves were reported, but now only 500 remain. The caves are in poor condition and are slowly eroding. No conservation efforts have been made to protect the site due to poor accessibility and lack of knowledge of the archaeological site.Legends
Many local legends are associated with the town. One relates the story of a king and his daughter, named Badiul Jamal, during the reign of kingSolomon
Solomon (), also called Jedidiah, was the fourth monarch of the Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy), Kingdom of Israel and Judah, according to the Hebrew Bible. The successor of his father David, he is described as having been the penultimate ...
, who was haunted by demons. Many heroes came to free her and failed, but eventually Prince Saif-ul-Muluk killed the demons and freed her. According to another legend, the demons and evil spirits inhabiting the mountain would torment and feed on the flesh of the people of Gondrani. An old holy woman named ''Mai Gondrani'' sacrificed herself to kill the demons and free the town people. In another version, the pious lady exorcised the town and lived there until her death. The woman is buried nearby; her burial place is a well-known local shrine.
See also
* Archaeological sites in LasbellaReferences
{{Balochistan, Pakistan topics Lasbela District Archaeological sites in Balochistan, Pakistan