DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36942#0312
pas, human figures and animals (photo 3 and 4, fig 1-16).
The eight representations of jfapas vary in size and shape. The simplest
one (fig 1) consists of one base, the ap6?a and theyayp with two c/taffras.
Two others (fig 4 and 10) have a two-step base with stairs, above the
apJa, six c/t aUras and, separated by a space, a rain cover (varya^Aa/t) at
the top. The biggest jfapa (8g 14) shows furthermore supporting poles
between the cAaffras and two rows of dots underneath them, maybe in-
dicating flags. The two storeys of the base are divided by vertical lines,
probably meant for pilasters. Finally there is one jfapa, whose sugarloaf-
like shape is completely different from the others (fig 3). It is surround-
ed by a line of dots and on its top three cAaffras are visible. To its left
side a small animal (a caprinus?) is depicted.
Besides the jfapas there are also some drawings of men and riders.
They are executed in a very simple manner with few brushstrokes. Two
men are depicted with arms akimbo (fig 11 and 12), the first one ob-
viously belonging to one of the jfapas (fig 10). Finally there are two
archers (fig 5 and 15) and three(?) horsemen (fig 7-9), the latter in a
very poor state of conservation.
When we search some comparative material for the paintings of Nokko-
no Ghwand, the thousands of -sttrpa carvings on the Indus valley rocks
deserve the first view. Besides the beautiful, richly decorated specimens,
in Chiias I, Thalpan I and Shatial, the simple drawings, executed with
only few strokes, have the major share. Two examples in Chiias I and
Chiias IV (Sg 17 and 18) show - like those from Nokkono Ghwand -
a number of cAaffras, a detail otherwise rarely depicted among these
schematic carvings. Unfortunately there are no inscriptions related to
these ^Arpas, which would give an indication for the dating, but generally
such slim, towerlike .stupas are late.
In the immediate neighbourhood is the Kafir Kot site consisting of more
than 200 votive stupas, a main huge sfapa, a monastery and a settle-
ment, which unfortunately have been destroyed by treasure hunters. The
traces of this destruction were already visible when Sir Aurel Stein visit-
ed the sites in 1926.^ The ruins are scattered over an area covering
more than a square kilometre. Two reliefs from here, now in the collec-
tions of the British Museum, date from the end of the first century AD
actual position from right to left.
6 A. STEtN, On Alexander's track to the Indus, London 1929, p 17f.
214
The eight representations of jfapas vary in size and shape. The simplest
one (fig 1) consists of one base, the ap6?a and theyayp with two c/taffras.
Two others (fig 4 and 10) have a two-step base with stairs, above the
apJa, six c/t aUras and, separated by a space, a rain cover (varya^Aa/t) at
the top. The biggest jfapa (8g 14) shows furthermore supporting poles
between the cAaffras and two rows of dots underneath them, maybe in-
dicating flags. The two storeys of the base are divided by vertical lines,
probably meant for pilasters. Finally there is one jfapa, whose sugarloaf-
like shape is completely different from the others (fig 3). It is surround-
ed by a line of dots and on its top three cAaffras are visible. To its left
side a small animal (a caprinus?) is depicted.
Besides the jfapas there are also some drawings of men and riders.
They are executed in a very simple manner with few brushstrokes. Two
men are depicted with arms akimbo (fig 11 and 12), the first one ob-
viously belonging to one of the jfapas (fig 10). Finally there are two
archers (fig 5 and 15) and three(?) horsemen (fig 7-9), the latter in a
very poor state of conservation.
When we search some comparative material for the paintings of Nokko-
no Ghwand, the thousands of -sttrpa carvings on the Indus valley rocks
deserve the first view. Besides the beautiful, richly decorated specimens,
in Chiias I, Thalpan I and Shatial, the simple drawings, executed with
only few strokes, have the major share. Two examples in Chiias I and
Chiias IV (Sg 17 and 18) show - like those from Nokkono Ghwand -
a number of cAaffras, a detail otherwise rarely depicted among these
schematic carvings. Unfortunately there are no inscriptions related to
these ^Arpas, which would give an indication for the dating, but generally
such slim, towerlike .stupas are late.
In the immediate neighbourhood is the Kafir Kot site consisting of more
than 200 votive stupas, a main huge sfapa, a monastery and a settle-
ment, which unfortunately have been destroyed by treasure hunters. The
traces of this destruction were already visible when Sir Aurel Stein visit-
ed the sites in 1926.^ The ruins are scattered over an area covering
more than a square kilometre. Two reliefs from here, now in the collec-
tions of the British Museum, date from the end of the first century AD
actual position from right to left.
6 A. STEtN, On Alexander's track to the Indus, London 1929, p 17f.
214