ROCK CARVINGS AND INSCRIPTIONS OF MINAR GAH: RELIGION AND VISUAL CULTURE IN THE UPPER INDUS VALLEY

Abstract

Minar Gah is located on the left bank of the Indus River in Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan. During my seven visits to the site between 2000 and 2022, I documented rock carvings and inscriptions on boulders scattered across the area. Some of the boulders at Minar Gah are almost entirely covered with rock carvings and Brahmi inscriptions.   Although the Brahmi inscriptions have been catalogued, many of the carvings have received little attention. This paper deals with the prehistoric and historic rock art of Minar Gah, including animal figures, hunting scenes, warriors, dancers, stupas, a linga, trident-like symbols and other motifs. I also discuss the dancing scenes and Shaiva imagery, drawing comparisons with rock carvings documented elsewhere in the Upper Indus Valley and during my fieldwork in Sindh and Balochistan. The carvings and inscriptions record different forms of activity at Minar Gah and offer material for understanding the cultural and religious history of the Upper Indus Valley.