2,000-Year-Old Buddhist Site Discovered in Kashmir, PM Modi Calls It a ‘Proud Moment’

A significant archaeological find in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district has brought attention to the valley’s Buddhist past, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it a “proud moment” for the nation. Excavations at Zehanpora village have revealed stupas, monastic structures, and other buildings dating back roughly 2,000 years, shedding new light on Kashmir’s cultural and historical legacy.
The discovery was prompted in part by old photographs of three stupas housed in a French museum, which drew archaeologists’ attention and led to the identification of the site. Evidence suggests that Zehanpora may have functioned as a key Buddhist centre, possibly linked to the elusive Kushan capital, Huvishkapura. Drone surveys confirmed that the village’s mounds are man-made rather than natural formations, highlighting its strategic location along an ancient trade and pilgrimage route connecting Gandhara with Kashmir.
Excavations were conducted jointly by the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kashmir University. Archaeologists noted that the foundations of stupas and monastic cells resemble Gandharan layouts, indicating the region’s connection to wider Buddhist cultural networks.
Officials described the site as revealing a layered history that could reshape understanding of Kashmir’s ancient past. “Zehanpora’s rediscovery reinforces Kashmir’s historic role as a confluence of civilisations and establishes a Buddhist heritage long overshadowed by familiar historical narratives,” said a government official.
In his monthly radio programme, Man Ki Baat, PM Modi highlighted that the rare photographs in the French museum helped researchers connect the dots and confirm the historical significance of Zehanpora. He added that the discovery offers a window into Kashmir’s glorious past and serves as a strong reminder of the valley’s rich identity and enduring cultural legacy.
The find underscores the importance of continued archaeological research in the region and opens new avenues for exploring Kashmir’s role in the spread of Buddhism across South Asia.