Buddhist Period Sites Reported from Malakpur Area, Tehsil Gadaizi, District Buner (Pakistan)

Abstract

The area around Malakpur Village of district Buner represents one of the richest archaeological landscapes of Buner and ancient Uddiyana, containing a diverse assemblage of Buddhist-period heritage. Recent investigations have identified a series of Buddhist stupas, rock carvings, monastic remains, and associated settlement traces spread across the hilly terrain of Ilam, Beshunai, Malakpur, Pir Baba, and adjacent localities. This article synthesizes all available archaeological data from the documented survey, focusing specifically on Buddhist-period sites — Kafero Dherai Stupa, Ramanrai, Gogai Stupa, the three Bangosar Carvings, Ilam Kalai, Alaksar, and Gogai Stupa. The study highlights their geographical settings, structural characteristics, architectural typologies, state of preservation, and their significance within the Buddhist cultural sphere of Buner. Through comparative analysis with other regional monuments, especially those of Swat, the article situates these sites chronologically and culturally within the broader landscape of Uddiyana, Gandhara and Kushan-period Buddhism.