Alam Bridge
group of rock carvings is one of the
most important rock carvings site in Gilgit-Baltistan region. It is situated on
the left bank of Gilgit River, about one km upstream from the confluence of
Indus-Gilgit Rivers and about one and half km further on from AlamBridge on the
main Gilgit-Skardu road. On the surface of the boulders on both sides of the
old gravel path one finds rock carvings and inscriptions in Kharoshti and
Brahmi. Ather symbols from prehistoric times right up to the post Buddhist time
are also found here.
The
petroglyphs and inscriptions seen between the Skardu road and the bank of River
Gilgit, and where more than 40 boulders of various sizes were marked which
preserved about 130 rock carvings and inscriptions. There is one fact that
emphasis at Alam bridge group of carvings is inscriptions in Kharoshti and
Brahmi. Representation of stupas and other symbols of religious nature are very
few. Similarly carvings of stupas in traditional style as known from Chilas and
Shatial are also rare. It may have started in the 4thcenturyA.D.
Inscriptions of the Alam bridge site mention a group of persons appearing under
the name of Palalo/ Palala/ Palolo between the 4th and 7th
century AD (ed. Fussman, 1978; 39-51, Hubach 1980:107). The second oldest king
of the Dards known by name, preceded only by the daradaraya mentioned at Alam
Bridge in a Kharoshti inscription (FUSSMAN 1978, NO.5, 7). Further it is very
tempting now to connect the Palolaja Bhiksus mentioned at Alam Bridge to the
Patola / Palolasahi dynasty, which would at the same time strengthen the close
relations between the kings and the Buddhist Sangha.
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