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{{Short description|Predominantly Buddhist ancient Indian cultural site in Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Sacred Rock of Hunza
| image = Sacred Rock of Hunza 1.jpg
| image_size = 270px
| caption = One of the sacred rocks of Hunza
| locmapin = South_Asia#Pakistan#Kashmir
| map_relief = yes
| map_width =
| map_caption =
| map_dot_mark =
| coordinates = {{coord|36.3131816|N|74.6860350|E|region:DE_type:city}}
| location = [[Hunza District|Hunza]], [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], [[Pakistan]]
| area = [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]
| formed = 1st Millennium AD
| restored_by = [[Government of Pakistan]]
| owner = Commissioner of Northern Areas, Director of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan
}}

The '''Sacred Rock of Hunza ''' is carved rock as well as a cultural heritage site in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], [[Pakistan]]. The carvings on the rock dates back to the 1st Millennium AD. The rock is on a top of a hill which lies in east to the [[Hunza River]]. The site is on the main Karakoram Highway (KKH) in between Ganish village and Attabad Lake. The rock is divided into two parts, once there used to be some Buddhist shelter caves which fell over time. The rock is one of the major tourist attractions in Gilgit-Baltistan.<ref name="Sacred Rock"/>

==Location==
The sacred rock is located in place called '''Haldeikish''' near to the small town of Karimabad in [[Hunza Valley]]. The site is on top of a Hill which is at the left bank of the river Hunza.<ref name="Sacred Rock">{{cite web|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0004/000420/042046eb.pdf |title= UNESDoc (UNESCO)|website=Unesdoc.unesco.org |date= |accessdate=2014-07-05}}</ref> The rock is 30 feet high and 200 yards long. It is easily accessible from the [[Karakoram Highway]] which connects Pakistan with [[China]]. It is an isolated rock which is further divided into two portions.

==Specifications==
The Sacred Rock is divided into two portions, an upper portion and a lower one. Both the portions carry carvings on them which are basically inscriptions and images from Pre-Historic era. There used to be many Buddhist shelter caves in ancient times which later collapsed or fell over the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/pakistan/attractions/sacred-rocks-at-hunza/a/poi-sig/501862/357183|title=Sacred Rocks at Hunza - Ganish, Pakistan Ganish|website=Lonelyplanet.com|accessdate=13 February 2019}}</ref>

===Upper Portion===
The upper portion of the rock consist of inscriptions which are carved in Sogdian, Kharosthi, Brahmi, Sarada and Proto Sarada languages. The names of the Emperors of the [[Kushan Empire]] [[Kanishka]] and [[Huvishka]] appear in these inscriptions. The name of the Trukha King Ramadusa is also mentioned in inscriptions which are carved in the [[Brahmi script]].<ref name="Sacred Rock"/>

===Lower Portion===
The lower portion is engraved by the images of [[Ibex]]es. These ibexes are shown in different situations, including being hunted. The carvings also contain Horned-Human deities playing with the ibexes. The carvings of the Ibexes are a proof of the ibex being an animal which holds cultural importance to [[Buddhists]] as well as to the region in ancient times. One of the carvings also shows the image of an ancient Chinese King. Some carvings show a Tibetan styled Stupa.<ref name="Sacred Rock"/>

=== Inscription mentioning Chandragupta II ===
The inscription mentioning [[Chandragupta II]] of [[Gupta Empire|Gupta empire]] reads <nowiki>''Chandra Sri Vikramaditya conquers’'</nowiki> with a date corresponding to 419 AD.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HALDEIKISH, Sacred Rocks of Hunza|url=https://www.hunzabytes.com.au/history/haldeikish-sacred-rocks-of-hunza/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Hunza Bytes|language=en}}</ref> If Chandra is identified with Chandragupta, it appears that Chandragupta marched through the [[Punjab region]], and advanced up to the country of the Vahlikas, that is, [[Balkh]] in present-day Afghanistan.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1981|p=56}} The Sanskrit inscriptions at the Sacred Rock of Hunza, written in [[Gupta script]], mention the name Chandra. A few of these inscriptions also mention the name Harishena, and one particular inscription mentions Chandra with the epithet "Vikramaditya". Based on the identification of "Chandra" with Chandragupta, and Harishena with the Gupta courtier [[Harishena]], these inscriptions can be considered as further evidence of a Gupta military campaign in the area. However, this identification is not certain, and Chandra of the Hunza inscriptions could have well been a local ruler.{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2008|p=480}}

==Preservation==
The Sacred Rock of Hunza is a Cultural Heritage Site of Pakistan and is currently well preserved but still some the carvings carrying inscriptions are effected due to aging. There were many Buddhist shelter caves which fell over time and no more exist. Commissioner of Northern Areas of Pakistan and Director of Archaeology are responsible for the preservation of the site, both acting under the [[Government of Pakistan]]. Due to recent flooding in [[Hunza River]] the site faces extreme danger in future.<ref name="Sacred Rock"/>

== See also ==
{{commons category|Sacred Rock of Hunza}}
*[[List of forts in Pakistan]]
*[[List of museums in Pakistan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author=R. C. Majumdar |author-link=R. C. Majumdar |title=A Comprehensive History of India |volume=3, Part I: A.D. 300-985 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mRBuAAAAMAAJ |year=1981 |publisher=Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House |oclc=34008529}}
* {{cite book |author=Upinder Singh |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pq2iCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA505 |year=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-1677-9}}
{{ref end}}

{{Museums in Pakistan}}
{{Cultural heritage sites in Gilgit-Baltistan |state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Archaeological sites in Gilgit-Baltistan]]
[[Category:History of Gilgit-Baltistan]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Gilgit-Baltistan]]
[[Category:Sacred rocks]]

Sacred Rock of Hunza - Revision history

imported>BattyBot: /* Bibliography */General fixes, removed stub tag