Sharda: The Glory of The Past and The Preservation of Ancient Site in Azad Kashmir

Abstract

The Sharda Temple, known as ancient “Buddhist University” or “Sharda Peeth” and its construction is associated with King Jaloka, the popular Buddhist ruler of Kashmir. This temple is in Neelum Valley 130 km away from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir. Amongst all other places in Muzaffarabad Division, this is much jubilant place which popularly narrated in history, religion, culture, ethnicity and geostrategic significance being located on LoC between India and Pakistan in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It is evidence that this land remained center of Buddhism religious studies and place of special worship. These ruins invite the researchers to explore the splendid past of this fabulous historical monument of Kashmir. Although it is a very significant place but like other historical places, the Sharda temple has also been demolished and obliterated in the last 77 years, no remarkable work has been done to improve its position and preservation of this national asset. This study is to highlight the significance of ancient university at Sharda but also explore the potential value of this monument.