Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Baringan (Saidu, Babuzai)
Field guide · Heritage
Baringan (Saidu, Babuzai)
Baringan, locally known as Baringal, is situated along the historical route between Saidu, Salampur (Islampur), and the Juwarai Pass.
Stein, during his 1930 survey, documented a series of Buddhist rock carvings here, featuring images of Bodhisattvas and a stupa relief. He found these carvings already damaged, yet still identifiable. Notably, he also recorded four additional Bodhisattva figures nearby, highlighting Baringan as an important yet minor Buddhist carving site within the region’s religious landscape. Additionally, close to Saidu, Stein noted ruins of a defensive wall, locally linked to the legendary Raja Gira Castle. In modern times, much of the site has been tragically destroyed: large boulders containing the carvings were reportedly blasted by members of the former Swat royal family about 20–30 years ago, to obtain stone for constructing a vehicle station near the shrine of Miangul Abdul Wadud. This act resulted in the near-total loss of Baringan’s archaeological record.
Why go
- ✦Buddhist heritage
- ✦Gandhara archaeology
- ✦history
Current Condition
Baringan's Buddhist rock carvings, recorded by Stein in 1930, were deliberately destroyed 20- 30 years ago when boulders were blasted for construction material under orders from the Swat royal family. Today, no significant carvings survive at the site, which remains completely unprotected and unmarked, with no efforts by KP Archaeology to document or memorialize what was lost.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, Year-round; confirm local conditions and any festival dates before travel.
Getting there, In or near Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; confirm current local access before visiting.
