Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Swat Valley / Gumbat Stupa, Barikot
Field guide · Heritage
Swat
Swat District · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Gumbat Stupa, Barikot
Gumbat Stupa is a Buddhist stupa located in the Swat Valley, Pakistan, about 9 kilometers south of Birkot in the Kandag Valley.
Gumbat Stupa dates back to the 2nd century CE and was first recorded by A. Stein in 1930. The stupa and surrounding area were excavated by various archaeologists over time. The ruins cover an area of 1500 meters by 1000 meters and were restored between 2011-2012, with 25% of the terrace excavated. Radiocarbon dating confirms that the structures were built in the 2nd century. The main stupa, located in the lower zone, has a 17-meter plinth and features a double-domed cupola. It is surrounded by more than 20 smaller stupas.
Why go
- ✦A 2nd-century stupa with a 17-metre plinth and a double-domed cupola
- ✦More than 20 smaller stupas around it
- ✦Restored in 2011–12; first recorded by Aurel Stein in 1930
Current Condition
The Gumbat Stupa near Birkot is a protected archaeological site under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Antiquities Act, managed by the Provincial Directorate of Archaeology & Museums. While the Gandharan-era Buddhist site is accessible, it requires enhanced conservation efforts to safeguard its structural integrity from environmental and human- induced damage.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, April–May or late September to November. Gumbat near Barikot has a rare double-domed shrine, restored in 2011–12 and surrounded by more than twenty small stupas; its open terrace is hot at midsummer and muddy in the monsoon.
Getting there, Near Barikot, Swat; the site is protected and accessible.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Gumbat Stupa, Barikot, within 5 km.
