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NameThe name Kashmir Smast comes from the local belief that the caves lead to Kashmir. It may also refer to the ancient Hindu complex that surrounds the caves.
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ArtifactsCoins, seals, and other art objects found in the region indicate that the caves and valley were a sovereign kingdom.
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Archaeological surveysIn 2001, the Archaeological Department of Peshawar University began excavating the caves after art objects from the region began appearing on the art market.
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Cave structureThe cave is a natural sanctuary with two inner chambers that are up to 33 meters high and about 180 meters long. The cave also has minor cave shelters, sanctuaries, a small temple, a monastery, and water reservoirs.
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InscriptionAn inscription found in the cave contains nine symbols of the Scythian alphabet, which may date to the 5th or 6th century CE.
- Description
It is the largest cave monuments in the Mardan District located on the crest of the Paja mountain, which towers 2067 m over the Sadam valley to the north-east of Katlang. Its etymology is based on the popular legend that one of the tunnels with the cave leads ultimately to Kashmir. The cave is exceedingly lofty and spacious with two turns in its long corridor. The first section is illuminated by day light which streams in through the entrance. On either side of this corridor lie heaps of ruins along the walls which would appear to be the remains of dwellings on cloister, used by the priests or monks whose temple it was. It would seem that probably a huge image of the Buddha must have occupied this site. There is a dim vast hall beyond and a side cave from which a broken flight of steps leads to another small chamber adjoining the central hall and from which a narrow tunnel can be entered on hands and knees and to which is ascribed the legend of its name. The monastic buildings inside the cave are difficult of access in so much as the cave is not hewn out by the human hand; but the cave presents a magnificent natural cathedral and must certainly have appealed to the somewhat grotesque mind of the Buddhist monks. The structure of the wall, alcoves and windows are exactly similar to those at Takht-i-Bahi and undoubtedly of the Greco-Buddhist period. The only inscription found here bears nine different symbols of the Scythian alphabet found on the Indo-Sassanian coins and may be attributed to the time of the little Yuchi in the fifth and sixth century CE.