MURAL PAINTINGS FROM BUDDHIST MONASTIC COMPLEX OF ABBA SAHIB CHEENA, SWAT, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN: HISTORY OF DISCOVERY, TECHNIQUES AND DIFFUSION

Abstract

The Buddhist Monastic Complex of Abba Sahib Cheena (or Abbasaheb-China) stands as one of the most significant Buddhist sites within the Swat Valley. The site was discovered by Aurel Stein in the 1930s. However, the first systematic excavation was conducted by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the site. It has unveiled an array of remarkable archaeological remnants, including various structures and movable artifacts. Particularly intriguing, the most captivating finds from the Abba Sahib Cheena site are the mural paintings. These paintings depict monks, bejeweled disciples, and a winged Eros, forming the central focus of this paper. They were discovered adorning the ceiling of an archway, potentially utilized as a meditation cell, as well as on the brackets of a chapel. These paintings have been executed using red and dark green hues, these dry-fresco paintings provide a striking visual representation. A concerted effort has been made to comprehend the themes and techniques underpinning these paintings through a comparative analysis.