Rock Art in Lahul: An Ethno-Archaeological Enquiry

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In the remote valleys of Lahul, time has left its mark-not in monuments of grandeur, but in humble carvings on stone. These prehistoric rock art sites, scattered across the high-altitude terrain, speak of ancient travelers, spiritual journeys, and the deep-rooted resilience of mountain communities.

This book is a time pursuit-an effort to discover, document, and preserve these traces of early life in Lahul. Weaving together archaeological evidence, oral traditions, and local narratives, it offers a rare glimpse into the lived experiences of those who shaped the land with their hands and hearts.

Amidst a rapidly changing landscape, the book calls for a communityled model of conservation that honours the cultural memory of the people deeply connected to their environment.

With a focus on both prominent and newly discovered rock art sites, this work will resonate with students, scholars, artists, and all those who seek to understand the spirit of the Himalayas. For the people of Lahul, it is a tribute a reminder that their stories, carved in stone, still speak.

Dr. Vijay Kumar Bodh is an Assistant Archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India. He earned his doctorate in Social Anthropology from Panjab University, Chandigarh, with research grounded in the Himalayan region. His academic pursuits encompass development studies, ethnography, and ethno-archaeology, with a particular emphasis on indigenous communities and their relationship with the landscape.

Dr. Bodh has published over ten research papers in leading journals and has contributed chapters to various edited volumes. His work reflects a commitment to bridging academic inquiry with community-based knowledge systems, especially in the context of cultural heritage preservation.

The glacial melts flowing across the Lahul Valley have been called by various names. In the Rigveda, the Chandra-Bhaga of the region has been addressed as Askini for its dark colour. Upon its entry into Jammu & Kashmir, it is referred to as Chenab. Despite the fact that 'temporal' and 'spatial' limitations have attributed such variations in vocabulary. Himalayan waters have carved out its identity beyond time and space. Similarly, Lahul as a geopolitical and socio-cultural landscape has its niche engraved through an uneven course in history. Surviving inhospitable terrains, dearth of resources, and hardships.

Alike river waters, the folk tradition has been called by various names throughout history. The land and people sustained the exclusive character notwithstanding a series of acculturation, diffusion and modernization across its valleys Tinnan/Ranglo, Gahar, Pattan, Miyar, and sTod. The archaeology of Lahul is under-explored when compared to neighbouring Spiti and Ladakh region. Owing to a wealth of rock art sites, prehistoric burial sites, archaeological remnants of forts and monasteries, murals and fossil sites. Spiti and Ladakh have been frequented by motivated academicians from all across the globe. Research projects at various levels are being carried out to understand the past of these regions. Rock art and burial sites have been an important link in exploring the forgotten past.

The archaeology of Lahul has immense scope. It has been historically significant. The region has been a pilgrimage site at the cross-roads of ancient trade and socio-cultural evolution. Rock art in the region, though less explored, holds potential for reconstructing historical narratives. Globally, rock art sites have been associated to shaman rituals, festivals, artistic expressions and hunting practices. Rock art sites have been instrumental in offering a multi-dimensional view of the past. Lahul is on the cusp of realizing its potential in rock art. Given the fact that recent 'development" changes in the region have fast-tracked socio-economic transformations, it is high time that its antiquity and heritage be documented in an adequate manner for future reference. The built heritage and archaeological sites of the region urges for exploration, documentation and protection.

The economy of the region has been affected by and adapted to geo-political changes. Long distance trade with Tibet came to a halt after the Sino-Indian war. Experiments with cash crops yielded good results and now the opening of Atal Rohtang tunnel has enhanced the rate of socio-economic and ecological shifts. Widening of roads and construction of new buildings are a need of the hour. However, it is essential for the academicians to pursue adequate field explorations, identify and document potential sites of archaeological and cultural importance. Earmarking such potential sites could be beneficial in defending the historical relevance of the region.

A new rock art site in Lahul has been reported in the book. With an attempt to avoid subjective bias an interpretative analysis of the rock art depictions has been carried out. The book aims to draw back the antiquity of the region by bridging gaps in the broader schema of ancient practice associated to hunting, barter-trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Connecting the land and the people to larger web of historical interactions, and promote new findings and enrich better understanding of prehistoric cultural and economic networks.

The present work emphasizes the need to expand beyond the available published works. Introduce new perspectives on archaeology of Lahul and Spiti and develop scholarly interest in the region. Archaeological and anthropological explorations in the region shall benefit in better understanding the region and its past. As discussed previously, socio-cultural and socio-economic changes induced by 'development' has been acquiring pace, now is the best time to explore and document.

Unravelling individual layers of history is an almost impossible task, as the intertwined nature of its past defies straightforward separation. Over time, travellers, scholars, and missionaries have documented social, economic, and cultural aspects of the tribal society.

These records, based on personal interactions, lived experiences, observations of tangible and intangible heritage, provide a first-hand insight into the historical narrative of Lahul. Research articles, books, and gazetteers have also been instrumental in offering an overview of the social system and history. Built heritage-temples, sacred sites, forts, and trade routes have also been crucial lens to re-visit the past and re-live social, religious, and economic dynamics of the past. Ancient inscriptions on temples have been precise evidences for re-constructing historical events. Iconographic analyses of frescos, sculptures, and architectural elements are vital in determining chronological frameworks and the religious affiliations of historical communities. In conjunction, such diverse sources have contributed in holistic understanding of Lahul's rich and layered history.

Lahul along with Spiti forms one of the twelve districts in Himachal Pradesh. Culturally and geographically set apart by socio-cultural features and high mountain passes, the two tribal regions have been paired onto one district for administrative explanations. Despite, the differences the two neighbouring regions - Spiti and Lahul have remained in close contact for exchange of trade goods, ideas and cultural values.

The tribal region in the north-western Himalayas is situated on the fringes of Himachal Pradesh. The region is situated along the ancient trade route stretching beyond Kullu, Ladakh, Zanskar, Chamba, Kinnaur and Tibet. Lahul, nestled in the Trans-Himalayan region, surrounded by the lofty peaks of the Kunzum Range and cut through by the Chandra and Bhaga rivers which later converge to form the Chenab. The region's geography is marked by stark contrasts arid, sparse vegetation in Spiti and more verdant, forested valleys in Lahul. Historically, the harsh terrains issued limited accessibility. An altitude ranging 2,500 to 4,500 meters above sea level, defines the cold desert climate with scarce rainfall, heavy snowfalls in winter, and wide temperature fluctuations.

Lahul/Garsha, also known as Lha-yul-the land of high mountain passes is land-locked from all directions. Shingo La (50912 m) and Baralacha La 4850 m) divides Lahul from Zanskar and Ladakh respectively towards the North. Kunzum La (4551 m) towards East acts a barrier between Spiti and Lahul; Sach Pass (4414 m) in the South from Chamba and Rohtang La (3978 m) in the South-West divides Lahul from Kullu. A small window of three to four months during summers allowed the travelers to cross the natural barrier, until the opening of the Atal Rohtang Tunnel in October, 2020. Despite geo-climatic challenges; traders, spiritual practitioners, travelers, warriors, and missionaries have frequented the land-locked Lahul in the past. Lahul is classified in to five major valleys on the basis of geographical and cultural grounds. Chandra-Bhaga (Chenab) is the major river, the two rivers Chandra and Bhaga originating from Chandrataal lake diverts onto hilly tracts to meet at Tandi confluence. The region adjoining Chandra River has been broadly named as Chandra valley. Similarly, the area adjoining Bhaga River is called Bhaga valley and the region falling beyond the confluence is called Chandra-Bhaga valley. Chandra valley comprises of Ranglo and Tinnan valley. The region from Koksar to Sissu falls under Ranglo valley. The region from Shashin to Tandi falls under Tinnan valley. Similarly, region from Chika-ri-ri, Darcha towards Gemur falls under sTod valley and region beyond up till Tandi is known as Gahar valley. Area after the confluence of Chandra-Bhaga is also known as Manchad/Pattan valley till Udaipur. Beyond Udaipur the river enters Chamba district from where it enters Jammu and is known as Chenab.