Description : The Kashmir Smast (Urdu: کشمیر سمست) caves, also called Kashmir Smats (کشمیر سمتس), are a series of natural limestone caves, artificially expanded from the Kushan to the Shahi periods, situated in the Pirsai Sakrah mountains in the Sudam Valley Mardan in Northern Pakistan. According to recent scholarship based on a rare series of bronze coins and artifacts found in the region, the caves and their adjacent valley probably comprised a sovereign kingdom in Gandhara which maintained at least partial independence for almost 500 years, from c. 4th century AD to the 9th century AD. For most of its history, it was ruled by White Hun (or Hephthalite) governors or princes. The current research investigations at the site that have been carrying out by Professor Meritorious Dr. M. Nasim Khan (TI), a re-known historian and archaeologist, has shown that the site remained the earliest Hindu university or learning institution in South Asia. According to Dr. M. Nasim Khan, this area may have hosted and fed thousands of students and gurus at least from the 2nd century BC to 10th century AD. He claims that Kashmir Smast area remained an independent entity with its own monetary system and cultural and religious environment.
See on map »