Gondrani
Archaeological site in Balochistan, Pakistan
title: "Gondrani" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["lasbela-district", "archaeological-sites-in-balochistan,-pakistan"] description: "Archaeological site in Balochistan, Pakistan" topic_path: "philosophy" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondrani" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Archaeological site in Balochistan, Pakistan ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox ancient site"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Gondrani |
| alternate_name | Shehr-e-Roghan, Cave City of Gonrani, Cave Dwellings of Gondrani, House of the Spirits, Mai Goudrani |
| map_type | Pakistan |
| coordinates | |
| location | Bela, Balochistan, Pakistan |
| region | Balochistan |
| epochs | |
| website | |
| :: |
| name = Gondrani | native_name = | alternate_name = Shehr-e-Roghan, Cave City of Gonrani, Cave Dwellings of Gondrani, House of the Spirits, Mai Goudrani | image = | alt = | caption = | map_type = Pakistan | map_alt = | map_size = | relief = | coordinates = | location = Bela, Balochistan, Pakistan | region = Balochistan | type = | part_of = | length = | width = | area = | height = | builder = | material = | built = | abandoned = | epochs = | cultures = | dependency_of = | occupants = | event = | excavations = | archaeologists = | condition = | ownership = | management = | public_access = | website = | notes = Gondrani (), also known as Shehr-e-Roghan (), is an archaeological site near the town of Bela in Balochistan, Pakistan. Situated 20 km to the north of the town of Bela and approximately 218 km from Karachi, it lies within the Lasbela District.
History
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Cave_city_Gondhrani.jpg" caption="Cave City, Gondhrani"] ::
The exact history of the town is not known, nor who built the caves. Historians believe that the town was once a large Buddhist monastery dating back to the eighth century, when the region was part of a Buddhist kingdom. André Wink in his book Early Medieval India and the Expansion of Islam: 7th-11th Centuries states that:
According to another source, Journal of the Society for South Asian Studies, the site cannot be conclusively linked to Buddhist heritage, though it does show Buddhist characteristics:
The Geographical Journal agrees that the caves are of Buddhist origin:
Caves of Gondrani
The Caves of Gondrani are locally known as Puraney Ghaar, simply translating to ‘Old house’. (),
They are carved into solid conglomerate rocks at several levels, and are connected by pathways. All the caves have small rooms with hearths and wall niches for lamps, along with verandahs or front porches.
During British rule, around 1500 caves were reported, but now only 500 remain. The caves are in poor condition and are slowly eroding. No conservation efforts have been made to protect the site due to poor accessibility and lack of knowledge of the archaeological site and no spirit from Archeological Society of Pakistan to conserve such non-islamic historical places, unless it attracts traffic.
Legends
Many local legends are associated with town . According to one legend, the demons and evil spirits inhabiting the mountain would torment and feed on the flesh of the people of Gondrani. An old holy woman named Mai Gondrani(In hindi : "माँ गोंदरानी") sacrificed herself to kill the demons and free the town people.
References
References
- Rashid, Salman. (1992). "Riders on the wind: Travels through Pakistan". Sang-e-Meel Publications.
- "Lasbela". Government of Balochistan.
- Royal Geographical Society (Great Britain). (1896). "The Geographical Journal Volume 7". Royal Geographical Society.
- Wink, André. (2002). "Al-Hind : the making of the Indo-Islamic world". E. J. Brill.
- Taylor & Francis. (1989). "South Asian Studies: Journal of the Society for South Asian Studies". The Society for South Asian Studies.
- (February 19, 2012). "House of the spirits". The Express Tribune.
- "Lasbela". Govt. of Balochistan.
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