Buddhist Rock near Chilas
Buddhist rock carvings and inscriptions along the Indus river near Chilas
Typical Buddhist images with stupas or meditating Buddhas engravings of animals ibex, markhor, etc various motifs related to Shiva, Vishnu or Zoroastrian influences and inscriptions in various languages scribbled into a stone.The route alongside the Indus river was a 'highway' for thousands of years for passing through merchant caravans or military expeditions. Over the years it facilitated spread of religions first Buddhist, later Islam between Central Asia and the Subcontinent.