Note: This article has been published on Graham Hancock's website and on Esamskriti.
Concealed within the desolate, rocky, landscape of the Makran coastline of Southern Balochistan, Pakistan, is an architectural gem that has gone unnoticed and unexplored for centuries. The Balochistan Sphinx, as it is popularly called, came into the public eye only after the Makran Coastal Highway opened in 2004, linking Karachi with the port town of Gwadar on the Makran coast. A four-hour long drive (240 kms) from Karachi, through meandering mountain passes and arid valleys, brings one to the Hingol National Park where the sphinx is located.
A cursory glance at the impressive sculpture shows that the sphinx has a well-defined jawline, and clearly discernible facial features such as the eyes, nose, and the mouth, which are placed in perfect proportion to each other.
The sphinx appears to be decked up in a head-dress that closely resembles the Nemes head-dress of the Egyptian pharaoh. The Nemes head-dress is a striped headcloth that covers the crown and back of the head. It has two large, conspicuous, flaps which hangs down behind the ears and in front of both shoulders. The ear-flaps can be clearly seen on the Balochistan sphinx (including some stripe marks on it as well). The sphinx has a horizontal groove across the forehead which corresponds to the pharaonic head-band that holds the Nemes head-dress in place.
One can easily make out the contours of the reclining forelegs of the sphinx, which terminate in very well-defined paws.
 |
| It is a four-hour drive from Karachi to the Hingol National Park along the Makran Coastal Highway. The Balochistan Sphinx is located inside the Hingol National Park. Source: Google Maps |
 |
| The Makran Coastal Highway. Source: www.tresbohemes.com |
The Balochistan Sphinx
The Balochistan Sphinx is routinely passed off by journalists as a natural formation, although no archaeological survey has been conducted at the site [1]. If we explore the features of the sphinx, as well as some of the associated structures, it becomes very difficult to accept the oft-repeated premise that it has been shaped by natural forces. Rather, the entire site looks like a gigantic, rock-cut, architectural complex.
 |
| The Balochistan Sphinx inside the Hingol National Park. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Bilal Mirza CC BY 2.0 |
The sphinx appears to be decked up in a head-dress that closely resembles the Nemes head-dress of the Egyptian pharaoh. The Nemes head-dress is a striped headcloth that covers the crown and back of the head. It has two large, conspicuous, flaps which hangs down behind the ears and in front of both shoulders. The ear-flaps can be clearly seen on the Balochistan sphinx (including some stripe marks on it as well). The sphinx has a horizontal groove across the forehead which corresponds to the pharaonic head-band that holds the Nemes head-dress in place.
One can easily make out the contours of the reclining forelegs of the sphinx, which terminate in very well-defined paws.
In other words, this is not just any other rock formation that bears somewhat of a resemblance to an animal. It is a very realistic rendition of the Sphinx – a well-known legendary animal that is found in the art and archaeology of many ancient cultures. Nature does not carve out statues that resemble well-known legendary animals; humans do.
 | ||
| The Balochistan Sphinx resembles the Egyptian sphinx in many respects |
 |
| The Great Sphinx of Giza. On the right is the New Kingdom Sphinx Temple. Credit Валерий Дед, CC BY-SA 3 |
The Sphinx Temple
In close proximity to the Balochistan Sphinx is another important structure. From a distance, it looks like a Hindu Temple (like those of South India), with the Mandapa (entrance hall) and the Vimana (temple spire). The top part of the Vimana appears to be missing. The sphinx is reclining in front of the temple, appearing to act as a protector of the sacred site.
In close proximity to the Balochistan Sphinx is another important structure. From a distance, it looks like a Hindu Temple (like those of South India), with the Mandapa (entrance hall) and the Vimana (temple spire). The top part of the Vimana appears to be missing. The sphinx is reclining in front of the temple, appearing to act as a protector of the sacred site.
 |
| The Balochistan Sphinx reclines in front of a temple-like structure. Source: www.pakistanpaedia.com |
 |
| A panoramic view of the area, showing the Sphinx and the Temple. Credit: Ikram-ul Haq |
In sacred architecture, the sphinx always performed a protective function, and was generally placed in pairs on either side of the entrance to temples, tombs, and sacred monuments. In ancient Egypt, the Sphinx had the body of a lion, but its head could be that of a man (Androsphinx), a ram (Criosphinx) or a falcon (Hierocosphinx).[2] It was always regarded as a protector of temples or sacred places. The Great Sphinx of Giza, for instance, acts as a guardian of the Pyramid complex.
In Greece, the sphinx had the head of a woman, the wings of an eagle, the body of a lioness, and according to some, the tail of a serpent.[3] The colossal statue of the Sphinx of Naxos stood on a towering ionic column, at the sacred Oracle of Delphi, acting as a protector of the site.
In Indian art and sculpture, the sphinx is known as purusha-mriga (meaning ‘man-beast’ in Sanskrit), and its primary position was near the temple gateway, acting as a guardian of the sanctuary.[4] However, sphinxes were sculpted all over the temple premises including the entrance gates (gopuram), halls (mandapa), near the central shrine (garba-griha) etc.
Raja Deekshithar had identified 3 basic forms of the Indian sphinx: a) A crouching sphinx with a human face, but with certain lion characteristics like mane and elongated ears; b) A striding or jumping sphinx with a fully human face; c) A half-upright or fully-upright sphinx, sometimes with moustaches and long beards, often in an act of worshipping a Shiva-linga.[5]
Sphinxes also feature in the Buddhist architecture of South-east Asia. In Myanmar, they are called Manusiha (from the Sanskrit manu-simha, meaning man-lion). They are depicted in a cat-like crouching posture at the corners of Buddhist stupas. They wear a tapering crown and ornamental ear-flaps, and have feathered wings attached to their front limbs.[6]
So, all across the ancient world, the sphinx acted as a protector of sacred places. The Sphinx of Balochistan also appears to be guarding the temple-like structure near it. This suggests that the site was laid out in accordance with the principles of sacred architecture.
A closer look at the Sphinx Temple shows clear evidence of pillars carved on the boundary wall. The temple entrance is visible behind a large pile-up of sediments or termite mounds. An elevated, sculpted, structure to the left of the entrance could be a subsidiary shrine. Interestingly, there seem to be two massive sculptures carved on the façade of the Sphinx Temple, right above the entrance, on either side. These figures may have been intended as “dvarapalas” i.e. door guardians. In Hindu-Buddhist temples, dvarapalas are giant figures who stand guard in pairs on either side of the temple entrance.
In Greece, the sphinx had the head of a woman, the wings of an eagle, the body of a lioness, and according to some, the tail of a serpent.[3] The colossal statue of the Sphinx of Naxos stood on a towering ionic column, at the sacred Oracle of Delphi, acting as a protector of the site.
 |
| The Sphinx in the sacred architecture of many ancient cultures. |
Raja Deekshithar had identified 3 basic forms of the Indian sphinx: a) A crouching sphinx with a human face, but with certain lion characteristics like mane and elongated ears; b) A striding or jumping sphinx with a fully human face; c) A half-upright or fully-upright sphinx, sometimes with moustaches and long beards, often in an act of worshipping a Shiva-linga.[5]
Sphinxes also feature in the Buddhist architecture of South-east Asia. In Myanmar, they are called Manusiha (from the Sanskrit manu-simha, meaning man-lion). They are depicted in a cat-like crouching posture at the corners of Buddhist stupas. They wear a tapering crown and ornamental ear-flaps, and have feathered wings attached to their front limbs.[6]
So, all across the ancient world, the sphinx acted as a protector of sacred places. The Sphinx of Balochistan also appears to be guarding the temple-like structure near it. This suggests that the site was laid out in accordance with the principles of sacred architecture.
A closer look at the Sphinx Temple shows clear evidence of pillars carved on the boundary wall. The temple entrance is visible behind a large pile-up of sediments or termite mounds. An elevated, sculpted, structure to the left of the entrance could be a subsidiary shrine. Interestingly, there seem to be two massive sculptures carved on the façade of the Sphinx Temple, right above the entrance, on either side. These figures may have been intended as “dvarapalas” i.e. door guardians. In Hindu-Buddhist temples, dvarapalas are giant figures who stand guard in pairs on either side of the temple entrance.
 |
| The Balochistan Sphinx-Temple shows clear signs of being a man-made, rock-cut, temple |
The structure of the Sphinx Temple suggests that it may actually be a Gopuram i.e. the entrance tower of a temple. Like the Sphinx Temple, gopurams are generally flat-topped. Gopurams have a row of ornamental kalasams (stone or metal pots) arranged on top. If we look carefully at the flat-topped Sphinx Temple we can see a number of “spikes” on top, which could be a row of kalasams, covered with sediments or termite mounds.
Gopurams are attached to the boundary wall of a temple, and the Sphinx Temple appears to be contiguous with the outer boundary. Gopurams also have giant figures of dvarapalas i.e. door guardians sculpted on them, and, as we have noted, the Sphinx Temple has two massive figures carved on the façade, just above the entrance, which may be serving as the dvarapalas.
The Sphinx Temple Platform
The elevated platform on which the Sphinx and the Temple are situated, appears to have been elaborately carved with pillars, niches, and a symmetric pattern that extends across the entire upper part of the platform. Some of the niches may well be doors which lead to chambers and halls under the Sphinx-Temple complex. It is believed by many that there could be chambers and passages under the Sphinx on the Giza plateau as well. It is also interesting to note that the Balochistan Sphinx and the Temple are situated on an elevated platform, just as the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Egypt were built on the Giza plateau overlooking the city of Cairo.
Another conspicuous feature of this site is a series of steps leading to the elevated platform. The steps appear to be evenly spaced, and of uniform height. The entire site gives the impression of a grand, rock-cut, architectural complex, which has been eroded by the elements, and covered by layers of sediment, masking the more intricate details of the sculptures.
In addition, a number of mud volcanoes are strewn along Makran coastline, a bunch of which are concentrated within the Hingol National Park, near the delta of the Hingol river. Intense earthquake activity triggers the mud volcanoes to erupt, thereby spewing staggering amounts of mud, drowning the surrounding landscape. Sometimes, mud volcano islands appear off the coast of Makran, in the Arabian Sea, which are dissipated by wave action within a year.
Therefore, the combined action of tsunamis and mud volcanoes, along with termite mounds, may be responsible for the build-up of sediment on the site.
The term “Makran” is sometimes taken to be a corruption of the Persian Maki-Khoran, meaning fish-eaters. “But it is also thought that the name derives from a Dravidian toponymic “Makara”.[15] When the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited Makran in the 7th century AD, he noted the script that was in use in Makran to be “much the same as that of India,” but the spoken language “differed a little from that of India”.[16] Historian Andre Wink writes that:
What happened to these caves, temples, and monasteries of the Makran coast? Why have they not been restored and brought into the public eye? Are they suffering the same fate as the Sphinx-Temple Complex? Probably so. Eroded by the elements and covered with sediment, these ancient monuments have either been entirely forgotten or are being passed off as natural formations. The question is, how old are these temples of Makran?
The Indus Valley Civilization extended along the Makran coastline, and its westernmost archaeological site is known as the Sutkagen Dor, near the Iranian border. Some of the temples and rock-cut sculptures of the region, including the Sphinx-Temple Complex, could, therefore, have been built thousands of years ago, during the Indus Period (c. 3000 BCE), or perhaps earlier.
It is possible that the site was built in phases, with some structures being extremely old, and the others comparatively recent. Dating rock-cut monuments, however, is difficult in the absence of inscriptions. If the site contains readable inscriptions, and if they can be interpreted (another tricky proposition, given that the Indus script has not yet been deciphered) then it may be possible to put a date on some of the monuments. In the absence of inscriptions, scientists will have to rely on datable artefacts / human remains, architectural styles, geological erosion patterns, and other clues.
One of the persistent mysteries of the Indian Civilization has been the profusion of exquisite rock-cut temples and monuments that have been built since the 3rd century BCE. How did the skills and techniques for building these sacred places of worship appear without a corresponding period of evolution? The rock-cut monuments of the Makran coastline may provide the much-needed continuity between the architectural forms and techniques of the Indus period and the later-day Indian civilization. It may have been on the mountains of the Makran coast that the Indus artisans honed and perfected their skills, which were later transported to the Indian civilization.
Undoubtedly, there is a virtual treasure trove of archaeological wonders waiting to be discovered on the Makran coast of Balochistan. Unfortunately, these magnificent monuments, whose origins go back to unknown antiquity, continue to languish in isolation, thanks to the appalling level of apathy towards them.
It appears that little attempt has been made to acknowledge or restore them, and journalists routinely pass them off as “natural formations”. It is a mystery why an official archaeological survey has not yet being conducted at this place, when the signs of human civilization are so obvious. Is it due a lack of funding or a lack of interest? Or could the situation be even more grave? Could it be that some people in authority are already aware that this is a very ancient site which could topple the chronology of civilization in South Asia, or in fact, the entire world, and are deliberately trying to cover it up? It’s a possibility that cannot be ruled out.
Gopurams are attached to the boundary wall of a temple, and the Sphinx Temple appears to be contiguous with the outer boundary. Gopurams also have giant figures of dvarapalas i.e. door guardians sculpted on them, and, as we have noted, the Sphinx Temple has two massive figures carved on the façade, just above the entrance, which may be serving as the dvarapalas.
 |
| The Balochistan Sphinx-Temple could be a gopuram i.e. the entrance tower of a temple |
The elevated platform on which the Sphinx and the Temple are situated, appears to have been elaborately carved with pillars, niches, and a symmetric pattern that extends across the entire upper part of the platform. Some of the niches may well be doors which lead to chambers and halls under the Sphinx-Temple complex. It is believed by many that there could be chambers and passages under the Sphinx on the Giza plateau as well. It is also interesting to note that the Balochistan Sphinx and the Temple are situated on an elevated platform, just as the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Egypt were built on the Giza plateau overlooking the city of Cairo.
Another conspicuous feature of this site is a series of steps leading to the elevated platform. The steps appear to be evenly spaced, and of uniform height. The entire site gives the impression of a grand, rock-cut, architectural complex, which has been eroded by the elements, and covered by layers of sediment, masking the more intricate details of the sculptures.
 |
| The Balochistan Sphinx is carved on a platform with steps, pillars, niches and a symmetric pattern. |
What could have deposited so much sediment on the site? The Makran coast of Balochistan is a seismically active zone, which frequently produces enormous tsunamis that obliterate entire villages. It has been reported that the earthquake of November 28 1945, with its epicenter off the coast of Makran, caused a tsunami with waves reaching as high as 13m in some places.
In addition, a number of mud volcanoes are strewn along Makran coastline, a bunch of which are concentrated within the Hingol National Park, near the delta of the Hingol river. Intense earthquake activity triggers the mud volcanoes to erupt, thereby spewing staggering amounts of mud, drowning the surrounding landscape. Sometimes, mud volcano islands appear off the coast of Makran, in the Arabian Sea, which are dissipated by wave action within a year.
Therefore, the combined action of tsunamis and mud volcanoes, along with termite mounds, may be responsible for the build-up of sediment on the site.
Close
to the Balochistan Sphinx, on top of an elevated platform, are the
remnants of what appears to be yet another ancient Hindu temple,
complete with the Mandapa, Shikhara (Vimana), pillars and niches.
 |
| An ancient Hindu Temple on the Makran coastline with Vimana, Mandapa, pillars and niches. |
 |
| The smaller temple. An opening near the base of the platform may contain stairs that lead to the temple. Credit: Ikram-ul Haq |
 |
| In this panoramic view, you can see the Sphinx, the Sphinx-Temple, the other Hindu temple, and a flat-topped megalithic building on the left. Credit: Ikram-ul Haq |
Update: A few interesting YouTube videos made over the past few years, ever since I first wrote this article, provide a good sense of what is going on that area. This video (click here) of a drive along the Makran Highway is an excellent one. As you cross the Buzi Pass, the scenery suddenly changes for a distance of around 2-3 kms (watch till 3:30 min in the video) when all kinds of surreal and apparently man-made structures start popping into view. Some of them resemble palaces, while other look like rectangular megalithic buildings. Here are a few stills from a couple of videos.
 |
| One of the structures close to the Sphinx, resembling a palace with massive entrance pillars. Credit: Irfan Saghir Mirza, "Hingol National Park - Princess of Hope - Sphinx of Baluchistan" YouTube video |
 |
| The remnants of what appears to be a large rectangular building, on the opposite side of the highway from the Sphinx. Credit: SRZ Travel, "Mysterious Signs of Ancient Civilizations| Road Trip|BALOCHISTAN| PAKISTAN" YouTube video |
 | ||
| A small rectangular building with an entrance, right near the Balochistan Sphinx. Credit: SRZ Travel, "Mysterious Signs of Ancient Civilizations| Road Trip|BALOCHISTAN| PAKISTAN" YouTube video |
It is inconceivable how such symmetric structures can be produced through random processes of erosion. Clearly, this was a large ancient metropolis, with the Balochistan Sphinx located at its extremity, which was devastated by earthquakes, tsunamis and cataclysmic floods, and subsequently suffered extensive erosion. In fact, geologists have noted that the hills around the Makran coastline are covered with sea shells, which indicates that the entire place was once inundated by sea water.
The actions of humans and nature appear to have combined to create this surreal landscape, which seems to be hiding a lost city of unknown antiquity.
The Historical Context
An elaborate temple complex on the Makran coast should not come as a surprise, for Makran had always been regarded by the Arab chroniclers as “the frontier of al-Hind”.[10] A-Biruni wrote that, “the coast of al-Hind begins with Tiz, the capital of Makran, and from there extends in a south-eastern direction….”[11] Though the sovereignty of parts of the region alternated between Indian and Persian kings from very early times, it retained “an Indianized identity all along”.[12] In the decades preceding the Muslim raids, Makran was under the dominion of a dynasty of Hindu kings, who had their capital at Alor in Sind. [13]
“The same chiefdom of Armadil is referred to by Hiuen Tsang as O-tien-p’o-chi-lo’, located at the high road running through Makran, and he also describes it as predominantly Buddhist, thinly populated though it was, it had no less than 80 Buddhist convents with about 5000 monks. In effect at eighteen km north west of Las Bela at Gandakahar, near the ruins of an ancient town are the caves of Gondrani, and as their constructions show these caves were undoubtedly Buddhist. Traveling through the Kij valley further west (then under the government of Persia) Hiuen Tsang saw some 100 Buddhist monasteries and 6000 priests. He also saw several hundred Deva temples in this part of Makran, and in the town of Su-nu li-chi-shi-fa-lo - which is probably Qasrqand- he saw a temple of Maheshvara Deva, richly adorned and sculptured. There is thus very wide extension of Indian cultural forms in Makran in the seventh century, even in the period when it fell under Persian sovereignty. By comparison in more recent times the last place of Hindu pilgrimage in Makran was Hinglaj, 256 km west of present day Karachi in Las Bela.”[16]Thus, as per the accounts of Hiuen Tsang, even in the 7th century AD, the Makran coast was dotted with hundreds of Buddhist monasteries and caves, as well as several hundred Hindu Temples, including a richly sculpted temple of Lord Shiva.
What happened to these caves, temples, and monasteries of the Makran coast? Why have they not been restored and brought into the public eye? Are they suffering the same fate as the Sphinx-Temple Complex? Probably so. Eroded by the elements and covered with sediment, these ancient monuments have either been entirely forgotten or are being passed off as natural formations. The question is, how old are these temples of Makran?
The Indus Valley Civilization extended along the Makran coastline, and its westernmost archaeological site is known as the Sutkagen Dor, near the Iranian border. Some of the temples and rock-cut sculptures of the region, including the Sphinx-Temple Complex, could, therefore, have been built thousands of years ago, during the Indus Period (c. 3000 BCE), or perhaps earlier.
It is possible that the site was built in phases, with some structures being extremely old, and the others comparatively recent. Dating rock-cut monuments, however, is difficult in the absence of inscriptions. If the site contains readable inscriptions, and if they can be interpreted (another tricky proposition, given that the Indus script has not yet been deciphered) then it may be possible to put a date on some of the monuments. In the absence of inscriptions, scientists will have to rely on datable artefacts / human remains, architectural styles, geological erosion patterns, and other clues.
One of the persistent mysteries of the Indian Civilization has been the profusion of exquisite rock-cut temples and monuments that have been built since the 3rd century BCE. How did the skills and techniques for building these sacred places of worship appear without a corresponding period of evolution? The rock-cut monuments of the Makran coastline may provide the much-needed continuity between the architectural forms and techniques of the Indus period and the later-day Indian civilization. It may have been on the mountains of the Makran coast that the Indus artisans honed and perfected their skills, which were later transported to the Indian civilization.
 |
| Fig 13: The Indus Valley Civilization included sites located along the Makran coast. Source: http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk |
It appears that little attempt has been made to acknowledge or restore them, and journalists routinely pass them off as “natural formations”. It is a mystery why an official archaeological survey has not yet being conducted at this place, when the signs of human civilization are so obvious. Is it due a lack of funding or a lack of interest? Or could the situation be even more grave? Could it be that some people in authority are already aware that this is a very ancient site which could topple the chronology of civilization in South Asia, or in fact, the entire world, and are deliberately trying to cover it up? It’s a possibility that cannot be ruled out.
The situation can only be salvaged if international attention can be drawn to these structures, and if teams of archaeologists from UNESCO, as well as independent explorers and researchers from around the globe, visit these enigmatic monuments to study, restore, and publicize them.
The importance of these ancient monuments of the Makran coast can hardly be overstated. They could be thousands of years old, and provide us with important clues to uncover humanity’s mysterious past.
References
[1] See for example: “13 natural rock formations that look man-made”, Angela Nelson, MNN.com 19 Jul. 2016 <https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/photos/13-natural-rock-formations-look-man-made/sphinx-balochistan>;
Also see: “Natural Featured Sphinx of Pakistan”, Saamia Malik, CNN iReport 18 Dec. 2014 <http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1198228>
[2] "Sphinx",New World Encyclopedia <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sphinx#cite_note-4>
[3] “Sphinx”, Theoi.com < http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Sphinx.html>
[4] Raja Deekshithar, “Sphinx of India, the Living Tradition” < http://www.chidambaramhiddentreasure.com/sphinx-in-india-tradition/ >;
Also see the You Tube Video: “Sphinxes of India”<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGoJx0VMpXI>
[5] Raja Deekshithar, “Sphinx in Indian Art” <http://www.chidambaramhiddentreasure.com/sphinx-indian-art/>
[6] Raja Deekshithar, "THE SPHINX IN ANCIENT BURMA AND MODERN MYANMAR" <http://www.lchr.org/a/37/1q/myanmar.html>
[7] UNESCO, ‘Remembering the 1945 Makran Tsunami’, <http://iotic.ioc-unesco.org/1945makrantsunami/1945-makran-tsunami-booklet.pdf>
[8] https://pakistaniat.com/2007/03/02/mud-volcanoes-volcano-balochistan-baluchistan-hingol-offroad-makran-pasni-hinglaj/
[9] https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110126-mud-volcano-new-island-pakistan-arabian-sea-science/
[10] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 132
[11] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 132
[12] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 136
[13] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 133
[14] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 137
[15] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 137.
[16] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 135.
The importance of these ancient monuments of the Makran coast can hardly be overstated. They could be thousands of years old, and provide us with important clues to uncover humanity’s mysterious past.
References
[1] See for example: “13 natural rock formations that look man-made”, Angela Nelson, MNN.com 19 Jul. 2016 <https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/photos/13-natural-rock-formations-look-man-made/sphinx-balochistan>;
Also see: “Natural Featured Sphinx of Pakistan”, Saamia Malik, CNN iReport 18 Dec. 2014 <http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1198228>
[2] "Sphinx",New World Encyclopedia <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sphinx#cite_note-4>
[3] “Sphinx”, Theoi.com < http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Sphinx.html>
[4] Raja Deekshithar, “Sphinx of India, the Living Tradition” < http://www.chidambaramhiddentreasure.com/sphinx-in-india-tradition/ >;
Also see the You Tube Video: “Sphinxes of India”<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGoJx0VMpXI>
[5] Raja Deekshithar, “Sphinx in Indian Art” <http://www.chidambaramhiddentreasure.com/sphinx-indian-art/>
[6] Raja Deekshithar, "THE SPHINX IN ANCIENT BURMA AND MODERN MYANMAR" <http://www.lchr.org/a/37/1q/myanmar.html>
[7] UNESCO, ‘Remembering the 1945 Makran Tsunami’, <http://iotic.ioc-unesco.org/1945makrantsunami/1945-makran-tsunami-booklet.pdf>
[8] https://pakistaniat.com/2007/03/02/mud-volcanoes-volcano-balochistan-baluchistan-hingol-offroad-makran-pasni-hinglaj/
[9] https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110126-mud-volcano-new-island-pakistan-arabian-sea-science/
[10] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 132
[11] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 132
[12] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 136
[13] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 133
[14] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 137
[15] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 137.
[16] André Wink, Al-Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest (BRILL, 1991) 135.
Greate Article. Are you on Twitter as well ?
ReplyDeleteThanks. No, I am not on twitter.
DeleteFantastic read! Will re-read to digest. Felt those same goose-pimples when I visited LOTHAL for the First time and saw the advanced marine engineering in those days!
ReplyDeleteThank you. This is a really fascinating place, and I feel excited about it as well...so I can understand your sentiments.
DeleteYes, more wonderfully insightful finds by the author. But only for "those with eyes to see..."
ReplyDeletefarang
Thanks Farang...good to hear from you after a long time :)
DeleteAmazing article. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeletePlease visit this blogsite also
http://ajitvadakayil.blogspot.com/2015/09/sanatana-dharma-hinduism-exhumed-and.html?m=1
Thanks. Will check out the link..
DeleteWow. I got to this link via the Graham Hancock website as his work along with Robert Schoch et al is astounding. This looks like it could be another amazing example of some incredible lost history!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts...yes, this does look like an incredible site that is sorely in need of a thorough scientific exploration.
DeleteThank you for this article! (Found it on Graham Hancocks website) This place really needs to be looked into thoroughly by archaeologists. I can just feel there will be some astonishing finds and the size of it looks mental!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting here. The site definitely deserves to be explored extensively by archaeologists. It's an incredible place, and god knows how old. The place could rewrite human history, which may possibly be why it has been ignored for so long, for many in the mainstream do not wish to upset the apple cart.
DeleteCouldn't have said it better myself
DeleteThis short article posted only at the web site is truly good.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteFantastic article. I've read about Dravidian link with Balochistan and this adds evidence to its existence. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks. There is a lot of evidence - archaeological and literary - that many Indus tribes migrated from the Southern Indus Valley to peninsular India (where they are now called Dravidians). So, it wouldn't be surprising at all to find Dravidian style monuments in the southern Indus Valley.
DeleteVery interesting,
ReplyDeleteIs it possibile to get the geo coordinates of the site. I wonder what can be seen in Google map.
The coordinates of the Hingol National Park in which the Sphinx is located are 25.51° N, 65.52° E. Google maps does not show much, the photographs posted online by visitors to the site are a lot better.
DeleteHi Bibhu Dev,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Puven. I'm from Malaysia. I somehow came across your article on the Balochistan Sphinx at https://grahamhancock.com/dmisrab11/.
What a wonderful finding. Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to research and write this article. Absolutely loved it!
I've always interested in exploring ancient sites, although I'm just an IT professional with no archaeology expertise. If anyone doing any research or exploration onsite, do count me in.
I can be reached on FB.
https://www.facebook.com/puvaneswaran
Hello Puven,
DeleteGreat to know that you loved the article. Much as I would like to visit the site, it seems quite unlikely since Pakistan does not issue tourist visas to Indians. If you do manage to go there please dont forget to take lots of close-up photographs.
Although many tourists visit the Hingol National Park, I have not seen anyone climb up to the entrance or get close to the Sphinx. I am wondering if there is some restriction on exploring the place. I suppose restrictions are necessary to keep this incredible archaeological site flagged as a "natural formation".
Hi Bibhu Dev
ReplyDeleteI have read your article about The Balochistan Sphinx
Is there any further development? I am planning to visit the site and would be pleased to gather as much data as possible and therefore would like your advice so that you could carry out the research work further.
Kind regards,
Ikram
Thanks Ikram for your kind note. Kindly send me an email bibhumisra@gmail.com, or contact me on FB for further discussions.
DeleteWow! That looks like a sphinx that was hit by a cataclysm, maybe a "great flood"? Oh, and a great show with Mr. Hoagland this evening!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Great to know that you enjoyed the show. Yes, the Sphinx does look like it might have been under water for some time, going by the amount of sediment deposited on the site.
DeleteI think it is totally correctly reflected from that sight. how can we recover it for its glory or who can do it. I am especially devoted to such histories on my homeland. Yes it is a Hindu treasure so how to reshape it. can you do something for that!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think what is required right now is for someone living in Balochistan or nearby provinces to go there and do an extensive photographic survey of the entire site. Once we have that, it can be proved beyond reasonable doubt to be a man-made structure. Then, hopefully archaeologists may get interested enough to carry out an official excavation and restoration of the place.
DeleteIt looks like Nandi,The Divine Bull,in front Shiv Idol,in a Temple.
ReplyDelete