Jammu Tawi: The Department of History at Government Degree College (GDC) Paloura organized a heritage tour for its students today as part of the week-long celebrations for World Heritage Week. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural and natural heritage and to highlight the significance of protecting historical monuments.
As part of the programme, history students visited the ancient Buddhist archaeological site of Ambaran, located near Akhnoor on the right bank of the Chenab River. The site, dating from the pre-Kushan to the 7th century CE, has yielded a wealth of historical artifacts, including bases and votive stupas, walls of a monastery, and numerous decorative terracotta figurines, heads, and molds of leaves and ornaments. The most notable discovery was a Kushana-period reliquary found at the base of an excavated stupa, providing invaluable insights into the region’s ancient heritage.
During the visit, students explored the small museum at the site, which houses artifacts and photographs documenting the pre-excavation and post-excavation phases of the site. The tour offered students a unique opportunity to connect with India’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
The programme was organized by Prof. Vishal Magotra (Head of History Department), Prof. Arun Sharma, and Dr. Siraj ud Din, under the guidance of Dr. Kulvinder Kour, Principal of GDC Paloura.
