Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi Recalls France Museum Photo That Revived Kashmir’s Buddhist Past

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted a remarkable story from Jammu and Kashmir that underscores the region’s rich cultural and historical legacy.

Addressing the 129th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister shared how a forgotten Buddhist complex in Baramulla came to light through a blurred photograph preserved in a French museum.

“I want to share a saga about Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and historical heritage that will fill you with pride. In Baramulla, there is a place called Jehanpora. For years, people saw some tall mounds there, but no one knew their significance. Then, an archaeologist noticed something unusual,” PM Modi said, narrating the beginning of the discovery.

The Prime Minister explained that initial observations of the mounds prompted further scientific study.

“When he began to observe the area, these mounds appeared somewhat unusual. Drones were used to capture aerial photographs, and detailed mapping of the land began. Soon, it became clear that these mounds were not natural but the remains of a large human-made structure,” he said.

This discovery set the stage for a broader exploration of Kashmir’s ancient Buddhist heritage.

PM Modi highlighted that the site, once studied systematically, revealed a historically significant complex, previously hidden in plain sight.

PM Modi also described how a blurred photograph thousands of kilometres away in a French museum played a key role.

“Three Buddhist stupas were visible in that photograph of Baramulla. This connection helped researchers piece together the history, and Kashmir’s glorious past began to emerge,” he explained.

Emphasising the historical significance, the Prime Minister noted, “This history dates back nearly 2,000 years. The Buddhist complex in Jehanpora reminds us of Kashmir’s past and its rich identity.”

The rediscovery revived interest in the region’s ancient Buddhist heritage. It also highlighted the role of international collaboration, modern technology and diligent research in preserving India’s cultural history.

PM Modi said this story serves as a reminder of India’s enduring cultural richness and the importance of safeguarding historical monuments.

By connecting the past with modern methods, including drones and archival research abroad, India continues to reclaim and celebrate its heritage.

The Prime Minister concluded by urging citizens to take pride in such discoveries that illuminate the depth and diversity of the nation’s history, reinforcing Kashmir’s legacy as a cradle of ancient Buddhist civilisation.