Introduction
Most Ven delivered the Symbolic Alms-Bowl of Lord Buddha. Arayawango to the Mahavihara of King Kanishka in Gor Khatri, Peshawar, which is three km from the Peshawar Museum. An expert in Thailand made it. By chanting and announcing his giving of the Symbolic Alms-Bowl, MV pays respect to Lord Buddha.
The devotion served as a reminder that King Kanishka formerly had Lord Buddha’s Original Alms Bowl enshrined here. Fa Xian Bhikkhu wrote it down in the ninth or tenth century during a visit here to pay respect to other Chinese monks.
After paying his respects, MV returned to the Peshawar Museum, where the Symbolic Alms-Bowl would be kept, and accepted alms of flowers from waiting devoted Thai Buddhists, as was the custom in the past.
Sethi House in Peshawar
Seth House is one of twelve noteworthy residences within the medieval walled city of Peshawar. The Sethi House is positioned close to the city’s socio-cultural icons, Ghanta Ghar (clock tower), and Bazaar-e-Kalan near Gor Khatri, within the Sethi Mohallah, an epic architectural exhibition from the 19th century with enchanting examples of spatial creativity and definition.
The Mohallah Sethian or Sethi Street, often referred to as Peshawar’s crown jewel, is a reminder of ancient times when tales of far-off lands were told over cups of green tea and caravans of traders stopped in the city on their way from the Central Asian steppes to the Indian plains. A trading family, the Sethis. Their firm had previously expanded from Central Asia to Europe. Their residences include intricate wood carvings arranged in a classic oriental compositional manner. They exemplify the best of what a man of means’ home would have looked like in Peshawar in the 19th century, encapsulating its grandeur and elegance.
A courtyard home known as a haveli has been famous in the Indian subcontinent since ancient times. Due to the proximity of India to the area, the courtyard shape evolved as a response to the climate and cultural development of the city and its inhabitants. The courtyard is an effort to manage nature’s forces in some way, and its typology allows for a comfortable structure that promotes constant contact with the sun, fresh air, and water.
No wonder the Takht-e-Sulaimani (Solomon’s throne), a prominent wooden resting place to rest in the daylight during winter with delicate and lovely wooden jaalis used for ventilation and windows inclined for privacy, is one of the unmistakable highlights of the Sethi House. Other notable features include the bright ranks of the courtyard, the woodwork with inscriptions, and the courtyard itself. When the Sethi family arrived in Peshawar in the 1730s, they made their home on this street. The Sethi family belonged to the merchant class, according to historians like the late Ahmed Hassan Dani, and they “transacted international business, commerce, and trade which passed from India to Afghani-stan and Central Asia.”
Architectural Marvels of Sethi House
The home incorporates methods and stylistic influences from a variety of sources. While the decorative components have their roots in Samarkand, Bukhara, and even some regions of Persia and India, the style is reminiscent of historic Baghdadi houses. The family may have dispersed and relocated, but they have left a rich legacy that people will continue to value for many years.
One enters the Sethi House through a carved wooden gateway leading to the central courtyard with a fountain in the middle and exquisitely carved wooden arcades on all four sides—a singular example of architectural art. Views of the intricate woodwork with floral and geometric patterns carved into it are mesmerizing from the central courtyard. The central courtyard is accessible from the balconies of the two upper floors.
Conclusion
The residences contain “cheenee khanas,” or reception rooms, that are lavishly adorned and have beautiful items on display. According to Safi, different levels of crafts were utilized for ornamentation, such as “aina-kari” or mirror work, “manabat-kari” or woodwork, and “kashi-kari” or tile work. The walls and basements of the second story are covered in painted patterns and cut glass, and they are decorated with wooden carvings. The home was built with a substantial amount of wood and brick fills.
The province government acquired the Sethi House in 2006 and gave it to the archaeological department for conservation. Tourists have been able to visit since.
Questions and Answers
Q1. What is the Symbolic Alms-Bowl of Lord Buddha, and why did MV Arayawangso visit the Mahavihara of King Kanishka?
Ans. The Symbolic Alms-Bowl represents Lord Buddha’s original alms bowl and holds historical significance. MV Arayawangso visited the Mahavihara of King Kanishka to pay respects, as it was believed that King Kanishka once enshrined Lord Buddha’s Original Alms Bowl there.
Q2. Who made the Symbolic Alms-Bowl, and why was it created?
Ans. An expert in Thailand created the Symbolic Alms-Bowl. It was designed to remind us of the historical connection between King Kanishka and Lord Buddha’s alms bowl.
Q3. What is the historical context of King Kanishka’s connection to Lord Buddha’s Original Alms Bowl?
Ans. King Kanishka is believed to have enshrined Lord Buddha’s Original Alms Bowl in the Mahavihara in Gor Khatri, Peshawar, as recorded by Fa Xian Bhikkhu during his ninth or tenth-century visit.
Q4. What is the significance of Sethi House in Peshawar?
Ans. Sethi House is one of the notable residences in Peshawar, known for its historical and architectural significance. It is located near key landmarks and showcases the grandeur of a man of means’ home in the 19th century.
Q5. Who were the Sethis, and what role did they play in Peshawar’s history?
Ans. The Sethis were a trading family that engaged in international business, commerce, and trade, connecting India, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. They contributed to Peshawar’s cultural and economic development.
Q6. What architectural features make Sethi House remarkable?
Ans. Sethi House features a central courtyard design, intricate wood carvings, the Takht-e-Sulaimani, and various crafts like mirror work, woodwork, and tile work. It incorporates architectural influences from multiple regions.
Q7. How has Sethi House been preserved, and can tourists visit it?
Ans. The provincial government acquired Sethi House for conservation in 2006 and opened it to tourists. The archaeological department plays a role in preserving historical sites like Sethi House.
Q8. Are there additional resources available for exploring the Gandhara region’s heritage?
Ans. Yes, “Land of Gandhara: A Photographic Journey” is cited as a valuable source for those interested in the region’s heritage. The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums in Lahore is another resource for information and research.
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