Sun. Sep 24th, 2023
A view of the Baluchistan Sphinx. Credits: Saadeqa Khan

Baluchistan Sphinx; Is it a human-made rock-cut Archaeological marvel?

By Bibhu Dev Misra 3 years ago

The entire site gives the impression of a grand architectural complex, which has been eroded by the elements and covered by sediment layers.

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. As it is popularly called, the Balochistan Sphinx 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 km) from Karachi, through meandering mountain passes and arid valleys, brings one to the Hingol National Park where the sphinx is located.

I have not personally visited the Baluchistan Sphinx. Still, when I saw some of the Sphinx photographs and associated structures posted by visitors to the Hingol National Park, I was really struck by how closely it resembled the Sphinx of Egypt. Not only does the Baluchistan Sphinx have a well-defined face, but it also wears the Nemes head-dress and head-band of the Egyptian pharaoh, and it is seated in a crouching position. The elevated platform on which the Sphinx is located has been carved with pillars, niches, and asymmetric patterns, and there appears to be a series of steps leading to the platform. It is challenging to accept that all of this is the work of random natural forces. On the contrary, the entire site gives the impression of a grand architectural complex, eroded by the elements and covered by sediment layers, possibly due to the recurrent tsunamis on the Makran coastline.

The Baluchistan Sphinx is very similar to the Egyptian Sphinx
The Baluchistan Sphinx is very similar to the Egyptian Sphinx
The Baluchistan Sphinx platform shows signs of pillars, niches, symmetric patterns and steps
The Baluchistan Sphinx platform shows signs of pillars, niches, symmetric patterns, and steps

The question is, how old is this monument, and which civilization could have built it? Does it date from the Indus period, or could it be even older? We know that the Indus Valley Civilization extended along the Makran coastline, and its westernmost archaeological site is Sutkagen Dor, near the Iranian border. So, it could be an Indus-era monument. When the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang had visited Makran in the 7th century AD, he observed that the coastline was dotted with hundreds of Buddhist monasteries and Hindu Temples.

Where have they all gone? Have they all been eroded and covered with sediment so that they are now regarded as natural formations? There is no doubt that a thorough archaeological survey of the Makran coastline, particularly the Sphinx and Princess of Hope areas, is urgently required to find out when the Sphinx complex was built and what ancient secrets lie hidden within this enigmatic monument. 

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 mouth, which are placed in perfect proportion to each other.

The Sphinx in different cultures
It is challenging to accept that all of this is the work of random natural forces. Credits: Saadeqa Khan

 The sphinx appears to be decked up in a head-dress that closely resembles the Nemes head-dress of the Egyptian pharaoh. The Nemes headdress is a striped headcloth that covers the crown and back of the head. It has two large, conspicuous flaps that hang 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 sphinx’s reclining forelegs, which terminate in very well-defined paws. It isn’t easy to see how nature could have carved out a statue that resembles a well-known mythical animal to such an extraordinarily high degree.

The presence of the Sphinx carvings in different ancient cultures

People generally believe that sphinx statues are found only in Egypt, but the truth is that they are widely dispersed worldwide. There are slight variations in their representations across cultures, but their function is the same. They act as protectors of sacred sites, and they used to be placed in pairs on either side of the entrance to temples, tombs, and monuments.

A few part of this article has been published on Bibhu Dev Misra’s personal website. Here republishing with prior permission.

Post Views: 298
Tags: , , , , , , ,

38 thoughts on “Baluchistan Sphinx; Is it a human-made rock-cut Archaeological marvel?”

  1. I all the time used to study piece of writing in news papers but now as I am
    a user of net thus from now I am using net for posts,
    thanks to web.

  2. Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came
    across this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out a lot.

    I hope to provide something back and help others such as you aided me.

  4. I simply couldn’t leave your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the
    standard info a person supply to your guests? Is going to be back often in order to check out new posts

  5. Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this
    information together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both
    reading and posting comments. But so what,
    it was still worth it!

  6. Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome,
    great written and come with approximately all significant infos.
    I would like to peer extra posts like this .

  7. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I
    provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog site is
    in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would definitely benefit from some
    of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Thank you!

  9. Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
    I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking
    at alternatives for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good
    platform.

  11. It’s appropriate time to make some plans
    for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have learn this post and if I could
    I desire to recommend you few attention-grabbing things or advice.
    Maybe you could write subsequent articles relating to this article.
    I desire to learn even more things about it!

  12. I’m really loving the theme/design of your
    weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?

    A small number of my blog audience have complained about my website not working correctly
    in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any advice to help fix this
    problem?

  13. Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it
    😉 I may revisit yet again since i have book-marked
    it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue
    to guide other people.

  15. Hey are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the
    blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  17. Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other
    person’s blog link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar for you.

  18. Hey there terrific website! Does running a blog such as this take a large amount of
    work? I’ve virtually no understanding of programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic however I simply had to ask. Cheers!

  19. Thanks for any other informative site. The place else could I get that kind of information written in such an ideal
    method? I’ve a undertaking that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.

  23. I loved up to you will obtain performed right here. The cartoon is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. however, you command get bought an impatience over that you want be turning in the following. in poor health for sure come more previously once more since precisely the same nearly very often within case you defend this hike.

  24. I’m gone to inform my little brother, that
    he should also go to see this blog on regular basis to take updated from
    most up-to-date gossip.

  25. Howdy very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful ..

    Superb .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
    I am happy to find numerous helpful information here in the post, we want work out extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

  26. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
    My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know
    this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  33. Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue about this piece of writing
    at this place at this web site, I have read all
    that, so now me also commenting at this place.

  34. I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.

    I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.

    Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my
    mission.

  37. I do not even know the way I stopped up right here, however I assumed this submit was good.
    I do not recognise who you might be however certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already.
    Cheers!

Comments are closed.