Kanispor also known as Kanishpur is the archeological site located 7 kilometers from Baramulla. This site has been recognized to have the archeological collectables from the Neolithic to the early historic, Kushana, early and late medieval period of Kashmir. The name of this area has also been mentioned in Rajtarangini as Kanishkpora founded by the King Kanishka I (168-70BC) of Kushana dynasty. The famous archeologist in the British era MA Stein confirmed in his book that during his time carved stones and ancient coins were occasionally extracted from a mound near Kanispur. The site was excavated in three major area unearthing 39 quadrants of 17 squares. They found:
1. A large structure of diaper pebble walls of the Kushana period as well as habitation deposits of the Neolithic period were unearthed
2. A pavement marked by decorated terracotta tiles was unearthed which were arranged in a circular fashion
3. An excavation bearing a habitational deposit of around 2.50 metres of the Kushana period overlying the natural soil. This mound, according to the excavator, represents the main township of Kaniskapura founded by Kanishka.
From the excavation at these three areas of the site, the following cultural sequence was discerned:
1. Period I: Aceramic Neolithic (c. 3rd to 2nd Millennium BCE)
2. Period II: Ceramic Neolithic (c. 2nd to 1st Millennium BCE)
3. Period III: Kushana (c. 1st to 4th century CE)
4. Period IV: post Kushana (c. 4th to 6th century CE)
5. Period V: Kashmir dynasty (7th to 10th century CE)
Article has been compiled from
Archaelogical survery India – Kashmir
