Salt Range: Difference between revisions

| native_name = {{lang|ur|{{nq|سلسلہ کوہ نمک}}}} {{in lang|ur}}

| location = [[Jhelum District]] , [[Chakwal District]] , [[Mianwali District]], [[SargodhaKhushab District]] , [[Punjab, Pakistan]]

| easiest_route = [[M2M-2 motorway (Pakistan)]]

The '''Salt Range''' ({{lang-pnb|{{nq|سلسلہ کوہ نمک}}}}) is a hill[[mountain systemrange]] in the north of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]<ref name=eb>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Salt Range |volume=24 |page=94}}</ref> province of [[Pakistan]], deriving its name from its extensive deposits of [[rock salt]].<ref name=eb/><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6118/ The Salt Range and Khewra Salt Mine] ''whc.unesco.org'', accessed 215 MayJune 20182023</ref> The range extends along the south of the [[Potohar Plateau]] and the north of the [[Jhelum River]]. The Salt Range contains the great mines of [[Khewra]], [[Kalabagh]] and [[Warcha]] which yield vast supplies of salt.<ref name=eb/> [[Coal]] of a medium quality is also found.<ref name=eb/> The Salt Range starts from the Bakralla and [[Tilla Jogian]] ridges in the east and extends to the west of River Jhelum.<ref name=WWF/>

Two interesting sites are close to Kathwai, Kutte Mar, and [[Tulaja fortFort]]. At Kuttee Mar to the Northeast of Kathwai are Muslim graves made of Kangar and the purported grave of a dog that is said to have died defending the wedding procession of its owner from an attack by bandits. Kutte Mar may have been the place where the Khura inscription of Toramana was found (Buhler 1891–92, 238–41; Sircar 1965: 422–4). If this assessment is correct, a Buddhist monastery was established here around 500. A.D. This inscription and another fragmentary inscription found at Sakaser (Pakistan Archaeology 5, 1968: 284-70284–70) confirm that this area was a flourishing, center for Buddhism, which is borne out by the extensive archaeological remains.

The Tulaja fort is located on a huge rock outcropping with sheer cliffs overlooking the shrine of Kacchianwalla and the Punjab plains. The entire area is covered with the ruins of defensive walls, houses, and other structures made of large stone blocks. Although one building has been identified as a mosque, it is very difficult to distinguish other religious, military or civil structures. One of the most interesting features is a large square tank made of the flat rectangular bricks, which may have supplied water so that the fort could withstand a siege. Comparing this tank with those in other forts may help in assigning a relative date to its construction. In addition to architectural styles, evidence from any coins, which are found here, may help to indicate if this city belonged to the period of the Turk Sultans, Lodhis or Mughals. Extensive remains of a cemetery and other settlements are on the slopes below the fort. There are also supposed to be some remains on Tulaji across the valley from Talaja.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/CG2009_BOOK_03/CG2009_BOOK_03_Chapter06.pdf|title=The Salt Range: Pakistan's unique field museum of geology and paleontology| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826101523/http://paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/CG2009_BOOK_03/CG2009_BOOK_03_Chapter06.pdf |archive-date=2012-08-26|access-date=5 June 2023 |url-status=dead |author=Shahid Jamil Sameeni}}</ref>

The Salt Range has a high level of biodiversity and is home to a number of wildlife sanctuaries ([[Chumbi Surla Wildlife Sanctuary |ChumbiSurla]], Jahlar Lake, Sodhi, Khabekki Lake and KundalRakh) and protected areas, including the [[Chinji National Park]] and several forest (e.g. Simli Reserved Forest and Noorpur Reserved Forest) and wetland areas (including [[Uchhali Lake |Ucchali]], Jahlar and [[Khabikki Lake|Khabbiki]] lakes).<ref name=WWF>[{{cite web|url=http://www.wwfpak.org/ecoregions/SaltRange.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522002221/http://www.wwfpak.org/ecoregions/SaltRange.php|title=The Salt Range], ''wwfpak.org'',(Khewra accessedSalt 21Mine)|website=World MayWildlife Fund - Pakistan|access-date=5 June 20182023}}</ref>

[[Category:HistoryGeography of Punjab, Pakistan]]