Srinagar: It has been confirmed once again that Kashmir was a land of Hindus since over a thousand years back.
The confirmation came in the form of a 1200-year-old sculpture of 3-headed Lord Vishnu being recovered in Budgam district of central Kashmir.
The sculpture, with four arms and a lotus in the raised right hand, dates back to 9th Century AD, officials said after examination.
The sculpture was found by local Muslims of Gudsathoo village during digging of land yesterda, the police said here today.
The villagers informed the police which took it in its possession.
Today, a team of Archives, Archaeology and Museums was called for examination of the sculpture, the police said.
After examining the sculpture thoroughly, they established that the recovered sculpture is of Lord Vishnu, a police spokesman said.
It is a mix of Gandhara and Mathura School of Art, the experts concluded.
Earlier in March too, a similar 3-headed sculpture of Lord Vishnu, dating back to 9th century AD, was found in Awantipora area of Pulwama district of South Kashmir.
That sculpture was recovered by labourers while extracting sand from the River Jhelum.
It was a finely-carved, well-dressed and polished sculpture.
