The present study is devoted to explore and critically examine the art and antiquities belonging to the period from the rise of Buddhism to 8th century A.D. when it was wiped out of this region and many Buddhist traditions were either lost or assimilated. Nevertheless, Buddhism is still a living force in Lahul & Spiti and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh of Jammu & Kashmir under the Buddhist traditions that proliferated in Tibet under the proselytizing activities of Shantarakshita-Padmasambhava team in 8th century A.D. In the present study, the prevalence of Buddhism in Himachal Pradesh and adjoining areas has been evaluated on the basis of different archaeological evidences scattered widely in the form of ruined structures, images, icons, inscriptions and coins belonging to the ancient era. Most of the archaeological material discussed in this work was discovered by the author during his field-work and has come for the first time on record. The already known archaeological evidences have also been examined in the relevant context. Various racio-cultural and sociological influences that found way into this region since the remotest period have been examined in the first chapter. This is followed by the study of rise and development of Buddhist culture in the sub-continent and its influence in the north-western Himalayan region under different imperial dynasties in the second chapter. The third chapter deals with the evolution of native pantheology and its interaction with the Buddhist and Brahminical pantheistic systems. The fourth chapter is devoted to the survey of various Buddhist archaeological sites of this region and in the fifth chapter the Buddhist antiquarian wealth, defined in various categories, has been evaluated. The sixth chapter concludes with a note of caution about the danger to the material cultural heritage of this region and the need to explore, conserve and study it to reveal the missing links of the regional history.
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