SANG-e SURAKH, Alishang

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A modified natural temple cave (note 1) with rock art (inscriptions) spoiled by idiots (note 2) is sacred to (Sufi?) Muslims. SITUATION: In the face of a marble cliff opposite of Ghar –>Koh Chigui: Above the right bank of the torrent but only 15 or 20 m above the riverbed. The site lies at one hour's walking distance in an unspecified direction from Alishang (note 3) and several hundred metres from a winter-camp (without known name) used by nomads of an unrecognised tribe. CAVE DESCRIPTION: A high vaulted chamber with two cave entrances at its sides renders the cave a character reminiscent of a natural bridge. There are, however, many accessory cavities, generally roundish in shape, of which one descents for 3 or 4 m into darkness. CULTURAL HISTORY - rock art (epigraphy): A large inscription in Persian language and script commemorates the visit of Emir Habibollah Khan in 1329 A.D. LINDBERG (1958: 135, 1961a: 24) notes numerous other, ancient inscriptions (perhaps in Bengali), partlyerased (apparently by Muslim iconoclasts). TRIMMEL (1968: 266 after LINDBERG 1962b) confirms: Zahlreiche alte Inschriften --in Persisch und möglicherweise in Bengali -- enthält die Höhle Sri Tigheh im Distrikt Ali Cheng nördlich Djelalabad.CAVE LIFE: JUBERTHIE & DECU (2001: 1745, 1747) list Oligochaeta: Lumbrichidae: Allobophora caliginosa SAVIGNY; Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae: Microcreagris herculea BEIER; Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eremogryllodes major CHOPARD.erased (apparently by Muslim iconoclasts). TRIMMEL (1968: 266 after LINDBERG 1962b) confirms: Zahlreiche alte Inschriften --in Persisch und möglicherweise in Bengali -- enthält die Höhle Sri Tigheh im Distrikt Ali Cheng nördlich Djelalabad.CAVE LIFE: JUBERTHIE & DECU (2001: 1745, 1747) list Oligochaeta: Lumbrichidae: Allobophora caliginosa SAVIGNY; Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae: Microcreagris herculea BEIER; Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eremogryllodes major CHOPARD.