Surkh Kotal

Surkh Kotal (Persian: چشمه شیر Chashma-i Shir; also called Sar-i Chashma, is an ancient archaeological site located in the southern part of the region of Bactria, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the city of Puli Khumri, the capital of Baghlan Province of Afghanistan.

The Rabatak inscription which gives remarkable clues on the genealogy of the Kushan dynasty was also found in the Robatak village just outside the site.

The most famous artifacts of this site are the Surkh Kotal inscriptions, the statue of King Kanishka and the fire altar.

The current, well-established name for the site was given to it by the French team of archaeologists headed by M. Schlumberger that originally surveyed the remains.

[3] Another possibility as to the ancient name of the site is Varnu - of or related to Varena, the kingdom where the Iranian mythical king Fereydun from the Pishdadian dynasty, is from.

Indeed, the ancient Greek historian Arrian mentions that the citizens of Bazira fled their fortified city and retreated to a highland rock in the region.

Alexander besieged the city from the south, so their northwestern retreat into the mountains and the convenient location of Varnu across the Bactrian plain makes sense.

[B: Moreover, this well was made by Borzomioro, son of Kozgaṣko, citizen of Hastilogan, attendant of Nokonziko, the karalrango, by order of the king.]

Probable statue of Kanishka , Surkh Kotal, 2nd century CE. Kabul Museum . [ 2 ]
The Surkh Kotal inscription (SK4) is the first known substantial document written in Bactrian, an Iranian language. It uses the Greek script . Time of Huvishka , 2nd century CE. [ 6 ]