A cave site near Islamabad has been used by humans since the Stone Age. The Pakistani government wants to develop the site, angering the group who claim to be its guardians.
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00:00These caves are situated on the main trade route of the ancient times, which were connected
00:19from Central Asia to Texla and then the rest of the subcontinent.
00:25Before the construction of the present day Grand Trunk Road, this route was used by the
00:31travellers from Central Asia to India.
00:37I think these caves were basically used by travellers who were travelling on this ancient
00:45trade route.
00:49We also have some evidence from the prehistoric times, because these Margalla Hills are very
00:55important and we have the evidence of human beings from 40,000 B.C.
01:05Because it was the Middle Stone Age, there was evidence of the human beings in this area.
01:15These caves were used by the local Hindus, who were living in Shah Ladita Cave.
01:22Before the creation of Pakistan in 1947, these people were living here and for their daily
01:30worship they used to go to these caves.
01:34After the creation of Pakistan, the Hindu community living in the Shah Ladita Cave,
01:39they left this area and migrated to India.
01:45This is a very good thing.
02:09When Pakistan was created in 1947, this place was with us.
02:14I have become a grandfather of this place.
02:16This is my 4th or 5th generation living here.
02:23Believe me, I feel very sad when I see this.
02:26I feel very sad when I see this.
02:28I feel very sad when I see this.
02:30We should make such places, so that people from all over the world can come here.
02:34There are no such so-called caretakers.
02:37This site has been handed over to us by the Evacuation Trust.
02:41The caretakers of this site are the Department of Archaeology and Museum.
02:45The people who are running their businesses, selling tea, etc.,
02:50if they call themselves caretakers, they are wrong.
02:53There is no such thing.
03:05The amount of tourists who come here and stuff,
03:08it should be supported to keep it clean.
03:11At the same time, there are certain developments being made around,
03:15so the government should ensure that those developments do not change
03:18the local demographics of such places at the same time.
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