Hund Museum

Hund Museum, with a rest house, is located near the sit where Alexander the Great crossed the Indus River. Alexander’s Memorial in the form of a Greek Corinthian pillar honoring the great conqueror has been erected here which is visible from the M1 Motorway. From Hund one can either go to Jehangira reaching the main Grand Trunk (G.T) Road. This way, one can visit the Kund National Park through a link road and on the way to Jehangira.

Points of Interest at the Hund Museum

  • Relics from the Gandhara civilization
  • Culinary artifacts
  • Weaponry items
  • Coins, jewelry, and clothing
  • A section of the Holy Quran (including the Persian translation by Shah Wali Ullah and Urdu translation by Molana Haq Delhevi)

Things to Do in Hund

The village of Hund, with around 80 families, is located on the banks of the Indus River, nestled between Attock Dam and Tarbela in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hund is also one of the significant Gandhara sites in the Swabi Mountains.

In addition to its historical significance, Hund is a popular summer picnic spot, offering a perfect blend of nature, culture, and tradition.

To revive its past glory, the government has made efforts to transform the area into a tourist destination. However, the region is still undergoing development, facing challenges such as inadequate roads, limited food options, and management issues. Despite these shortcomings, Hund attracts thousands of visitors every summer and during holidays.

How to Get There?
  • From Islamabad, the Hund Museum is 99 km away and can be reached in about 1.5 hours via AH1/M-1.
  • If traveling from Swabi, it’s a 35-minute drive (17 km) via Swabi Rd/Swabi – Jehangira Road.
  • From Chota Lahore, it will take around 22 minutes (11.6 km) via Swabi – Jahangira/Hund Rd and Hund Rd.

Best Time to Visit the Hund Museum

Hund enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year, making it a great place to visit anytime. However, the ideal time for a trip to the Hund Museum is from March to October. Even in winter, the weather is not too harsh.

Historical Significance of Hund

The Hund Museum is situated on the banks of the Indus River, above Attock, in the Swabi District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The village holds a crucial role in Pakistan’s ancient history. It has been a significant crossing point of the Indus River since 326 BC, believed to be the location where Alexander the Great crossed the river before advancing to Taxila.

In the 6th century AD, the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang visited Hund and referred to it as U-To-Kia-Han-Cha. Hund gained further prominence in the 9th century when it became the capital of the Hinda Shahi Dynasty, remaining so until 1025, when it was captured by Mehmood Ghaznavi. Later, the great Mughal emperor Akbar constructed a military fort in Hund to monitor the movements of the Yousafzai tribe.

In recognition of Hund’s historical importance, the Directorate of Archeology and Museum of KPK has been excavating the area since 1995 to uncover its hidden history. Recent excavations (as of 2009) have revealed structural remains and antiques, including coins, beads, pottery, and weaponry from the Hindu Shahi and Kushan periods.

A plaque commemorating the memory of the great monk Marnantha, born in Chota Lahore, was unveiled by Won Haeg, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, to highlight the religious links between Gandhara (Pakistan) and Korean Buddhism, which date back 1,935 years.