Seri Bahlol that is also known as Sehri Bahlol is a historical place located 70 kilometers north-west Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. This village is situated on a small hill and is and is surrounded by the sophisticated stone wall. The wall that protects the village is damaged in many places but still can be seen in many places. Seri Bahlol is one of the historical places of Pakistan and it was included in UNESCO World Heritage List in the year of 1980. Being an historical place, this village contains many ruins of Buddha that have not been properly unearthed. The people living there commonly find many antiques like statues, coins and jewellery.
Different people explain name of this village Seri Bahlol differently but according to the local people the name is made up of two Hindko words Sheri and Bahlol. Sehri means “sir” and Bahlol was the name of a renowned political and religious personality of that area. It is believed that name of village is after his name but village name is not that old as the village.
Importance of this village is because of remains of the Buddha that can be easily excavated frequently. Attention and concern that this village requires is not being shown by the authorities that is encouraging the local people to dig their homes and lands illegally to get the precious antiques. They cause damage to those antiques because of lack of expertise. To reserve the remnants at Sehri Bahlol, attention from national and international authorities is required.
It is a small village, estimated household here is 750, and estimated population is approximately 5250. Literacy level is low here especially among females. For girls one primary and middle school is established here and one primary and high school for boys. Only one basic health unit to provide the health facilities to local people is running here under the administration of People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative.
People living here belong to different tribes as Gujar, Mohmand, Bajouri, etc. local people extensively support each other in the times of death and other ceremonies and they show respect for each other. Women living here observe pardah. Economical condition of local people is poor and most of them are engaged in different economic activities. There is fertile land in the surroundings of the village and most of the people practice agriculture. Agriculture activities do not fulfill the needs so to meet those needs some people have started their business in the towns of Mardan, Gujar Garhi and Takht Bhai.
