The Indo-Greek Fortified City of Barikot (Swat).The Beginning of the Mature Urban Phase (~ 150 BCE)

This paper analyzes the transformation of Barikot (ancient Bazira, Swat) into an Indo-Greek fortified city around 150 BCE. Excavations in Sector K revealed an eight-meter stratigraphy spanning from the Proto-Urban to the Kushan periods. Utilizing a Bayesian model based on 26 radiocarbon samples, the authors establish a refined chronology for the Mature Urban Phase. This era is physically defined by massive defensive walls featuring bastions spaced at 100 Attic feet (28 meters). Archaeological evidence, including multilingual inscriptions (Greek, Brahmi, Aramaic) and coins of kings like Menander I and Antialkidas, highlights the site’s importance as a diverse urban center. The authors argue that Barikot acted as a crucial strategic bulwark and "economic pool," securing agricultural and mineral resources for major cities like Pushkalavati. By integrating scientific dating with numismatic and historical data, the research redefines the geopolitical role of Swat within the Indo-Greek kingdom.