Jesus in Kashmir: The Lost Tomb

by Suzanne Olsson

June, 2018-International Best-selling author Suzanne Olsson has won worldwide acclaim for her research in to the life of Jesus in India, the real magi kings, the Persian Empire's influence on Jesus' life, the crucifixion plot, and her quest to catalog DNA from ancient tombs under threat. Her book contains many original firsts that keep scholars taking notes. She worked with archeology greats including Dr. Ahmad Hassan Dani of Pakistan and Dr. Fida Hassnain of India. She appears in documentaries for the India Historical Society with such notables as the Dalai Lama and Elain Pagels. A graduate of New York University, Olsson served as a volunteer at Red Cross refugee camps worldwide, often dodging bullets and saving lives by horse and camel while gaining a unique historical perspective on local people and world issues. She spent ten years living in India, Pakistan, and war-torn Afghanistan, traveling the Himalayas to remote monasteries and tombs to document and catalogue ancient relics, gaining the nickname "Indiana Sue" from locals who adopted her as their folk hero. She appeared regularly on local televisions and newspapers. The information she presents is entertaining, well written, and will hold your attention page after page as new information is shared here for the first time. This book will ripple through the future with chilling consequences.

Genres: History

500 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2007

Reviews

[James Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second edition (2012) of this book and want to revise my initial impression of the previous edition. The author has put tremendous effort into addressing the problems with the previous edition and it shows. The most dominant thing that springs to my mind when I sum up this book is; The accumulation of research presented is phenomenal, and now it is backed up with sources. The author obviously has a passion for this subject to have done so much work in presenting data gathered from archives, monasteries, forgotten tomes of history, cultural facts, little known and difficult to access documents, etc. I say "this subject" but it is difficult to narrow down the broad scope represented in this book to one focus. The idea that Jesus survived the crucifixion is, of course, not new. The idea that he returned to India to travel and minister to those there, even though it has been written about many years ago, is a strange, even heretical, idea to contemporary Christians. Yet there are ancient documents found and recorded in the area of Tibet and Kashmir that compel one to at least consider the possibility. Then she introduces 'cultural conflicts' that emphasize the ongoing and relentless attacks upon the churches that Jesus founded. It was a shocking eye-opener for me. I do not want to unravel the mystery of this book, but leave that to the next reader. There are so many bits of collected facts, myths and legends here, that each reader will have to take his time and consider what it could mean NOW. I say now, because this may be the time for this great mystery to be revealed.
This doesn't represent the whole of it. She also dangles before us the fascinating idea of a data bank of DNA from the remains of early Christian tombs, including those reputed to be of the family of Jesus. How can one resist such an appealing prospect? When I read of the entombed remains that still exist, I yearned for such testing to be performed before these same remains are destroyed by war or enemies of the Christian faith. The author rightly describes the urgency of getting this job done. Politics, governments, religious antagonism have stood in the way but perhaps now is the time. Of course, even if dna is found and the results become a matter of record, and that DNA is compared to others, ancient and still living, what will it solve?
One thing that made a real impact on me was when the author spent Christmas huddled alone in the Roza Bal tomb, surrounded by soldiers and terrorists. I would not have had the stamina or courage under any circumstances to remain as long as she did- just to gather every shred of evidence. And she did a superb job of it! Several things stated in the New Testament books took on a whole new slant for me. This book was an educational experience for me, and I'm glad I read it and will be interested in any further research done in this area. The book remains on my shelf as a valuable resource.
Many of the questions asked of the reader can't be answered yet, but the questions needed to be asked. This provocative book offers enticing avenues that we should explore further. I DO recommend this revised edition. It will probably astound you.

[Stephan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all roads lead to Rome,
One road leads to Kashmir

This book blew my mind. It was rich in historical details, with many references to historical sources. I couldn't let it go. Tragically, there has been a systematic destruction of evidence from the Jesus tomb by the Muslims. It's pretty much the same destruction that is taking place under the temple mount in Jerusalem. Hence, eliminating relics and destroying all signs of evidence of Jewish existence. Sadly it has became a norm. I was devastated by the fact that India has failed to protect the Roza Bal shrine. The desecration of the tomb began centuries ago when the Muslims buried one of their own saints in the same tomb next to Jesus, thereupon gradually they have removed all the Jewish evidence from the shrine and Islamized it. However, despite such a desecration Suzanne Olsson has managed to unravel the truth. The author exhibited compelling evidence from various of sources including archaeological artifacts from the Rozabal temple. The authors empirical research was thorough and profound. It was a mind blowing read for me. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the real burial place of Jesus. I just hope that the government of India will follow Suzanne Olssons vision to erect a museum for the world to cherish what is left from the Shrine of Roza bal.

[Michael Cortez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book. I bought this after listening to Olsson on 'Coast to Coast' radio, when she threw out there some fascinating claims, such as Prester John and Knights of the Round Table. I researched further and found out she was accurate about everything. The book is a combination of her quest for her own family genealogy/DNA and somehow this led her off to search for the Jesus bloodline as well.
She has woven the two searched in to one and includes lots of pictures, maps, and charts. She has obviously put a lot of research in to this book. I am very impressed with the book and the author.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written- extremely dense and packed with notes, bibliographies, maps, charts. After reading this, who can deny that is NOT Jesus hidden in the Roza Bal tomb! The evidence is overwhelming. The DNA Project has the potential to change the world. It is THAT important.
The author lived in the region for years, and during the height of the Taliban War, yet won the respect, hearts, and minds of the Taliban, who regarded her as a 'holy person.' A dam good historical, factual book- well worth the time to read.

[Vijay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native of India (Punjab) I am acutely sensitive to the accuracy and depth of understanding with which various foreign writers approach topics close to my heart and my home. In this book, I felt the author's overwhelming sensitivity and depth of understanding of India culture. Olsson summarizes huge overlaying sweeps, conveying thousands of years of history in a few broad strokes of the pen. Several chapters are stand-alone summations of one Jewish-Hebrew prophet associated with Kashmir; Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David, Mother Mary and Jesus.

This is an immense piece of work, a true labor of love, and a book full of passion and enthusiasm.
There are many illustrations and photographs, making the reading a visual pleasure as well.

Parts of the book I found particularly interesting were about art, scripture and other texts suggesting a possible extra-terrestrial explanation behind religious ideas and folklore. Some will scoff at this, but I actually find it rather plausible, right in step with the modern space age theories. Olsson examines if the experiences of Jesus could be deeply rooted with such connections. "On earth as it is in Heaven" has interpretations I wont soon forget. The book draws no conclusions, it should be said, but offers much food for thought, a new way of thinking outside the box of conventionality. I loved this section as it gave me much to think about long after I finished the book.

The section called Cultural Terrorism addresses Islamic fundamentalism. The threat has particular relevance to this book because of increasing attacks on all religious sites, tombs and cemeteries that make the news weekly. Kashmir would do well to throw the doors of Roza Bal wide open with no restrictions to science and get to the truth. Otherwise Kashmir and the world may pay the price for this stubborn ignorance and fundamentalism for eternity. Who wants that? No one.

I agree with the other reviewers. The Roza Bal tomb in Kashmir is under great threat, and regardless of who may or may not be buried there, the desire by many to destroy such an important historic site should concern us all. Olsson did a commendable job tracking down the missing and stolen artifacts, the very items that make such a powerful proof for the identity of the man buried in this tomb. Few are aware how compelling this evidence is. Olsson was able to locate and document much during her research there. She should be commended for this accomplishment.

She is highly regarded in this region. Stories abound about her kindness and generosity and great risk-taking to help others when asked, even trekking in the mountains alone with only Taliban as guards and guides, to bring food, blankets, medicine and aid to a dying old grandmother who she gave a comfortable and dignified death, even if it was in a hovel in a mountainside. The old grandmother's son was a member Al Quaida, but that didn't matter. Olsson was a sacred person on a holy mission for the prophet Jesus. Not a hair of her head was to be disrespected. Stories like this are not in her book, but are well known in the region. Olsson is both Indiana Jones and a Mother Theresa in urban legends. She could have included more personal experiences like these in her book, but she did not. Her research is really a personal quest connected to her own ancient family roots somewhere in this region. Her determined sense of mission is compelling. I wish her well and hope she eventually succeeds. There is more to come from her story and I for one eagerly anticipate what happens next.
All in all, there is a great deal to like and admire in this book and about the author. I recommend reading this. It will be a life-changer for many.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book about the relationship of India to the Hebrews and, of course, Jesus. This book is so full of information that it was a bit daunting. I also found it a little difficult to always understand Olsson's 'point'. She is honest in admitting that she is lacking in sources. Much of her book is based on tradition/myth. She includes many photos from her extensive travels and it's interesting to see many of the sites that she refers to in her book. And although I admire her open-mindedness, her references to aliens will prevent this book from having 'mainstream' appeal. Nevertheless, I have several pages of notes of items that I found interesting.

[Newagenorm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be the most stunning and memorable book I have read in years. Well written, full of facts I didn't know about early Christianity, Jesus, terrorism, India, and a whole lot more. Highly recommended.

[Dreaming Though Awake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure it's all fantasy. But still well written book. And although i doubt jesus ever came to India , perhaps some Indic thoughts influenced him. Eh let's c

[Suzanne Olsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! New ideas on every page- lots of sources for additional reading.

[Shivatva Beniwal]

IF you think Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are religions, then, surely you've no understanding of the fundamentals of religion. The truth is that these Semitic origin religions are mere political propaganda to control and exploit masses. Abraham, their first patriarch, was a power thirsty man. He wanted to become a king but it wasn't possible for him to overthrow the then ruler of Babylon, so, he along with his 'sheep' went to Canaan--a dead desert--to found a new kingdom. And that's the beginning of the suffering of the Israelites, because there were food and water shortages in Canaan.

You can say the same about Moses. He founded Judaism as a national movement to unify the Israelites and liberate them from the slavery of the Pharaoh of Egypt.

However, Jesus (of course, he was influenced by eastern thought) tried to interpret Judaism from eastern perspective but he was found guilty of being blasphemous. Later, his (Jesus') sheep went to harvest his teachings and established Christianity.

Later, Christianity had become a political tool of the Roman Empire. They had to counter Jewish extremists who promoted the subversive idea that their own Jewish king should govern the world on behalf of God and in place of Caesar. If the Romans couldn’t pacify these Jews, it would set a dangerous precedent for other races to revolt. The government needed to keep control over the trade routes to Asia and Egypt. They must have been frustrated at having to repeatedly use force to suppress Jewish extremists, as it was disruptive, expensive, and taxing on the army.

[Manche · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book, I could read it twice.