Takht-i-Bahi (Pashto/), is an Indo-Parthian archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist monastery in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The site is considered among the most important relics of Buddhism in all of what was once Gandhara. and was in use until the 7th century. Takht-i-Bahi was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1980, with UNESCO describing it as "exceptionally well-preserved."

Demographics

Population

As of the 2023 census, Takht-i-Bahi had a population of 85,040.

Location

The ruins are located about from Mardan in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. It is located around atop the small hill and around from the village bazar. An inscription bearing the name of Gondophares (2046CE)

The first modern historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by a French officer who referred to the Buddhist remains in a village named Mazdoorabad. The site underwent a major restoration in the 1920s.

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File:Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 017.jpg|Statue of the Buddha, Takht-i-Bahi, 2nd3rd century CE. Schist, H. . Museum für Indische Kunst.

File:PharroAndArdoxsho.jpg|Couple protectors Pañcika and Hariti, Takht-i-Bahi. British Museum.

File:Buddha on Lion Throne, Takht-i-Bahi, Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century AD, schist - Ethnological Museum, Berlin - DSC01656.JPG|The Buddha on lion throne. Takht-i-Bahi. Schist, H. . Museum für Indische Kunst.

File:Gandhara, shakyamuni in piedi, forse da takhi-i-bahi (pakistan), 150-200 dc ca.jpg|Shakyamuni, 150200CE, Cleveland Museum of Art, perhaps from Takht-i-Bahi

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Nearby localities

The villages of Thordher (Old name Said Ghani Kalae), Ghafe, Lund Khwar, Sher Garh, Saroo Shah, Sehri-Bahlol, Pathai, Mazdoorabad, Fazl-e-abad, Gangai, Hathian, Jalala, Pirsaddi, Takkar and Mashal Khan Kalai are other historical places in the vicinity of Takht-i-Bahi. The most historical location in the era is Sehri Bahlol. The monastery is situated on Malakand Road.

Various people have explained the word "Sehri-Bahlol" in different ways. Local people claim that it is a Hindko word meaning "Sir Bahlol," a prominent political and religious leader of the area. However, the village of Sehri-Bahlol is older than the name is.

See also

  • Buddhism in Pakistan
  • List of museums in Pakistan
  • List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan
  • Ranigat—Another historic site in Buner

References

  • Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol—UNESCO World Heritage List
  • UNESCO Periodic Report Summary—Includes a map of the complex
  • Map of Gandhara archeological sites, from the Huntington Collection, Ohio State University (1.4 MB JPEG)