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Takht-i-Bahi

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Takht-i-Bahi
Takht-i-Bahi
Takht-i-Bahi is located in Pakistan
Takht-i-Bahi
Shown within Pakistan
LocationMardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
TypeSettlement
History
Founded1st century BCE
Abandoned7th century CE
Official nameBuddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
TypeCultural
Criteriaiv
Designated1980 (4th session)
Reference no.140
RegionAsia-Pacific

Takht-i-Bahi (also spelled Takht Bahi, Takht Bhai or Takh Bay) is a Parthian archaeological site in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It was first a Zoroastrian complex which, after the later arrival of Buddhism, was then converted into a Buddhist monastic complex. It is dated to the 1st century BCE.[1] The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era.[2] It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.[1][3]

Etymology

The word Takht-i-Bahi (Urdu: تخت بھائی) may have different explanations. Local believes that site got its name from two wells on the hill or the springs nearby. In Persian, Takht means "top" or "throne" while bahi means "spring" or "water". When combined together its meaning is Spring from the Top or High Spring, and there were two springs on the top of mountains. Another meaning suggested is Throne of Origin.[3]

Location

The ruins are located about 15 kilometers from Mardan in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.[1] A small fortified city, dating from the same era, sits nearby.[4] The ruins also sit near a modern village known by the same name.[5] It is located around 500 feet atop the small hill and around 2 km from village bazar.[3] The surrounding area is famous for sugar cane, wheat, maize, vegetable, and orchard cultivation.

Structure

There are four main areas of the Takht Bahi complex:

  • The Stupa Court, a cluster of stupas located in a central courtyard.[2]
  • The monastic chambers, consisting of individual cells arranged around a courtyard, assembly halls, and a dining area.[2]
  • A temple complex, consisting of stupas and similar to the Stupa Court, but of later construction.[2]
  • The Tantric monastic complex, which consists of small, dark cells with low openings, which may have been used for certain forms of Tantric meditation.[2]

Additional structures on the site may have served as residences or meeting halls, or for secular purposes.[5] All of the buildings on the site are constructed from local stone, and are mortared with lime and mud.[5]

History

Public park below the buddhist monastic relics, Takht-e- bhai

Archaeologists have divided the history of the complex into four periods, beginning in the 1st century BCE.[5]

The monastic complex was likely founded in the early 1st century BCE.[4] It is proven by an inscriptions found bearing the name of Gondophares (20-46 CE).[3] After Gondophares, the place fell under control of Kujula Kadphises,[3] the first Kushan king. This first era continued until the 2nd century CE, and is associated with another Kushan king Kanishka, as well as early Parthian and later Kushan kings.[5] The second construction period, which included the creation of the Stupa Court and assembly hall, took place during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE. A third construction period, associated with the later Kushan dynasty and the Kidara Kushana rulers, occurred during the 4th and 5th centuries. The final construction period, which saw the creation of the so-called Tantric complex, took place in the 6th and 7th centuries CE, and was overseen by invading Hun rulers.

Despite numerous invasions into the area, Takht-i-Bahi's hilltop location seems to have protected it from destruction, unlike many comparable early Buddhist monastic complexes.[4] The complex was occupied continuously until Late Antiquity (7th century CE),[3] when charitable funding for the site ended.[2]

The first modern historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by the French Officer, the Buddhist remains are in a village named Mazdoorabad.[5] Explorations and excavations on this site began in 1864.[5] A significant number of objects from the site can be found in the British Museum.[6] The site underwent a major restoration in the 1920s.[2]

Archaeological remains

Works of art

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-Bhai. The most historical location in the era is Sehri Bahlol. This Buddhist monastery is situated on Malakand Road.

The word "Sehri-Bahlol" has been explained by various people in different ways. Local people claim that this is a Hindko word meaning "Sir Bahlol", a prominent political and religious leader of the area. However, the name is not as old as the village of Sehri-Bahlol.

Meager economic conditions, poor educational facilities, and the nefarious effect of dealers of antiquities often result in severe hazard for the proper preservation of archaeological heritage in minor, less controlled sites.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Takht-i-Bahi, UNESCO Office, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2002
  2. ^ a b c d e f g UNESCO Advisory Body Evaluation of Takht Bhai
  3. ^ a b c d e f Khaliq, Fazal (1 June 2015). "Takht-i-Bhai: A Buddhist monastery in Mardan". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b c UNESCO Descrtiption
  5. ^ a b c d e f g UNESCO Periodic Report
  6. ^ British Museum Collection
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