 A view of the site's main cluster of ruins | |
  Takht-i-Bahi تختِ باہی Shown within Pakistan Show map of Pakistan Takht-i-Bahi تختِ باہی Takht-i-Bahi Show map of Gandharaتختِ باہی (Gandhara) | |
| Location | Mardan,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°17′10″N71°56′48″E / 34.28611°N 71.94667°E /34.28611; 71.94667 |
| Type | Settlement |
| Area | ... |
| History | |
| Founded | 1st century CE |
| Abandoned | 7th century CE |
| Official name | Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains atSahr-i-Bahlol |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv |
| Designated | 1980(4thsession) |
| Reference no. | 140 |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
Takht-i-Bahi (Pashto/Urdu:تختِ باهی,lit. 'throne of the water spring'), is anIndo-Parthian archaeological site of an ancientBuddhistmonastery inMardan,Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan. The site is considered among the most important relics of Buddhism in all of what was onceGandhara.[1]
The monastery was founded in the 1st century CE,[2] and was in use until the 7th century.[1] The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era.[3] Takht-i-Bahi was listed as aWorld Heritage Site in 1980,[2][4] withUNESCO describing it as "exceptionally well-preserved."[1]
The origin of the name Takht-i-Bahi is uncertain. According to a local belief, the site got its name from two wells on the hill or the springs nearby. In Persian,Takht means 'top' or 'throne' whilebahi means 'spring' or 'water'. When put together, their meaning is 'spring from the top' or 'high spring', referencing two springs on the top of mountains. Another suggested meaning is 'throne of origin'.[4]
Another etymology suggests that the name Takht-i-Bahi was possibly given to this monastery complex after the Muslims settled in the region. The word "Bahi" (بهی) or "Behhi" is neither Pashto nor Persian, and in one sense in Arabic, "Bahi" means beautiful and bright. In another sense, "Bahi" (بهی) means "بهی البیت بهیاً: the house which is empty and abandoned"; therefore, the "Takht-i-Bahi" (Takht = castle, palace) means a castle where in there no longer is settled a king and has remained abandoned.[5]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | ... | — |
| 1961 | 3,181 | — |
| 1972 | 12,069 | +12.89% |
| 1981 | 18,325 | +4.75% |
| 1998 | 49,202 | +5.98% |
| 2017 | 80,721 | +2.64% |
| 2023 | 85,040 | +0.87% |
| Sources:[6][7] | ||
As of the2023 census, Takht-i-Bahi had a population of 85,040.[8]
The ruins are located about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) fromMardan inPakistan'sKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.[2] A small fortified city, dating from the same era, sits nearby.[1] The ruins also sit near a modern village known by the same name.[9] It is located around 150 metres (500 ft) atop the small hill and around 2 km (1.2 mi) from the village bazar.[4] The surrounding area is known for cultivating sugar cane, wheat, maize, vegetable,. Once remote and little visited, the site now has a road and car park below the ruins and has become popular with visitors.
There are four main areas of the Takht Bahi complex:
Additional structures on the site may have served as residences or meeting halls or for secular purposes.[9] All of the buildings on the site are constructed from local stone and are mortared with lime and mud.[9]
Archaeologists divided the history of the complex into four periods, beginning in the 1st century BCE.[9]
The monastic complex was likely founded in the early 1st centuryCE.[1] An inscription bearing the name ofGondophares (20–46 CE)[4] has been found at the site. After Gondophares, the area came under the control ofKujula Kadphises,[4] the firstKushan king. This first era continued until the 2nd century CE and is associated with another Kushan kingKanishka, as well as earlyParthian and subsequent Kushan kings.[9] The second construction period, which included the creation of the Stupa Court and assembly hall, occurred 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 region was subjugated byHuns in the middle of the fifth century CE, which ended theKushan rule. The Hun rulerToramana and his sonMihirakula killed many inhabitants of the Gandhara region and destroyed most Buddhist monasteries. Evidence suggests that Takht-i-Bahi was damaged in the same period of destruction by the Huns. However, the complex appears to have been in use until the 7th century CE.[4][10]
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.[9] Explorations and excavations on the site began in 1864.[9] A significant number of objects can be found in theBritish Museum.[11] The site underwent a major restoration in the 1920s.[3]
A famous stair-riser from Takht-i-Bahi, now in the British Museum, shows devotees in Hellenistic costume.[12]
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The villages ofThordher (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 isSehri 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 aHindko 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.
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