Ancient Buddhist Sites in Afghanistan

• 25 Apr 2025

Source: TH 

The Taliban, once infamous for destroying historical artifacts like the Buddhas of Bamiyan in 2001, now claim to support the preservation of Afghanistan's ancient heritage sites. 

Key Buddhist Sites 

• Mes Aynak: Mes Aynak (in Logar province) is a major Buddhist archaeological site discovered in 1963. Occupied from the 1st century BC to the 10th century AD, it includes monasteries, stupas, a Zoroastrian fire temple, a mint, copper smelting workshops, and over 1,000 Buddhist statues, frescoes, and coins.  
  • Its art reflects Hellenistic, Indian, Persian, and Chinese influences. Situated on the Silk Road, it played a key role in spreading Buddhism from India to China. 

 

• Shewaki Stupa: The Shewaki Stupa of Kabul is over 20 meters wide and is a major Buddhist-era monument from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD.  
  • It reflects both Kushan and Hellenistic architectural styles (influenced by Greek culture) and was built with fieldstones, mud, and plaster.  
  • The stupa, once a key religious and caravan site, was first excavated in 1820 by archaeologists. 

• Bamiyan Buddhas: The 6th century Bamiyan Buddhas were two massive statues, carved into sandstone cliffs in central Afghanistan.  
  • They belong to Gandharan Buddhist art and reflected Buddhism’s cultural influence from the 1^st to 13^th centuries.  

 

• Kushan-era Inscriptions: In Laghman Province, archaeologists discovered 2,000-year-old Kushan-era rock niches, Brahmi inscriptions, and winemaking tools, highlighting the empire's vast reach from the Gobi Desert to the Ganga Valley. 

Read More: Bamiyan Buddhas , India’s Engagement with Taliban