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| Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol* | |
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| State Party |  Pakistan |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv |
| Reference | 140 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1980 (4th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
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Takht-i-Bahi (or Takhtbai or Takht-i-Bahi or Takht Bahai) is a Buddhist monastic complex dating back to 1st century BC.[1] It is located about 15 kilometers from Mardan in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province.[2] It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.[3]
Takht means "throne" and bahi, "water" or "spring" in Persian/Urdu. The monastic complex was called Takht-i-Bahi because it was built atop a hill and also adjacent to a stream.
Takhtbai is the most fertile tehsile in the Mardan Division. There are many crops grown in the Takht Bai Tehsile, some of which are tobacco, wheat and sugar cane. Asia's first sugar mill was built here by the British Government near the Buddhist monastery.
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History
The first historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by the French Officer, General Court.[4] Explorations and excavations on this site started after 1852. [5]
Nearby Localities
The villages of Lund Khwar, Sher Garh Charsadda Sehri-Bahloland Mazdoor Abad is another historical place in the vicinity of Takht-Bhai. It contains the remains of Buddha which has not been properly excavated. The word "Sehri-Bahlol" has been explained by various people in different ways. The local people, however, explain that this a word of Hindi Language and means "Sir Bahlol" a prominent political and religiously leader of the area. However the name is not so old as the village Sehri-Bahlol. The village is located on hillack surrounded by lush green field where the local people practice agriculture. Economically people are poor with low literacy ratio. The local people continue illegal excavation in their homes and land demaging the historical monoments. Some of the local dealors of antiques misguide the local population and instigate them to involve them in illegal excavation. It requires national and international attention so that to reserve the raimnants at Sehri-Bahlol.
References
External links
- Sawal Dher
- Map of Gandhara archeological sites, from the Huntington Collection, Ohio State University (large file)
- Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol - UNESCO World Heritage List
- Takht Bhai informative website
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