Takht Bhai

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol


State Party = PAK
Type = Cultural
Criteria = iv
ID = 140
Region = Asia-Pacific
Year = 1980
Session = 4th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/140

Takht-i-Bahi (or Takhtbai or Takht-i-Bahi or Takht Bahai) is a Buddhist monastic complex dating back to 1st century BC. ["Takht-i-Bahi", UNESCO Office, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2002] It is located about 15 kilometers from Mardan in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province. ["Takht-i-Bahi", UNESCO Office, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2002] It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. ["Takht-i-Bahi", UNESCO Office, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2002]

"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.

History

The first historical reference to these ruins was made in 1836 by the French Officer, General Court. ["Takht-i-Bahi", UNESCO Office, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2002] Explorations and excavations on this site started after 1852. ["Takht-i-Bahi", UNESCO Office, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2002]

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

* [http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/maps/gandh.html Map of Gandhara archeological sites, from the Huntington Collection, Ohio State University (large file)]
* [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/140 Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol] - UNESCO World Heritage List
* [http://www.takhtbhai.com/ Takht Bhai informative website]