Buddhas of Bamiyan before and after destruction

The
Bamiyan
Buddhas
were
two
colossal
Buddhist
statues
carved
into rock
faces
In the
Bamiyan
province
central of
Afghanistan
during
the
6th to 7th
century.

Carving of Bamiyan Buddhas by Alexander Burnes, 1832

The 180 feet high
(55m), Salsal statue,
which means “The
light shine through
the universe,” was also
known as the
“Western Buddha,”
was referred as a
male.

One of the Bamiyan

Buddhas, 1997
 Smaller Bamiyan
Buddha called
“Shah Mama” or
Queen Mother“
and identified as a
female figure, was
also known
“Eastern
Buddha.”

(One of the Buddhas,

Bamiyan Afghanistan),
120 feet high (38m),
6th-7th century.
 Lateral rows of attending kings
and dignitaries
Most of the surfaces in the niche housing
the Buddha have been decorated with
colorful murals, surrounding with
paintings.
Central medallion, sun God on his
chariot Ceiling of the Buddhas Bamiyan, 7th century
 The
Bamiyan
Buddhas
showcased
a Fusion
of artistic
style

Digital recreation of the Bamiyan Buddhas by Chinese artists Janson Yu and Liyan Hu in 2015, via
International Business Times.
Before being destroyed, the Bamiyan Buddhas
were once among the largest sculptures in the
entire world.

One of the Bamiyan Buddhas being destroyed in 2001

Two Taliban fighters
patrol at the site
where a
monumental
Buddhas statue was
once carved into the
side of a cliff in
Bamiyan.

Photo by Oliver
Weiken, 2001.
The Taliban fighters by Mullah Mohammad
Omar’s declaration made it their mission to
destroy the Bamiyan Buddhas, because the
thought that this statue was against Islam and
peoples’ religion.
3th March 2001 Bamiyan
 Bamiyan Buddhas

after destruction

Site of the larger statue after it

was destroyed, 2005
 After
Bamiyan

destruction
Buddha

Site of the smaller statue 2005

The project aims to rebuild this historic place again. Under the Taliban blueprint, the are will
become a tourism center with restaurants, gasethouses, and handicraft.
Emma Graham-Harrison in Bamiyan (Tue.2 Aug.2022)
A tattered
Taliban flag flies
from the roof of
a hotel in
Bamiyan,
Afghanistan.

Photo by Rick Noack,

June 15, 2023