Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol

These extensive remains of the Buddhist monastic establishment or Sangharama, were placed on the World Heritage List in 1980, and popularly known as the "throne of origins". This archaeological site and its associated secular buildings are located about 15 kilometres north-east of the city of Mardan in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
The Takht-i-Bahi Complex, a gigantic Buddhist establishment was discovered in 1852 by European Lieutenants Lumsden and Stokes. The complex comprises several well-knit units:

i) Court of Many Stupas
ii) Monastery
iii) Main Stupa
iv) Assembly Hall
v) Low Level Chambers
vi) Courtyard
vii) Court of Three Stupas
viii) Wall of Colossi
ix) Secular buildings

All these structures are built in grey-coloured limestone, in mud mortar.

About five kilometres south-west of Takht-i-Bahi, is the modern village of Sahr-i-Bahlol, which occupies an extensive mound containing the remains of an ancient city, dating back to the same period.

The excavations at Takht-i-Bahi and Shar-i-Bahlol have yielded a large number of fine sculptures of Buddha, Boddisattavas and other deities, both in stone and stucco. Other valuable antiquities have also been found in the vicinity.

Being of outstanding quality and significance, the remains of Takht-i-Bahi have received much attention of the conservators. Consequently, conservation work on the site has been carried out periodically. The recent conservation works are a good example of a judicious mix of traditional as well as modern conservation practice. However, the residential buildings too, need the attention of conservators.

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