Buddhas of Bamiyan
The Bamiyan Valley sits at an elevation of 1,800 meters in the Hindu Kush mountains. Here, two monumental Buddhist reliefs were carved possibly around the 6th century. Carbon dating of structural components found in the rubble determined that the smaller Eastern Buddha was built around 570 CE. The larger Western Buddha dates to approximately 618 CE. These dates place both statues within the era when the Hephthalites ruled the region. The Hephthalite Principalities of Tokharistan and northern Afghanistan commissioned these works. Bamiyan lies on the Silk Road, a caravan route linking markets from China to the Western world. Monks lived as hermits in small caves carved into the cliff sides. They embellished their caves with religious statuary and elaborate frescoes. Most of these monks shared the culture of Gandhara. The Great Buddhas measured 55 meters and 38 meters tall respectively. Before being blown up in 2001, they were the largest examples of standing Buddha carvings in the world. The site remained a Buddhist religious center since the 2nd century CE under the Kushans. It stayed so until the Islamic conquests of 770 CE. Later, it came under Turkic Ghaznavid rule in 977 CE.
The main bodies of the statues were hewn directly from sandstone cliffs. Details were modeled using mud mixed with straw. This mixture was coated with stucco to enhance expressions. The coating has mostly worn away over time. The larger statue was painted carmine red while the smaller one featured multiple colors. Lower parts of the arms used the same mud-straw mix supported by wooden armatures. Experts believe upper face parts consisted of huge wooden masks. The sculptures represented an evolution of Greco-Buddhist art at Gandhara. The Eastern Buddha is named Shah Mama meaning Queen Mother though its gender remains uncertain. The Western Buddha bears the name Salsal which translates to light shining through the universe. Murals on the ceiling above the Eastern Buddha depict a solar deity riding a golden chariot pulled by four horses. Winged attendants stand beside the chariot wearing Corinthian helmets. These paintings show influences from the Sasanian Empire and Byzantine Empire alongside Tokhara Yabghus. Scientists found pigments like vermilion and lead white mixed with natural resins and oils derived from walnuts or poppies. Some murals date between the 5th and 9th centuries CE based on radioactive isotopes in straw fibers.
Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang visited the site on the 30th of April 630. He described Bamyan as a flourishing center with more than ten monasteries housing over a thousand monks. His account notes both figures were decorated with gold and fine jewels. Intriguingly, he mentions a third reclining statue that no longer exists today. Historic documentation refers to annual celebrations attracting numerous pilgrims who made offerings to the statues. The site was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with surrounding cultural landscapes. Murals disappeared with destructions of 2001 but some fragments remain visible. Researchers discovered wall paintings in 12 caves after the Buddhas fell. An international team stated these works were painted between the 5th and 9th centuries. Scientists identified drying oils used in murals showing Buddhas sitting cross-legged amid palm leaves. These may be the oldest known surviving examples of oil painting predating European techniques by six centuries. The central image frames kings mingling with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. One figure likely represents the King of Bamyan wearing a crenulated crown with single crescent motifs.
On the 26th of February 2001, Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar issued an order to destroy all statues in Afghanistan. He declared this so no one could worship or respect them in the future. Work began on the 3rd of March 2001 and continued for several weeks. British newspaper The Times quoted Omar stating Muslims should be proud of smashing idols. Afghan Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel claimed the act followed Islamic law purely as a religious issue. Later statements suggested financial disputes influenced the decision when foreign donors refused to fund children's food instead of statue repairs. Anti-aircraft guns fired at the statues for days causing severe damage but not obliteration. Taliban Information Minister Qudratullah Jamal noted the difficulty of knocking down cliff-carved figures. They placed anti-tank mines at niche bottoms to ensure fragments triggered additional destruction. Men lowered down cliffs placed explosives into holes drilled in heads. A rocket launched after one explosion failed to remove a face left a hole in remaining stone. Local civilians were forced to help destroy the statues according to Voice of America interviews. Pakistani and Arab engineers allegedly participated in the operation. Mullah Omar later explained he was waging war on stones.
UNESCO Director-General Kōichirō Matsuura called the destruction a crime against culture. A meeting of ambassadors from 54 member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference joined protests to spare monuments. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates condemned actions as savage despite recognizing the Taliban government. India offered transferring artifacts safely to New Delhi though Taliban rejected overtures. Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf sent interior minister Moinuddin Haider to Kabul arguing un-Islamic nature. UNESCO sent 36 letters objecting to proposed destruction. Chinese, Japanese, and Sri Lankan delegates advocated strongly for preservation. The exiled Dalai Lama expressed deep concern. Former Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah denounced declaration as against national interests. Zemaryalai Tarzi labeled it an unacceptable decision. Michael Falser described attacks as targeting globalizing concept of cultural heritage. Ahmed Shah Massoud also condemned destruction. Swiss filmmaker Christian Frei released documentary The Giant Buddhas in March 2006 covering controversy. Testimony validated Osama bin Laden ordered destruction while initially opposing figures opposed it locally.
Though figures destroyed their outlines remain recognizable within recesses. Visitors can explore monks' caves connecting passages since 2002. Japan committed rebuilding perhaps by anastylosis alongside Afghanistan Institute in Bubendorf Switzerland and ETH Zurich. Local residents favored restoring structures. Hamid Karzai called destruction a national tragedy pledging reconstruction as cultural imperative. In September 2005, Mawlawi Mohammed Islam Mohammadi elected to Parliament blamed Al-Qaeda influence on decision. He was assassinated in Kabul January 2007. International funding supported recovery efforts stabilizing site fragments documented carefully. ICOMOS constructed scaffolding within niche 2009 furthering conservation. A $1.3 million UNESCO project sorted clay chunks ranging from tons to tennis ball size sheltered them elements. Foot section rebuilt 2013 using iron rods bricks concrete halted by UNESCO due lack approval. Work contrary policy requiring original material for reconstructions. Researcher Erwin Emmerling announced possibility restoring smaller statue using organic silicon compound. Paris conference issued 39 recommendations including leaving larger Western niche empty monumentally. Feasibility study into Eastern Buddha rebuilding continues. Project trains local people stone carvers encouraging tourism area organized jointly UNESCO International Council Monuments Sites.
On the 7th of June 2015 Chinese adventurist couple Zhang Xinyu and Liang Hong filled cavities with 3D laser light projection technology. Projector worth approximately $120,000 donated by pair saddened destruction. About 150 locals attended unveiling holographic statues. In 2001 China initiated carving high Buddha Sichuan funded businessman Liang Simian though abandoned later. Sri Lanka created full-scale replica Tsunami Honganji Viharaya at Pareliya dedicated tsunami victims Mahinda Rajapaksha. Japan's Hongan-ji Temple Kyoto funded inauguration 2006. Poland's Arkady Fiedler Museum hosts replica Bamiyan Buddha. Sarnath India inaugurated stone Buddha 2011 inside Thai Buddhist Vihara. Music video pop singer Aryana Sayeed song Yaar-e Bamyani shot ruins 2015. Empress Michiko visited Buddhas June 1971 composing waka poem return to Japan. Novel An Afghan Winter provides fictional backdrop destruction impact global community. Call of Duty Black Ops II features Buddhas opening campaign mission Old Wounds set 1986 Soviet-Afghan War. Film Ram Setu shows destruction archaeological team discovering fictional treasure Raja Dahir colossal reclining Buddha described writings Xuanzang but undiscovered.
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Common questions
When were the Bamiyan Buddhas built and what is their historical context?
The smaller Eastern Buddha was built around 570 CE and the larger Western Buddha dates to approximately 618 CE. These statues were commissioned by the Hephthalite Principalities of Tokharistan and northern Afghanistan during the era when the Hephthalites ruled the region.
What materials and techniques were used to construct the Bamiyan Buddhas before 2001?
The main bodies of the statues were hewn directly from sandstone cliffs while details were modeled using mud mixed with straw coated with stucco. Lower parts of the arms utilized a mud-straw mix supported by wooden armatures and experts believe upper face parts consisted of huge wooden masks.
Who visited the Bamiyan Valley in 630 and what did they observe about the site?
Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang visited the site on the 30th of April 630 and described Bamyan as a flourishing center with more than ten monasteries housing over a thousand monks. His account notes both figures were decorated with gold and fine jewels and mentions a third reclining statue that no longer exists today.
When did the Taliban destroy the Bamiyan Buddhas and how was the operation carried out?
Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar issued an order to destroy all statues in Afghanistan on the 26th of February 2001 and work began on the 3rd of March 2001. Anti-aircraft guns fired at the statues for days causing severe damage while men lowered down cliffs placed explosives into holes drilled in heads and anti-tank mines were placed at niche bottoms.
What international responses occurred after the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001?
UNESCO Director-General Kōichirō Matsuura called the destruction a crime against culture and sent 36 letters objecting to proposed destruction. A meeting of ambassadors from 54 member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference joined protests to spare monuments while Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates condemned actions as savage despite recognizing the Taliban government.