Remembering Buddhas of Bamiyan
The two non-human victims of the Taliban, Salsall & Shahmama
On this day (March 11), we remember the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the two monumental statues that stood tall and proud for centuries in the Bamiyan valley of central Afghanistan. These statues were a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan and the country’s history as a hub of Buddhist thought and art. Tragically, the Buddhas were destroyed in 2001, a senseless act of violence that forever changed the landscape and identity of the region.
The larger of the two Buddhas stood at an impressive height of 55 meters, while the smaller was still a towering 38 meters. Carved into the sandstone cliffs of the Bamiyan valley, these statues were a marvel of engineering and artistry. They were constructed in the 6th century AD, during the time of the Kushan Empire, which controlled large parts of what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. It is believed that the statues were a tribute to the Buddha, who was revered as a spiritual leader by many in the region.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan were more than works of art; they were symbols of Afghanistan’s past, present, and future. They were a reminder of the country’s rich cultural heritage and history as a crossroads of different cultures and religions.
