welcome to takht bhai
General Court, the French officer of Maharaja Ranjit Sing in 1836, first mentioned the monastery of Takht-i-Bhai. Lieutenants Lumsden and stokes in some measure explored it in 1852. Dr. H.W bellow, Assistant Surgeon, Corps of Guides, Mardan, had examined it in 1864. General Mac lagan sent Sappers to it and a large number of sculptures were recovered in 1869-70. Dr. Leitner procured some sculptures through men of Guides in 1870. Sergeant Wilcher excavated it with a company of Sappers and Miners in 1871. Lieutenant Crompton of the Royal Engineers directed explorations by Sappers in about 1872. Major General Sir Alexander Cunningham re-visited it in 1873.
Dr. D.B. Spooner, Curator, Peshawar Museum, was the first to excavate it systematically in January 1907 in accordance with the recommendations made by Sir John Marshall, Director General, and Archaeological Survey of India. He again continued the work in 1908-11. Later Mr. Hargreaves, Curator, Peshawar Museum excavated the site in 19 10-11. He resumed the conservation of the site was also done from 1907 to 1929. Necessary repairs were also carried out at several places. Takht-I-Bahi literally means “Well on the Flat Surface of Hill”. The runs of two well located close to each other, are still existing on the crest of hill and therefore
The Buddhist sanctuary and the near by village well named after these wells. In local language, Takht means, “Top” and Bhai means “Water”. Some people says that Bhai means spring which they say present on the left side of the Monastery. The spring is still in its original form and the people are getting water from it. The remains are the most astounding, exciting and imposing relics of Buddhism in Pakistan. Dating back from second B.C to 5 th century A.D and scattered over 32.9 hectares. The remains concise of the main Stupa votive Stupa court of lofty Chapels, Monastic quadrangle, Meditation cells covered passages many other secular Buildings, all are stone built laid in lime and mud mortar in diaper style monastery. a large number of stone and stucco sculpture have been un eartherned during excavation which are now on display in Peshawar and Mardan Museum. The Sculptures depict the life of the Buddha before his birth and different events of his life and reveals the evolutionally and development stages of Gandhara Art. Due to its religious significance and remarkable Architectural features, the site has placed on the “World heritage list by UNESCO.
The most Beautiful Buddhist monastery of Gandhara (Peshawar Valley) is situated at Takht-I-Bahi. The UNESCO has listed this Buddhist monastery as the monuments of the world heritage. The name of the town is written as Takht-I-Bahi in English and in Urdu but the Pukh-toons always pronounce as it as Takht Bahi.
It is located about 14km northwest of Mardan, fro the main road to Swat, on top of a huge hill. The hill is two km to east fro Takht-I-Bahi Bazaar.
The actual location of Takht-I-Bahi Monastery is on back of the hill, which can be seen from main road.
Hit has covered an area of 650 canals it is an impressive monument almost a complex monastically. A full view of the complex can be obtained from the top of the mountain (hill). It appear beautiful during spring but dull in summer and autumn because of less lushness than spring what ever be the case with seasons has got its own look. Which is unique and mysterious?
