The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two monumental 6th–7th century Buddhist statues carved into the cliffs of Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Valley, representing an evolution of Greco-Buddhist art. Known as “Salsal” and “Shah Mama,” the statues stood at 55 and 38 meters tall and were crafted as large reliefs, with features modeled in stucco over carved sandstone. Once vibrantly painted, they served as spiritual and artistic landmarks along the Silk Road and were part of a thriving Buddhist center dating back to the 2nd century CE under the Kushan Empire. Despite surviving centuries of invasions and attempts at destruction, including one by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the Buddhas remained largely intact for over a millennium.

This changed in March 2001 when the Taliban, under Mullah Muhammad Omar, destroyed both statues, declaring them idols incompatible with their interpretation of Islam. The act sparked widespread international condemnation and marked a tragic loss of cultural heritage. Surrounding the Buddhas were richly decorated caves and murals from the 6th to 8th centuries, showcasing a blend of Indian Gupta, Sasanian, Byzantine, and Tokharian artistic influences. Though the statues themselves are gone, their memory endures as symbols of Afghanistan’s rich, diverse past and the devastating impact of cultural intolerance.