History of Bamiyan

Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant is named after a landmark in the Bamiyan province of northern Afghanistan, a place rich in afghan culture and history.

Until their recent destruction, a popular destinations in Afghanistan was at Bamiyan, where two giant standing Buddhas were carved into limestone cliffs at the edge of a small town. At 170 feet tall, the taller of the two was the largest standing Buddha in the world.

Almost all Afghans today are Muslims, but from the first to the sixth century A.D., the country was populated by Buddhists. The statues at Bamiyan were carved by the Kushans, some time between the second and fourth centuries A.D. The site was a major shrine, attracting Buddhist pilgrims worldwide. Hsuen Tsang, a Chinese poet, traveled in the area and he spoke highly of the devout people who lived there. He said that when he saw the Buddhas, their beauty dazzled his eyes.

In the thirteenth century, the Buddhas suffered damage at the hands of the Mongols. Up until the early 1970s, the Afghan government was making major efforts to restore them. This project was neglected during many years of war, and in 2001 the statues were demolished by the Taliban.

We hope you enjoy dining at our restaurant.

• View images of Bamiyan here and here by photographer Luke Powell.
• View images of Bamiyan interior and more images here, from Dr. Volker Thewalt.
• Some facts about Afghanistan, from the Asia Society.