Takht-i-Bahi

'throne of the water spring'), is an Indo-Parthian archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist monastery in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

[4] Another etymology suggests that the name Takht-i-Bahi was possibly given to this monastery complex after the Muslims settled in the region.

[6] It is located around 150 metres (500 ft) atop the small hill and around 2 km (1.2 mi) from the village bazar.

[6] The second construction period, which included the creation of the Stupa Court and assembly hall, occurred during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.

The Hun Toramana and then his son Mihirakula slaughtered the inhabitants of the Gandhara region and destroyed most, if not all, Buddhist monasteries.

[3] A famous stair-riser from Takht-i-Bahi, now in the British Museum, shows devotees in Hellenistic costume.

[9] The villages of Thordher (Old name Said Ghani Kalae), Ghafe, Lund Khwar, Sher Garh, Saroo Shah, Sehri-Bahlol, Pathai, Mazdoorabad, Fazl-e-abad, Gangai, Hathian, Jalala, Pirsaddi, Takkar and Mashal Khan Kalai are other historical places in the vicinity of Takht-i-Bahi.

Local people claim that it is a Hindko word meaning "Sir Bahlol," a prominent political and religious leader of the area.

Location of Takht-i-Bahi, at the center of the Gandhara area.
Aerial view of the ruins of the monastery