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 The
country of Afghanistan, which holds Bamiyan ruins, is a multi-racial
nation located in west Asia. Its land which is equivalent to
1.7 times the size of Japan, commands attention as one of the important
routes connecting Central Asia, boasting of rich natural resources
all the way to the ocean. Its population of approximately 20 million is
mostly muslim, mainly belonging to Hanfui school or Sumi school,
while 20% of its population is Shia. The political battle for the
status of the ruling party has long repeated.
*The photos listed on this page were all taken by Hiro Yamagata
when he visited Bamiyan in August 2003 and in 2005. You can enlarge
the photos by clicking. |
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 Bamiyan
is a canyon with rich vegetation located 240m north west of
Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The Bamiyan ruins are well
known throughout the world as the group of Buddhist statues
created between 500 - 550A.D. when Afghanistan was the
junction of the Silk Road, as well as being a haven for
Eastern and Western Culture and the center of Buddhist education.
It is a very precious cultural heritage which holds many proofs
of rich cultural exchanges as the land is on the western edge
of Buddhist influence.
The Bamiyan Buddha statues were carved into the Hindu Kshu mountains
which cut across the center of Afghanistan. Over 720 caves were
carved on the 1500 m long cliffs from east to west, facing South.
The largest Buddha Statue, 55 m in height, as well as many seated
Buddhist statues and stone caves for ceremonies and training were
created while the insides of the stone caves were beautifully decorated
with murals and clay figures. |
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 Withstanding numerous
invasions, including raids by Ghengis Khan, Bamiyan remained
as a major tourist attraction in the country until Soviet
invasion in 1979. Since then Bamiyan has suffered from many battles
and the majority of the Bamiyan ruins were destroyed by a terrorist
attack in March 2001. In July 2003 it was designated as a world
heritage site by UNESCO.
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