Context

The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has recently said it would protect the ancient Buddha statues in Mes Aynak.

About

About Bamiyan Buddhas:

• The Bamiyan Buddhas were great examples of a confluence of Gupta, Sassanian and Hellenistic artistic styles.
• They are said to date back to the 5th century AD.
• They were once the tallest standing Buddhas in the world.
• They were called by the locals Salsal and Shamama.
• Salsal means “light shines through the universe”; Shamama is “Queen Mother”.
• UNESCO included the remains in its list of world heritage sites in 2003
• Efforts have been made to restore and reconstruct the Buddhas in their niches with the pieces available.
  

About Bamiyan:

• It is situated in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush in the central highlands of Afghanistan.
• The valley is set along the line of the Bamiyan River.
• It was once integral to the early days of the Silk Roads, providing passage for merchants, culture, religion and language.