Buddha of Bamiyan Statues Destroyed During Conflict

The Buddhas of Bamiyan were an instrumental piece of Buddhist culture in Afghanistan. These gigantic statues were carved by hand into the mountains in the 6th century and held a cultural, as well as economical importance. Their strategic location connected the markets of China with those of the Western world.

The statues were referred to by locals as “the light shines through the universe” and the female Shamama “Queen Mother” and had an international status as cultural monuments. In the year 2001, these awe-inspiring works of art were destroyed by the Taliban, unfortunately. The destruction took several weeks, and the loss of these statues is a shame for all of humanity.