Tapa Khazana monastery, (in) Kabul, Velayat-e Kabol, AF

Raw data

"In Kabul itself, a Buddhist monastery and stupa were found in 1930 on a spur of the Kuh-i Shir Darwaza (the mountain which borders Kabul to the south)." Vogelsang (202:154) http://books.google.com.au/books?id=9kfJ6MlMsJQC

"Kuh-e-Sher Darwaza (Mountain of the Lion's Gate)" - afghanistan.travel-culture.com/3days_kabul_tour.shtml Kuh-e- Sherdarwaza - http://afghanistanonmymind.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/photos-of-bala-hissar-in-1879.html

"An example of historical architecture influenced by the Buddhist style in eastern Kabul is a site that was excavated in 1933 and which dates back to the 2nd century AD […] Tapa Khazana is located at the foot of the Shair Darwaza mountain, near the Hazara-ha-e Chandawal [Chindawool - tmciolek] neighborhood and to the East of Ebin Sina Hospital [Abne Cina Hospital]. […] In 1933, the site attracted archaeologists for the first time. After studying the area […] an excavation was conducted. It was determined that Tapa Khazana was in fact a Buddhist astopa [stupa - tmc], constructed in the mid 3rd century AD. After the decline of the Buddhist faith in the region, it was converted to a fire temple by the Zoroastrians.
The majority of the artifacts from this astopa [stupa - tmc] consisted of small, clay heads skillfully crafted. Late in 1933, the heart of Tapa Khazana was opened. This time, more finely crafted, priceless statues were unearthed. It was obvious why the hill was named "Tapa Khazana" — Treasure Hill.
[…] In 914 (Lunar, Islamic), Babar ordered the construction of small gardens [=Takht-e Shah, "The Throne of the King." - tmciolek] below the ruins of Tapa Khazana and near the Ebin Sina Hospital." Kohzad (1997).

Note: Takht-e Shah gardens are not to be confused with the Koh-e Takht-e Shah (Kabul) site
at Lat 34.4869 Long: 69.1767 http://www.getamap.net/maps/afghanistan/kabol/_takhtesah_kohe/

Input by: tmciolek, Mar 31, 2012

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 31 Mar 2012

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Tapa Khazana monastery, AF.

General location of the Tapa Khazana monastery, AF.
Lat 34.508 Long 69.175
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2012.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.508+69.175+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Tapa%20Khazana%20monastery,%20AF)&ll=34.508,69.175&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en

Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

  • Tapa Khazana monastery - Kohzad (1997).

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • Afghanistan:Velayat-e Kabol

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names

4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

  • Approx. Lat 34.508 Long 69.175 - based on the visual identification of the place situated E of the Ebin Sina Hospital [Abne Cina Hospital] and close to the Chandawal [Chindawool] neighborhood, using maps and satellite imagery maps.google.com - tmciolek, 31 Mar 2012.

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries

  • [missing data]

6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village

7. The settlement's alternative/historical names

8. The settlement's coordinates

9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition

  • [missing data]

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

  • [missing data]

11. Date-early

  • mid 3rd century AD. After the decline of the Buddhist faith in the region, it was converted to a fire temple by the Zoroastrians. Kohzad (1997)

12. Date-intermediate

  • [missing data]

13. Date-late

  • […] In 914 (Lunar, Islamic) [= 1505-6 AD tmciolek], Babar ordered the construction of small gardens [=Takht-e Shah, "The Throne of the King." - tmciolek] below the ruins of Tapa Khazana." Kohzad (1997)

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • [missing data]

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • [missing data]

16. Additional notes

  • [missing data] (incl. details of the size of the monastic population)

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

  • [missing data]

end of page

Page tags: 200m afghanistan central-asia place south-asia stupa t tradition(?) untimed
page revision: 18, last edited: 25 Apr 2013 10:57
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