Introduction to Jahanabad Buddha
The reddish boulder rising on the slope to the southwest of Jahanabad, also known as Shakhorai village, located 5 km northeast of Manglawar town, has a large, seated Budaha carved into its high rock face. When traveling to Malam Jabba in Swat, this enormous figure of the Buddha may be seen from the road on the right-hand side.
In 1926, Sir Aurel Stein came in Jahanabad. Roads were nonexistent. To visit a massive Buddha carved onto a cliff that dominated the path leading to the valley, he had to ride his horse through the Swat River.
Description of Jahanabad Buddha
The most stunning sculpture in the entire Gandhara region is unquestionably the one of the seated Buddha. The 7-meter-tall statue of the Buddha is depicted sitting in a meditative position on a lofty throne. Over his head, Lord Buddha’s curls resembling a snail shell have been meticulously drawn. The prominent topknot (ushnisha) has lengthy ear lobes, and the eyes are only open to tiny slits. The robe’s folds are stringy and intentionally altered to have high and low ridges.
Even if the figure displays its Gandhara-style drapery with wrinkles and hair, the torso opts for a somewhat melancholy, firm shape. The depiction of the robe folds is accurate to the regional standard form used for other Buddha statues.
Comparison with Other Buddha Statues
It is believed that Padmasambhava, the creator of tantric yoga and a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism, was born in the valley soon after the construction of this statue. Some academics claim that the West had a significant influence, although any similarities, if any, are not readily apparent. Because of this, the Buddha figure cut into the rock in Jehanabad is dated to the 7th or 8th century CE, corresponding to the Central Asian Tang Dynasty. Numerous more Swat rock sculptures of comparable quality date to the following decades.
The Buddha statue at Jahanabad, Afghanistan, is the second-largest after the one in Bam-iyan. The anthropomorphic depictions of the Buddha were created by local Buddhist devotees using their stone-cutting and carving talents in later Buddhist art, which later became a significant center for education. In other, more regrettable ways, this association with Bamiyan would be sadly accurate.
Conclusion
Swat had years of militant upheavals, peaked between 2007 and 2009, and caused over 2 million people to flee the area. Around that time, in 2007, militants demolished the Jahanabad Buddha by piercing bombs into its face and shoulders in broad daylight. The Italian Archeological Mission in Pakistan started the repair effort in 2012. It is still in good shape because of its elevated location over the small stone terrace. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act of 2016 further protects it.
FAQs
Q1.When and where was the Jahanabad Buddha located?
Ans. The Jahanabad Buddha was located in Jahanabad, also known as Shakhorai village, in Swat, Pakistan, 5 km northeast of Manglawar town.
Q2. Who was Sir Aurel Stein, and what was his connection to the Buddha statue?
Ans. Sir Aurel Stein was an eminent explorer who visited Jahanabad in 1926 and documented the statue. He had to ride his horse through the Swat River to reach the Buddha, contributing to its historical record.
Q3. Describe the physical characteristics of the seated Buddha.
Ans. The seated Buddha is a 7-meter-tall statue depicted meditatively on a high throne. It features distinctive snail-shell curls, a topknot (ushnisha), lengthy earlobes, and eyes only open to tiny slits. The robe’s folds are intricately detailed with high and low ridges, adhering to the regional Gandhara-style drapery.
Q4. What is the historical context of the Jahanabad Buddha’s creation?
Ans. The Jahanabad Buddha is believed to date back to the 7th or 8th century CE, corresponding to the Central Asian Tang Dynasty. It is part of the Gandhara region’s rich Buddhist heritage and showcases the regional standard form used for other Buddha statues.
Q5. How is Padmasambhava linked to this statue, and what are the academic debates surrounding it?
Ans. It is believed that Padmasambhava, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism, was born in the valley soon after the statue’s construction. Some academics debate the potential influence of the West on the statue’s design, though any similarities are not immediately apparent, leading to discussions about its origins and influences.
Q6. How does the Jahanabad Buddha compare to other Buddha statues in size and importance?
Ans. The Jahanabad Buddha is the second-largest anthropomorphic Buddha statue after the one in Bam-iyan. Local Buddhist devotees created it and holds significant educational and cultural importance in the region’s history.
Q7. What challenges did the statue face in recent history, and how has it been preserved?
Ans. Swat experienced militant upheavals between 2007 and 2009, during which militants bombed the Jahanabad Buddha. In 2012, the Italian Archeological Mission initiated restoration efforts, and the statue remains in good condition, thanks to its elevated location and legal protection under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act of 2016.
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