View of the Fondukistan monastery on top of a conical mountain next to the
Ghorband Valley, taken by French archaeologists
Joseph Hackin (1886–1941) and Jean Carl (? - 1941), during their excavation campaign from 1933 to 1940.[1][a]
The Fondukistan monastery was a
Buddhist monastery located at the very top of a conical hill[2] next to the
Ghorband Valley,
Parwan Province, about 50 kilometers northwest of
Kabul. The monastery dates to the early 8th century CE, with a terminus post quem in 689 CE obtained through numismatic evidence, so that the Buddhist art of the site has been estimated to around 700 CE.[3][4] This is the only secure date for this artistic period in the Hindu Kush, and it serves as an important chronological reference point.[4]
Characteristics
According to Benjamin Rowland "These little shrines, densely packed with sculptured figures set off by gaily painted backgrounds, must have given the effect of a kind of religious peep-show, in which, as on a stage, the visitor obtained a glimpse of celestial realms".[5][6]
The works of art of the Fondukistan Monastery corresponds to a relatively high level of artistic activity in the areas controlled by the Buddhist
Turk Shahis during 7-8th centuries CE, as a result of the continued development of
Buddhist art, with possible
Hephthalite influence, combined with the
Sasanian cultural heritage.[7][6] The art of Fondukistan also corresponds to the last stages of
Greco-Buddhist art in the 7-8th century CE.
During this period, the Chinese
Tang Empire extended its influence and promotion of Buddhism to the Kingdoms of
Central Asia, including Afghanistan, with a corresponding influx of Chinese monks, while there was conversely a migration of Indian monks from India to Central Asia, precisely looking for this protection.[8] These events gave rise to the hybrid Indian-Sinicized styles of Fondukistan and
Tapa Sardar.[8] Similarities have also been noted with contemporary works of art in China, such as those of
Tianlongshan.[9]
Discovery
Charles Masson visited the area of the
Ghorband Valley in 1836 and mentioned the presence of numerous ruins in his book Narratives of various journeys in Afghanistan, Baluchistan & the Punjab.[10][11]
The monastery was excavated in 1936 by
Joseph Hackin of the Délégation archéologique française en Afghanistan, and in 1937 by Jean Carl, from the same organization.[6][12] Most of the works of art that were recovered were shared between the
Musée Guimet,
Paris, and the
National Museum of Afghanistan, where many did not survive the depredations of the recent decades.
Various figures from the monastery show Central Asian influence, with dignitaries wearing double-lapel
caftan, boots, armour and crown with lunar crescents.[16]
Dedications including coins of the Buddhist
Turk Shahis (7-8th century CE) have been found under a statue of a royal couple in the monastery of Fondukistan, providing important insights in terms of datation.[17][18] The coins were found in a cremation urn buried under the statues of the royal couple: the urn contained one Sasanian coin of the type of
Khusrow II (r.590-628 CE) with Arabic "Bismillahi" legend and local countermarks, indicating a final strike date of 686 CE, thus suggesting a date soon after 686 CE for the construction of the site; another gold
bracteate with the portrait of a ruler; and three early copper coins of the
Turk Shahis (
Göbl Type 236) with the
Bactrian script legend "
Srio Shaho" ().[19][20]
The royal couple consists of a princess in "Indian" dress, and a prince "wearing a rich
caftan with double lapel and boots" characteristic of Central Asian clothing.[21][22]
Royal couple. The King wears a Central Asian
caftan with double
lapel, as well as boots, while the Queen is of Indian type.[23] circa 700 CE.[24][25]
Coin of
Turk Shahi ruler
Barha Tegin, in the style of the former
Nezak Huns, of the type found in the urn of the Fondukistan monastery (Göbl Type 236). On the obverse, new legend in the
Bactrian script: "Srio Shaho" ("Lord King") . Late 7th century CE.[26]
A portrait of the first Turk Shahi ruler
Barha Tegin, around the time the Fondukistan Monastery was established.
Notes
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fondukistan.
^For modern views of the monastery see
[1] and
[2]
^"Stylistic similarities between the images of
Fonduqistan and late Tapa Sardar and the early 8th-century Tang production of
Tianlongshan have been noted, and the existence of a 'common international style' inclusive of Tang
China and the regions to the west and south of the Pamir has been suggested" in Verardi, Giovanni; Paparatti, Elio (2005).
"From Early to Late Tapa Sardār: A Tentative Chronology". East and West. 55 (1/4): 433.
ISSN0012-8376.
JSTOR29757657.
Alram, Michael (2014). "From the Sasanians to the Huns New Numismatic Evidence from the Hindu Kush". The Numismatic Chronicle. 174: 261–291.
JSTOR44710198. (
registration required)
J. Hackin, "Le monastère bouddhique de Fondukistan (fouilles de J. Carl, 1937)," MDAFA 8, 1959, pp. 49–58.
J. Hackin, "The Buddhist Monastery of Fondukistan," Afghanistan (Kabul) 5/2, 1950, pp. 19–35.