Guldarra Stupa

Located near the village of Guldara in Kabul Province, Afghanistan, the Guldara stupa sits atop a high hill at the end of the Valley of Guldara [1]. The monument was established in the late 2nd century CE based on archaeological evidence: six gold coins of Kushan king Vima Kadphises (ruled c. 113-127 CE) and two gold coins of his son Huvishka (ruled c. 150-190 CE) were found within the structure [1]. The coins show minimal wear, with the Huvishka coins appearing in almost mint condition [1]. The stupa is a large, solid structure built from rough stone and mud [1]. This Kushan-era Buddhist monument provides important evidence for the spread of Buddhism into the region during the 2nd-3rd century CE [1].