N 34º23.54 E 69º16.72 - AFGHANISTAN

According to early Buddhist texts, Buddha himself demonstrated to his followers how to build the first stupa by folding his cloak into a square as a base, then putting his alms bowl upside-down and on top of the cloak, with his staff on top of that to represent the spire.

Guldara’s remote position probably accounts for its remarkable preservation. In the 19th century it was ‘discovered’ by British explorer and archaeologist Charles Masson, a deserter from the East India Company’s army who travelled extensively across Afghanistan documenting the Buddhist archaeological sites. Guldara was his favourite, ‘perhaps the most complete and beautiful monument of the kind in these countries.

There are almost 50 major Buddhist sites close to Kabul. Jonah X Projects has already helped raise £250,000 for a local Afghan heritage organisation to survey and conserve some of them.

We are now looking for funding for the initial survey phase of Guldara. Our restoration work will include a detailed survey, documentation, stabilization of vulnerable parts, and protection of the site through improved drainage. The project provides skills development for Afghan professionals and employment for local communities while enhancing understanding of Afghanistan’s diverse cultural heritage.

Jonah X Projects visited Guldara in July 2024.