Sphola Stupa

Name of Site: Sphola Stupa

Location: Landi Kotal

Date of Foundation: 1st to 3rd century AD

The Shpola stupa of Khyber Pass is one of the biggest Buddhist sepulchral mounds of Gandhara, situated on the main road, which connects Peshawar with Afghanistan. It was a well-preserved monument until the 19 th century of the Common Era; however, with the annexation of Khyber into the British Indian Empire, the stupa suffered from illicit diggings. The contractor of the road reutilized its building materials, while the antiques hunters dug out its dome in the hope of finding treasures.

 The exact date of construction is not known but the evidence has shown that it would have been constructed between 2nd and 3rd century AD. The stupa is circular in plan and rests on a podium. The early twentieth century photographs in the British Museum have shown numerous sculptures were carved on its facade. Some of them have been unearthed by the Department of Archaeology during restoration work. In term of form, it strongly resembles other Kushan period Stupa. The vertical facade is divided with be help of circular recess bands and dentilation. One of the horizontal segments contain square pilasters with base and capitals similar to one employed in Shingardar stupa in Barikot.