The Bimaran Stupa Inscription: A Golden Relic of Gandharan Buddhism

Discovery by Charles Masson (1834–1837 CE / 2377–2380 BE)

While excavating Stupa No. 2 at Bimaran, Afghanistan, British explorer Charles Masson uncovered:

1. A gold reliquary depicting the Buddha flanked by Brahma and Indra.

2. A steatite casket with two Kharoṣṭhī inscriptions.

3. Coins of Indo-Scythian king Azes II (r. ~35–12 BCE), dating the relics to ~50 BCE (500 BE).

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The Inscriptions: A Donor’s Devotion

1. Around the Casket:

"This religious gift of Śivarakṣita, son of Muñjavāda, is enshrined in honor of the Blessed One’s relics and for the worship of all Buddhas."

2. On the Lid:

"Relics of the Bhagavān [Buddha], donated by Śivarakṣita, son of Muñjavāda."

Key Details:

• Donor: Śivarakṣita, a layman from the Muñjavāda clan (possibly a merchant or official).

• Language: Hybrid Sanskrit-Prakrit in Kharoṣṭhī script—common in Gandharan Buddhism.

• Purpose: Merit-making for the donor’s family and all beings.

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Why This Matters

1. Earliest Buddha Image?

   • The gold reliquary’s anthropomorphic Buddha (rare before 1st c. CE) suggests Greco-Buddhist art began earlier than thought.

2. Indo-Scythian Context:

   • Azes II’s coins confirm the stupa’s 1st-century BCE date, bridging Scythian and Kushan Buddhist patronage.

3. Tragic Loss:

   • The Taliban destroyed Bimaran Stupa in the 1990s—making Masson’s finds (now in the British Museum) irreplaceable.

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Azes II & the "Forgotten" Buddhist Kings

The Indo-Scythians (Śakas), though nomadic invaders, embraced Buddhism—Azes II’s era saw:

• Construction of Bimaran and Butkara Stupas.

• Fusion of Greek, Persian, and Indian art styles.

Did You Know? The reliquary’s Buddha-Brahma-Indra triad mirrors Hindu iconography—showing early interfaith dialogue.

(Source: Buddhist Art of Gandhara, W. Zwalf, 1996)