Shotorak monastery explained

Shotorak
Map Type:South Asia#Afghanistan#Bactria
Relief:yes
Coordinates:34.9307°N 69.433°W
Type:Monastery

Shotorak monastery, at Kuh-i Pahlawan, Kapisa Province, is an ancient monastery located in modern Afghanistan. It was positioned together with Paitava monastery around the city of Kapisa, 40 km north of Kabul, which was the northern capital of the Kushan Empire. Beautiful sculptures of Buddhist donors in Kushan dress are known from this site.[1]

Paitava, with Shorotak, have an artistic usage of representing the Buddha with fire emanating from the shoulders in the miracle of Sravasti, a feature also found on the effigies of Kushan kings on their coinage.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Behrendt . Kurt . Brancaccio . Pia . Gandharan Buddhism: Archaeology, Art, and Texts . 2011 . UBC Press . 9780774841283 . 11 . en.
  2. Book: Rosenfield . John M. . The dynastic arts of the Kushans . 1967 . University of California Press . 200 . en.