Surkh Kotal

Site in Afghanistan with important monuments of the Kushans, who in the 1st century AD created an empire extending from Bactria to the upper Ganges. The famous Kushan ruler Kanishka (early 2nd century AD) built the hilltop fortress. The temple contained sculptures in clay and stone, including three statues of gods or kings. Among the inscriptions from the site is a long text in the Bactrian language using cursive Greek letters.

A site in Afghanistan, among the most important monuments of the Kushans, who in the 1st century ad created an empire extending from Bactria to the upper Ganges. The most famous Kushan ruler was Kanishka (early 2nd century), builder of the hilltop fortress at Surkh Kotal, in which the Kushans created a royal sanctuary. The focal point of the sanctuary is a fire-temple in a courtyard with porticos on three sides, occupying the summit of the hill. Below the fourth side is a series of terraces linked by flights of steps. Below the bottom terrace is a stone-lined well. The temple contained sculptures in clay and stone, including three statues of gods or kings. Among the inscriptions from the site is a long text in the Bactrian language, but using cursive Greek letters, giving the name of the a local official, Nokonzoko, and the date 31 of the Kanishkan era.