The monastic complex of Takht-i-Bahi and the neighboring ruins at Sahr-i-Bahlol are two distinct relics of Buddhism in the Gandhara region making up one of the six UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Pakistan. Both ruins are located in Mardan city about 5 km apart from each other and were founded in the 1st century. Takht-e-Bahi and Seri Behlol locate about 70km from Peshawar and 150km from Islamabad.

The term Takht-e-Bahi is made up of two Persian words referring to a monastic complex built atop a hill adjacent to a stream. Takht means “top” or “throne” while Bahi stands for “spring” or “water”. Takht-e-Bahi was unearthed in the 20th century and it was built in four different phases. The first phase (1st century BCE–2nd century CE) includes the construction of the stupa court and the monastery along with a kitchen and dining area; the second phase (3rd–4th century) was the construction of the main stupa court and assembly hall; the third phase (4th – 5th CE) was the construction of the court of three stupas; and the fourth phase (6th–7th CE) was the construction of low-level dark chambers (meditation cells) and open courtyard is attributed.

Studies suggest that its development began in the 1st century BCE during the reign of Parthian ruler Gondophares I (20–c. 10 BCE). It continued through the reigns of the Kushan emperor Kanishka I (127–51) and later Kushan kings Kanishka III (268), Vasudeva II (275–300), and then Kidara Kushan rulers before it was taken over by the white Huns from central Asia (408–670). It remained in use until the 7th century – for about 800 years.

The monastic complex was first identified from the travel records of the Chinese monk-pilgrim Xuanzang (602–64) who traveled in search of Buddhist texts through greater India. However, it was first mentioned in 1836 by a man called General Court, a French officer in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later, different archaeological surveys and series of excavations revealed different findings about sculptures that have already been moved to the museums in Lahore and Peshawar.

The Takht-e-Bahi Monastery, containing numerous stupas and chapels, spreads on three connecting spurs of Takht-e-Bahi hills ranging at a height of 36m to 142m covering an area of approximately 4km square. The main structure lies on the central spur overlooking the plains of Mardan which also include the site of Sehr-e-Bahlol.