Historic site
Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription
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The Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription is a fragment of a larger edict issued by the Indian Mauryan emperor Ashoka, carved onto a smooth rock face near the old city of Kandahar. What makes it distinctive is its bilingual text in Greek and Aramaic, reflecting the cultural fusion of the Hellenistic and Persian worlds after Alexander the Great. Visitors can see the weathered but still legible script, a rare testament to Ashoka's propagation of Buddhist principles in the region. The site offers a tangible link to Afghanistan's ancient past as a crossroads of civilizations.
Don't miss
- Examine the Greek and Aramaic scripts side by side on the rock surface.
- Contemplate the historical significance of Ashoka's edicts in spreading non-violence.
- Photograph the inscription with the surrounding arid landscape as a backdrop.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inKandy Sigiriya Rock and Village Safari Day Trip5★ · 14 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$25 per personSee dates →
Best full dayRock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple Day Excursion from Kandy4.9★ · 17 travelers~6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$65 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleSigiriya Day Tour | Rock Fortress & Dambulla Cave Temple5★ · 16 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$44 per personSee dates →More attractions in Kandahar