The Buddha Statues of Bamyan were two monumental statues carved into the cliffs of the Bamyan Valley in Afghanistan. Created in the 6th century, the larger statue stood at 55 meters tall, while the smaller one was 38 meters. These statues represented the Mahayana form of Buddhism and were significant cultural and religious symbols. In March 2001, the statues were destroyed by the Taliban regime, which deemed them idolatrous. The destruction sparked international outrage and highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Efforts to restore and protect the site continue, emphasizing the statues' historical significance.