The Giant Buddha of Bamiyan was a pair of monumental statues carved into the cliffs of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan. Standing at 55 and 38 meters tall, these statues represented the Buddha and were created during the 6th century. They were significant examples of Buddhist art and culture, attracting pilgrims and tourists for centuries. In March 2001, the Taliban destroyed the statues, claiming they were idolatrous. This act drew international condemnation and highlighted the ongoing conflict between cultural heritage and extremist ideologies. Today, the site remains a symbol of the loss of cultural history and the importance of preserving such artifacts.