Butkara Stupa

Butkara Stupa
بت کړہ سټوپا
Remains of the Butkara Stupa
Butkara Stupa is located in Pakistan
Butkara Stupa
Shown within Pakistan
Butkara Stupa is located in Gandhara
Butkara Stupa
Butkara Stupa (Gandhara)
LocationSwat
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan Pakistan
Coordinates34°45′26″N 72°21′44″E / 34.7571°N 72.3622°E / 34.7571; 72.3622
TypeBuddhist stupa
History
Founded2nd century BCE
PeriodsGandhara

The Butkara Stupa (Pashto: بت کړه سټوپا) is an important Buddhist stupa near Mingora, in the area of Swat, Pakistan. It may have been built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, but it is generally dated slightly later to the 2nd century BCE.

The stupa was enlarged on five occasions during the following centuries, every time by building over, and encapsulating, the previous structure.