Takht Bahi is also named as Takht bai or Takht-i-Bahi is a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the 1st century BC. Takht means "throne" and bahi, "water" or "spring". The monastic complex was called Takht-i-Bahi because it was built atop a hill watered by a spring.
It is one of the most impressive Buddhist monastery in Pakistan which shows all the elements and evolutionary stages of a Buddhist monastery 
The site was listed as a world heritage site of Unesco in 1980 due to its historical significance and amazing architectural features.
Location
It is located about 15 kilometers from Mardan. The surrounding area is famous for sugar cane cultivation. Frontier sugar mills is a major sugar producing industry of the province, is located in the middle of the town.
The complex Takht Bahi is situated on a rocky spur some 300- 500 feet above the Peshawar plain. From its top one can look down across the plains as far as Peshawar on one side and the hills of Sawat on the other. 
Architectural division
Architecture of the site is built in different periods so the site is the best example to study the different evolutionary stages of Buddhist monatries.
Takht Bahi complex can be divided into following main areas
The "Stupa Court", a cluster of stupas located in a central courtyard but the most remarkable is the design and arrangement of the range of small shrines, around the main stupa.
The monastic chambers, consisting of individual cells arranged around a courtyard (The cells were reserved for monks to perform their religious duties), assembly halls, and a dining area.
A temple complex, consisting of stupas. The complex seems to be latter construction.
The Tantric monastic complex, which consists of small, dark cells with low openings, which may have been used for certain forms of Tantric meditation. These cells are the best architectural examples of mature Buddhist architecture.
Additional structures on the site may have served as residences or meeting halls, or filled secular purposes. We may also see kitchen grain storage hall except all these buildings.
Masonary
All of the buildings on the site are constructed from local stone, and are mortared with lime and mud.
Like many others Buddhists sites Takht Bahi is also on the height and is dated back to 1st century BC. Despite the many invasions on the area takht bahi seems to be much protected only because of its location.
History
The history of the complex is dated back to 1st Century BC. The monastery seems to be established and continued until the 2nd Century, and is associated with the kushan king Kanishka, as well as early Parthian and later Kushana king.
Whereas the construction of Stupa Court and assembly hall belongs to 3rd and 4th Centuries.
Some chnges seems to occur during 4th and 5th centuries, associated with the later Kushan dynasty and the Kidara Kushana rulers. The final construction period, with a major change in Buddhist monks, saw the creation of the Tantric complex, took place in the 6th and 7th Centuries , and was invaded by Hun rulers.
After many years of its existence the site still appeals the visitors due to its architecture and location. It is a wonderful experience to visit Takht-I-Bahi. A tour to Takht-I-Bahi is not only about history but also offers a wonderful opportunity to know and understand the culture of the region.if you visit mardaan you must visit Takht Bahi and if you don’t you will miss a lot.
