Gardens of Babur
In 1504, Babur took over Kabul from the Arghun dynasty and re-developed a site that would become Bagh-e Babur. He used it as a guest house for special occasions, especially during summer seasons. The garden was thought to be developed around this time when Babur gave orders for an avenue garden in Kabul. His memoirs, the Baburnama, describe the space in some detail. Tradition among Mughal princes involved developing sites for recreation during their lifetime before choosing one as a last resting place. Jahangir made a pilgrimage to the site in 1607. He ordered all gardens in Kabul surrounded by walls. A prayer platform was laid in front of Babur's grave. An inscribed headstone was placed at its head. During Shah Jahan's visit in 1638, a marble screen was erected around the tomb of Babur. A mosque was built on the terrace below. Accounts from 1638 mention a stone water channel running between an avenue of trees from the terrace below the mosque. Pools existed at certain intervals along this channel.
The original construction year of Bagh-e Babur remains unknown. Relics found at the site date back to the 3rd century BC. Caravans once came from different parts carrying trade loads and exchanged goods here. Charles Masson, a British soldier, produced the only hint of the design in an 1832 sketch. This description was published in 1842, the same year the tomb was destroyed by an earthquake. The tomb showed fine workmanship in stone carving with high walls and lavish jali-work. Relief decoration covered the surfaces. Many monuments of similar nature commemorated his relatives. They were surrounded by an enclosure of white marble curiously and elegantly carved. No person superintended them, and great liberty had been taken with the stones employed in the enclosing walls. By 1880, Amir Abdur Rahman Khan constructed a pavilion and a residence for his wife, Bibi Halima. In 1933, the space converted into a public recreation space. Pools and fountains became the central focal point. A modern greenhouse and swimming pool were added in the late 1970s. The enclosure of Babur's tomb is no longer present.
The gardens suffered heavy damage during the Afghan Civil War between 1992 and 1996. A detailed survey of the perimeter walls began after this period. Parts of these walls are thought to date from the late 19th century. They are built of a mix of traditional hand-laid earth and sun-dried bricks on stone foundations. These techniques remain widely used in rural construction in Afghanistan. Damaged sections of the walls were repaired or rebuilt between 2002 and 2004. Nearly 100,000 work days were generated for skilled and unskilled labour during this phase. Since the 16th of January 2008, the garden has been managed by the independent Bagh-e Babur Trust. Support comes from Kabul Municipality, the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Significant investments have been made in the natural environment of the garden. A system of partially piped irrigation was installed. Several thousand indigenous trees were planted including planes, cypresses, hawthorn, wild cherry, and other fruit and shade trees. Based on archaeological excavations, relationships between the 13 terraces and the network of paths and stairs have been re-established.
Babur ruled from 1494 until his death in 1530. He founded the Mughal Empire and is buried within the complex. His older sister Khanzada Begum lived from 1478 to 1545. She was the wife of Shaybani Khan and a prominent woman in the establishment of the Mughal Empire. Fakhr-un-Nissa died in 1501 as the first born daughter of Babur who passed away in infancy. Hindal Mirza lived from 1519 to 1551 and was the youngest son of Babur. His only child Ruqaiya Sultan Begum lived from 1542 to 1626 and is buried next to him. Gulbadan Begum lived from 1523 to 1602 and wrote the Humayun-Nama. Mirza Muhammad Hakim lived from 1553 to 1585 and was Humayun's son and Babur's grandson. Shah Abul Maali lived from 1550 to 1564 and was Humayun's son-in-law from the family of Sayyids of Termez.
Visitors number up to one million locals and foreign tourists each year at Bagh-e Babur. Nearly 300,000 people visited the site in 2008 alone. About 1,030,000 people visited the site in 2016. Zahra Breshna, an architect with the Department for Preservation & Rehabilitation of Afghanistan's Urban Heritage, argued that emphasis should be on developing partially forgotten local and traditional aspects. She placed them within a contemporary global context. The goal involves preserving tradition without hindering modern social, ecological, or economic development. Planners discuss the importance of reviving cultural identity in Kabul's development. Abdul Wasay Najimi writes that restoration of confidence, pride, and hope would be the main outcome in reintegrating historic quarters into mainstream rehabilitation. This has a direct impact on the revival of identity. The reconstruction of Babur's garden brings unity fixed around the ruler responsible for Kabul's importance. Restoring historic quarters restores the pride of citizens in the city. The gardens have seen significant increases in visitor numbers and revenue since management changes began.
Common questions
When did Babur take over Kabul and develop the site that became Bagh-e Babur?
Babur took over Kabul from the Arghun dynasty in 1504 and re-developed a site that would become Bagh-e Babur. He used it as a guest house for special occasions, especially during summer seasons.
Who is buried within the complex of Gardens of Babur and what are their family connections?
Babur ruled from 1494 until his death in 1530 and founded the Mughal Empire while being buried within the complex. His only child Ruqaiya Sultan Begum lived from 1542 to 1626 and is buried next to him alongside other relatives like his sister Khanzada Begum who lived from 1478 to 1545.
What happened to the tomb of Babur during the earthquake in 1842?
The tomb was destroyed by an earthquake in 1842 after Charles Masson published a description of its fine workmanship in stone carving with high walls and lavish jali-work. The enclosure of white marble curiously and elegantly carved surrounding many monuments commemorating his relatives suffered great liberty taken with the stones employed in the enclosing walls.
When did management of Gardens of Babur change to the independent Bagh-e Babur Trust?
Since the 16th of January 2008, the garden has been managed by the independent Bagh-e Babur Trust. Support comes from Kabul Municipality, the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
How many visitors attended Gardens of Babur in 2016 compared to previous years?
About 1,030,000 people visited the site in 2016 while nearly 300,000 people visited the site in 2008 alone. Visitors number up to one million locals and foreign tourists each year at Bagh-e Babur since management changes began.