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Gardens of Babur: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Gardens of Babur
In the year 1504, the conqueror Babur issued a command that would echo through five centuries of history, ordering the creation of an avenue garden in Kabul that would eventually become his eternal resting place. This was not merely a recreational space for a Mughal prince, but a deliberate choice of location for his burial, a tradition that Mughal rulers followed to ensure their final peace in a place they had developed during their lifetime. The site, now known as Bagh-e Babur, sits on the Sher Darwaza hillside in District 5 of Kabul, southwest of Shahr-e Naw and just south of the Kabul Zoo. It is a place where the over 500-year-old terraced gardens, a small mosque, and numerous walking paths converge to honor the first Mughal emperor. Babur's memoirs, the Baburnama, provide a detailed description of this garden, revealing his deep connection to the landscape and his desire to leave a legacy that would outlast his reign. The garden was not just a place of beauty but a symbol of his power and his vision for Kabul, a city he had taken over from the Arghun dynasty. The choice of this specific location for his burial was a testament to his high rank and his desire to be remembered in a site that befitted his status as the founder of the Mughal Empire.
Mughal Additions and Marble Screens
The legacy of Babur was not left to the sands of time alone, as his successors, including the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, made significant contributions to the site, transforming it into a more formalized graveyard. In 1607, Jahangir made a pilgrimage to the site, ordering that all gardens in Kabul be surrounded by walls, a prayer platform be laid in front of Babur's grave, and an inscribed headstone be placed at its head. The most striking addition came during Shah Jahan's visit in 1638, when a marble screen was erected around the tomb of Babur, and a mosque was built on the terrace below. Accounts from the time describe a stone water channel that ran between an avenue of trees from the terrace below the mosque, with pools at certain intervals, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere. The transformation of Bagh-e Babur into a proper graveyard, with an enclosure around Babur's tomb, points towards the importance of Babur and the reverence his successors held for him. The marble screen, which contained references to Babur, was a testament to the artistic and architectural prowess of the Mughal Empire, and it served to separate the tomb of the Emperor from others, highlighting his unique status. The site continued to be of significance to Babur's successors, who saw it as a place of pilgrimage and reflection, ensuring that his memory would be preserved for future generations.
Babur ordered the creation of the Gardens of Babur in the year 1504. This command established an avenue garden in Kabul that eventually became his eternal resting place.
Where is the Gardens of Babur located in Kabul?
The Gardens of Babur sit on the Sher Darwaza hillside in District 5 of Kabul. The site is located southwest of Shahr-e Naw and just south of the Kabul Zoo.
Who is buried in the Gardens of Babur besides Babur?
The Gardens of Babur contain the final resting places of Babur's sister Khanzada Begum, his daughter Fakhr-un-Nissa, and his grandson Mirza Muhammad Hakim. Other notable figures buried there include Hindal Mirza and his child Ruqaiya Sultan Begum.
What happened to the original tomb of Babur in 1842?
The original tomb of Babur was destroyed by an earthquake in the year 1842. An 1832 sketch by Charles Masson published in 1842 remains the only visual record of the tomb's grandeur before its destruction.
When did the Gardens of Babur become a public park?
The Gardens of Babur were converted into a public recreation space in 1933. This transformation made pools and fountains the central focal point and allowed access to the general public.
Who manages the Gardens of Babur since 2008?
The Gardens of Babur have been managed by the independent Bagh-e Babur Trust since the 16th of January 2008. This management operates with support from Kabul Municipality, the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
The only visual record of the original tomb's grandeur comes from an 1832 sketch and short description by Charles Masson, a British soldier, which was published in 1842, the year the tomb was destroyed by an earthquake. Masson's account described the tomb as being accompanied by many monuments of similar nature, commemorative of his relatives, and surrounded by an enclosure of white marble, curiously and elegantly carved. Although the tomb was in a poor state of preservation, it revealed fine workmanship in stone carving, with high walls and lavish jali-work and relief decoration. The description provided by Masson gives us the only modern view of how extravagant the tomb was, highlighting the intricate details and the care that had been taken in its construction. The loss of the tomb in the earthquake of 1842 was a significant blow to the site, as it removed the central focus of the garden and left a void that would be felt for generations. The sketch and description by Masson remain a crucial source of information, allowing historians and archaeologists to piece together the original design and significance of the tomb. The absence of the tomb has led to a renewed interest in its reconstruction, with efforts to restore the site to its former glory and to honor the memory of Babur and his family.
From Royal Pavilion to Public Park
The transformation of Bagh-e Babur from a royal retreat to a public park reflects the changing political and social landscape of Afghanistan over the centuries. By 1880, Amir Abdur Rahman Khan constructed a pavilion and a residence for his wife, Bibi Halima, adding a new layer to the site's history. In 1933, the space was converted into a public recreation space, with pools and fountains becoming the central focal point, making it accessible to the general public. A modern greenhouse and swimming pool were added in the late 1970s, further enhancing the site's appeal to visitors. The garden has changed drastically from the Mughal impression of the space to the present, with outside influences shaping the use of the site over time. The conversion of the garden into a public space was a significant step in the democratization of the site, allowing people from all walks of life to enjoy its beauty and historical significance. The addition of modern amenities such as the greenhouse and swimming pool demonstrated the site's adaptability to the needs of contemporary visitors, while still preserving its historical character. The garden remains a major historically important site in Kabul, serving as a place of recreation, reflection, and cultural identity for the people of Afghanistan.
Rebuilding After Civil War
The gardens were heavily damaged during the Afghan Civil War, which lasted from 1992 to 1996, leaving the site in a state of disrepair and requiring extensive restoration efforts. A detailed survey of the perimeter walls of the garden, parts of which are thought to date from the late 19th century, was undertaken, revealing that these walls were built of a mix of traditional hand-laid earth and sun-dried bricks on stone foundations, techniques still widely used in rural construction in Afghanistan. After careful documentation, damaged sections of the walls were repaired or rebuilt between 2002 and 2004, during which nearly 100,000 work days were generated for skilled and unskilled labour. The restoration efforts were not just about fixing physical damage but also about preserving the traditional techniques and materials that had been used in the construction of the garden. The focus of conservation has been on the white marble mosque built by Aurangzeb in 1675 to mark his conquest of Balkh, the restoration of the Babur's grave enclosure, and the repairs to the garden pavilion dating from the early 20th century. The restoration of the garden was a significant step in the recovery of Kabul, as it helped to restore the pride and confidence of the citizens of the city, who had suffered through years of conflict and instability.
A Revival of Cultural Identity
The restoration of Bagh-e Babur was not merely an architectural project but a cultural and social initiative aimed at reviving the identity of Kabul and its people. The plan put forth by the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme calls for the reconstruction of the Bagh-e Babur and includes several key components, such as the rebuilding of the perimeter walls, the rehabilitation of the Shah Jahani mosque, and the restoration of Babur's grave enclosure. The perimeter walls, common throughout many Islamic cities, would provide for the closure of the area, creating a sense of enclosure and privacy that is traditional in the region. The restoration of the Shahjahani mosque, a place for prayer and meditation for visitors to the gardens, would be restored, allowing people to connect with the spiritual and historical aspects of the site. The biggest idea proposed is the restoration of Babur's tomb, which would bring about a unity fixed around the ruler responsible for the importance of Kabul and the restoration of the historic quarters would restore the pride of the citizens of the city. The restoration of the garden was seen as a way to revive the cultural identity of Kabul, as it helped to reconnect the people with their history and heritage, providing a sense of continuity and stability in a time of change and uncertainty.
Family Burials and Historical Figures
The site of Bagh-e Babur is not only the resting place of Babur but also the final resting place of several notable members of his family, including his sister Khanzada Begum, his daughter Fakhr-un-Nissa, and his grandson Mirza Muhammad Hakim. Khanzada Begum, who lived from 1478 to 1545, was the older sister of Babur and the wife of Shaybani Khan, playing a prominent role in the establishment of the Mughal Empire. Fakhr-un-Nissa, who died in 1501, was the first born daughter of Babur, and her burial in the garden highlights the importance of family and lineage in Mughal culture. Hindal Mirza, who lived from 1519 to 1551, was the youngest son of Babur, and his only child, Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, is buried next to him, creating a family plot that spans generations. The presence of these family members in the garden adds a personal and emotional dimension to the site, making it a place of remembrance and reflection for the descendants of Babur and the people of Afghanistan. The burial of these notable figures in the garden underscores the importance of the site as a place of historical and cultural significance, serving as a testament to the legacy of the Mughal Empire and its impact on the region.
Modern Stewardship and Visitor Numbers
Since the 16th of January 2008, the garden has been managed by the independent Bagh-e Babur Trust, with support from Kabul Municipality, the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, marking a new era of stewardship and conservation. The gardens have seen a significant increase in visitor numbers and revenue, with nearly 300,000 people visiting the site in 2008 and about 1,030,000 people visiting the site in 2016, demonstrating the growing interest in the site among both locals and foreign tourists. Significant investments have been made in the natural environment of the garden, taking into account the historic nature of the landscape and the needs of contemporary visitors. A system of partially piped irrigation was installed, and several thousand indigenous trees were planted, including planes, cypresses, hawthorn, wild cherry, and other fruit and shade trees, creating a lush and vibrant environment that is both historically accurate and ecologically sustainable. The restoration of the garden has been a success story, with the site serving as a model for the preservation of historical sites in Afghanistan and beyond. The increase in visitor numbers and revenue has provided a source of income for the site, allowing for further conservation and development efforts, while also raising awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage in the region.