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], ].]] {{Short description|Park in Chelsatun, Kabul, Afghanistan}}
{{Infobox park
The '''Gardens of Babur''', locally called '''Bagh-e Babur''' ({{lang-ps}}/{{lang-fa|باغ بابر}}), is a historic park in ], ], and also the last resting-place of the first ] emperor ]. The gardens are thought to have been developed around 1528 AD (935 AH) when Babur gave orders for the construction of an ‘avenue garden’ in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the ].
⚫ | name = Bagh-e Babur
| alt_name = Gardens of Babur
⚫ | native_name = باغ بابر
| native_name_lang =
| photo = Garden_of_Babur_By_Dani.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_caption = Bagh-e Babur in September 2015
| photo_alt = Babur Gardens
| map =
| map_width =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| label =
| label_position =
| relief =
| mark =
| grid_ref_UK =
| grid_ref_Ireland =
⚫ | coords = {{coord|34.503|69.158|display=inline, title}}
| coords_ref =
| type =
| location = Sher Darwaza, ], ]<ref name="Bagh-e-Babur Draws One Million Visitors A Year"/>
| nearest_city =
| area =
| elevation =
| created = {{start date|1504}}<ref name="Kabul Treated To Mughal Art Exhibition"/>
| founder = ]
| status = Active
| awards =
| open = 7 am–8 pm
| parking = Yes
}}


'''Bagh-e Babur''' ({{langx|prs|باغ بابر}}), also known as '''Gardens of Babur''', is a ] in Chelsatun, ], ]. It is located in the Sher Darwaza hillside of District 5, southwest of ], or a short distance south of ] and north of ].<ref name="Bagh-e-Babur Draws One Million Visitors A Year"/> The gardens of Babur has several terraced buildings, a small ], and plenty of walking space. Visited by up to one million locals and foreign tourists a year,<ref name="Bagh-e-Babur Draws One Million Visitors A Year"/> it is also where the tomb of the first ] emperor ] is located. The park is thought to have been developed around 1504,<ref name="Kabul Treated To Mughal Art Exhibition">{{cite news |url=https://tolonews.com/arts-culture/kabul-treated-%C2%A0mughal-art%C2%A0exhibition |title=Kabul Treated To Mughal Art Exhibition |work=TOLOnews |date=2 April 2018 |access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> when Babur gave orders for the construction of an "avenue garden" in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the '']''. It has been re-developed by various ] since then.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3231731.stm |title=In pictures: Kabul's Moghul garden |publisher=BBC |date=6 November 2003 |access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref>
⚫ It was the tradition of Moghul princes to develop sites for recreation and pleasure during their lifetime, and choose one of these as a last resting-place. The site continued to be of significance to Babur’s successors, and ] made a pilgrimage to the site in 1607 AD (1016 AH) when he ordered that all gardens in Kabul be surrounded by walls, that a prayer platform be laid in front of Babur’s grave, and an inscribed headstone placed at its head. During the visit of the Mughal Emperor ] in 1638 (1047 AH) a marble screen was erected around the group of tombs, and a mosque built on the terrace below. There are accounts from the time of the visit to the site of Shah Jahan in 1638 (1047AH) of a stone water-channel that ran between an avenue of trees from the terrace below the mosque, with pools at certain intervals.

⚫ It was the tradition of Mughal princes to develop sites for recreation and pleasure during their lifetime and later choose one of these as their last resting place. The site continued to be of significance to Babur's successors; ] made a pilgrimage to the site in 1607, when he ordered that all gardens in Kabul be surrounded by walls, that a prayer platform be laid in front of Babur's grave, and an inscribed headstone placed at its head.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jahangir, Emperor of Hindustan |date=1999 |title=The Jahangirnama: Memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India |translator-last=Thackston |translator-first=Wheeler M. |translator-link=Wheeler Thackston |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=77 |isbn=978-0-19-512718-8 }}</ref> During the visit of the Mughal Emperor ] in 1638, a marble screen was erected around the tomb of Babur, and a mosque built on the terrace below. There are accounts from the time of the visit to the site of Shah Jahan in 1638 of a stone water channel that ran between an avenue of trees from the terrace below the mosque, with pools at certain intervals.


==History== ==History==
] watching men altering the course of the stream]] ] watching men altering the course of the stream]]
The original construction year of Bagh-e Babur is unknown. Relics have recently been found at the site dating to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5469/ |title=Bagh-e Babur |publisher=UNESCO |date=February 11, 2009}}</ref> "In the past ] came from different parts carrying trade loads and they would exchange their trade loads here," according to Bagh-e Babur management.<ref name="Bagh-e-Babur Draws One Million Visitors A Year">{{cite news |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/bagh-e-babur-draws-one-million-visitors-year |title=Bagh-e-Babur Draws One Million Visitors A Year |work=TOLOnews |date=8 January 2018 |access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> When ] captured Kabul in 1504 from the ] he re-developed the site and used it as a guest house for special occasions, especially during the summer seasons.
⚫ The original construction date of the gardens is unknown. When ] captured Kabul in 1504 from the ] he re-developed the site and used it as a guest house for special occasions, especially during the summer seasons. Since Babur had such a high rank, he would have been buried in a site that befitted him. The garden where it is believed Babur requested to be buried in is known as Bagh-e Babur. Mughul rulers saw this site as significant and aided in further development of the site and other tombs in Kabul. In an article written by the ],<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004).</ref> describes the marble screen built around tombs by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 with the following inscription:

⚫ {{quote|"only this mosque of beauty, this temple of nobility, constructed for the prayer of saints and the epiphany of cherubs, was fit to stand in so venerable a sanctuary as this highway of archangels, this theatre of heaven, the light garden of the godforgiven angel king whose rest is in the garden of heaven, ] the Conqueror."<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004)2.</ref>}}
⚫ Since Babur had such a high rank, he would have been buried in a site that befitted him. The garden where it is believed Babur requested to be buried is known as Bagh-e Babur. Mughal rulers saw this site as significant and aided in the further development of the site and other tombs in Kabul. In an article written by the ],<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004).</ref> describes the marble screen built around the tomb of Babur by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 with the following inscription:
⚫ {{quote|only this mosque of beauty, this temple of nobility, constructed for the prayer of saints and the epiphany of cherubs, was fit to stand in so venerable a sanctuary as this highway of archangels, this theatre of heaven, the light garden of the god forgiven angel king whose rest is in the garden of heaven, ] the Conqueror.<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004)2.</ref>}}


] ]
Although the additions of the screens by Shah Jahan contained references to Babur, Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, in her article "A Note on Babur's Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul"<ref>Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, "A Note on Babur’s Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul," In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 135-142.</ref> suggests that Shah Jahan's work transformed Bagh-e Babur into a graveyard. She states that a "mosque was built on the thirteenth terrace, the terrace nearest to Mecca; the next, the fourteenth terrace, was to contain the funerary enclosure of Babur's tomb and the tombs of some of his male relatives."<ref>Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, "A Note on Babur's Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul," In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 140.</ref> This transformation towards a proper graveyard, with an enclosure around Babur's tomb, points towards the importance of Babur. By enclosing Babur's tomb, Shah Jahan separates the tomb of the Emperor from others. Although the additions of the screens by Shah Jahan contained references to Babur, Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, in her article "A Note on Babur's Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul"<ref>Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, "A Note on Babur’s Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul," In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 135-142.</ref> suggests that Shah Jahan's work transformed Bagh-e Babur into a graveyard. She states that a "mosque was built on the thirteenth terrace, the terrace nearest to Mecca; the next, the fourteenth terrace, was to contain the funerary enclosure of Babur's tomb and the tombs of some of his male relatives."<ref>Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, "A Note on Babur's Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul," In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 140.</ref> This transformation towards a proper graveyard, with an enclosure around Babur's tomb, points towards the importance of Babur. By enclosing Babur's tomb, Shah Jahan separates the tomb of the Emperor from others.


The only hint of the design lies in an 1832 sketch and short description by ], a British soldier, which was published in 1842, the year the tomb was destroyed by an earthquake. One description of the tomb praised it, "although obviously-in a poor state of preservation, reveals fine workmanship in stone carving: high walls with lavish jali-work and relief decoration."<ref>Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, “A Note on Babur’s Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul,” In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 135.</ref> Mason described the tomb as being "accompanied by many monuments of similar nature, commemorative of his relatives, and they are surrounded by an enclosure of white marble, curiously and elegantly carved... No person superintends them, and great liberty has been taken with the stones employed in the enclosing walls."<ref>Masson, ''Narrative of Various Journeys,'' 2: 239., quoted in Zajadacz-Hastenrath, 136.</ref> Mason's sketch and Mason's description gives us the only modern view of how extravagant the tomb was. The only hint of the design lies in an 1832 sketch and short description by ], a British soldier, which was published in 1842, the year the tomb was destroyed by an earthquake. One description of the tomb praised it, "although obviously in a poor state of preservation, reveals fine workmanship in stone carving: high walls with lavish ]-work and relief decoration."<ref>Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, “A Note on Babur’s Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul,” In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 135.</ref> Mason described the tomb as being "accompanied by many monuments of similar nature, commemorative of his relatives, and they are surrounded by an enclosure of white marble, curiously and elegantly carved... No person superintends them, and great liberty has been taken with the stones employed in the enclosing walls."<ref>Masson, ''Narrative of Various Journeys,'' 2: 239., quoted in Zajadacz-Hastenrath, 136.</ref> Mason's sketch and Mason's description give us the only modern view of how extravagant the tomb was.
] trees inside the gardens.]]


]
Bagh-e Babur has changed drastically from the Mughul impression of the space to the present. Throughout the years outside influences have shaped the use of the site. For example, the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme describes how by 1880, ] ] constructed a pavilion and a residence for his wife, Bibi Halima. In 1933, the space was converted into a public recreation space with pools and fountains becoming the central focal point. A modern greenhouse and swimming pool were added in the late 1970s.<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004). 2.</ref> Although the enclosure of the Babur's tomb is no longer present, Bagh-e Babur still remains a major historically important site in Kabul. Bagh-e Babur has changed drastically from the Mughal impression of the space to the present. Throughout the years outside influences have shaped the use of the site. For example, the ] describes how by 1880, ] ] constructed a pavilion and a residence for his wife, Bibi Halima. In 1933, the space was converted into a public recreation space with pools and fountains becoming the central focal point. A modern greenhouse and swimming pool were added in the late 1970s.<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004). 2.</ref> Although the enclosure of the Babur's tomb is no longer present, Bagh-e Babur remains a major historically important site in Kabul.


Over the past few years, attempts at rebuilding and reconstructing the city of Kabul and Babur's tomb have been undertaken. Zahra Breshna, an architect with the Department for Preservation & Rehabilitation of Afghanistan's Urban Heritage, argues that, “emphasis should be on developing and strengthening the partially forgotten local and traditional aspects, whilst placing them in a contemporary global context. The goal is to preserve the tradition without hindering the development of a modern social, ecological and economical institution.”<ref>Zahra Breshna, “A Program for the Rehabilitation and Development of Kabul's Historic Center,” in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 23-49. (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 25.</ref> Planners also discuss the importance of ‘a revival of cultural identity’ in the development of Kabul.<ref>Zahra Breshna, “A Program for the Rehabilitation and Development of Kabul’s Historic Center,” in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 23-49. (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 27.</ref> These ideas seem to fall in line with the plan of ]. Over the past few years, attempts at rebuilding and reconstructing the city of Kabul and Babur's tomb have been undertaken. Zahra Breshna, an architect with the Department for Preservation & Rehabilitation of Afghanistan's Urban Heritage, argues that “emphasis should be on developing and strengthening the partially forgotten local and traditional aspects, whilst placing them in a contemporary global context. The goal is to preserve the tradition without hindering the development of a modern social, ecological and economical institution."<ref>Zahra Breshna, “A Program for the Rehabilitation and Development of Kabul's Historic Center,” in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 23-49. (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 25.</ref> Planners also discuss the importance of ‘a revival of cultural identity’ in the development of Kabul.<ref>Zahra Breshna, “A Program for the Rehabilitation and Development of Kabul’s Historic Center,” in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 23-49. (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 27.</ref> These ideas seem to fall in line with the plan of ].


The plan put forth by Aga Khan calls for the reconstruction of the Bagh-e Babur and includes several key components. The rebuilding of the perimeter walls, the rehabilitation of the Shahjahani mosque, and the restoration of Babur's grave enclosure are all important parts of the rehabilitation of the garden and aid in the ‘revival of cultural identity.’ The perimeter walls, common throughout many Islamic cities, would provide for closure of the area. This enclosure of orchids is traditional in the area.<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004). 12.</ref> Also, the restoration of the Shahjahani mosque, a place for prayer and meditation for visitors to the gardens would be restored. The plan put forth by Aga Khan calls for the reconstruction of the Bagh-e Babur and includes several key components. The rebuilding of the perimeter walls, the rehabilitation of the Shah Jahani mosque, and the restoration of Babur's grave enclosure are all important parts of the rehabilitation of the garden and aid in the ‘revival of cultural identity.’ The perimeter walls, common throughout many Islamic cities, would provide for the closure of the area. This enclosure of orchards is traditional in the area.<ref>Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004). 12.</ref> Also, the restoration of the Shahjahani mosque, a place for prayer and meditation for visitors to the gardens would be restored.


The biggest idea proposed is the restoration of Babur's tomb. The reconstruction of Babur's garden 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. Architect Abdul Wasay Najimi writes that, "Restoration of confidence, pride and hope would be the main outcome in reintegrating the historic quarters in the mainstream rehabilitation and development of Kabul. This would have a direct impact on the revival of identity."<ref>Abdul Wasay Najimi, "Preservation and Revival of Cultural Identity: The rehabilitation of the historical quarters and villages of Kabul responds to the needs of the city," in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 77-83, (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 81.</ref> The biggest idea proposed is the restoration of Babur's tomb. The reconstruction of Babur's garden 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. Architect Abdul Wasay Najimi writes that "Restoration of confidence, pride and hope would be the main outcome in reintegrating the historic quarters in the mainstream rehabilitation and development of Kabul. This would have a direct impact on the revival of identity."<ref>Abdul Wasay Najimi, "Preservation and Revival of Cultural Identity: The rehabilitation of the historical quarters and villages of Kabul responds to the needs of the city," in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 77-83, (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 81.</ref>

===Notable people also buried here===

Some notable members of Babur's family were also buried in the Bagh-e-Babur, including:

*] (r. 1494&ndash;1530); (1483&ndash;1530), founder of ].
*] (1478&ndash;1545), the older sister of Babur, wife of ] and prominent women in the Establishment of ].
*] (d. 1501), first born daughter of Babur, died in Infancy.
*] (1519&ndash;1551), the youngest son of Babur.
*] (1542&ndash;1626), the only daughter of Hindal Mirza and the Beloved wife of ]. Buried next to his father.
*] (1523&ndash;1602), daughter of Babur. Author of '''Humayun-Nama'''
*] (1553&ndash;1585), ]'s son and Babur's grandson.
*Shah Abul Maali (1550&ndash;1564), ]'s son-in-law and from the family of Great Seyyids of Tirmiz. <ref>Ibid., 2:176</ref>


==Restoration== ==Restoration==
⚫ The gardens were heavily damaged during the ]. A detailed survey of the perimeter walls of the garden, parts of which are thought to date from the late 19th century, was undertaken. These are built of a mix of traditional hand-laid earth (pakhsa) and ] 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.
⚫ ] and ].]]
⚫ Following this, a detailed survey of the perimeter walls of the garden, parts of which are thought to date from the late 19th century was undertaken. These are built of a mix of traditional hand-laid earth (pakhsa) 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 re-built between during 2002 and 2004, during which period nearly 100,000 work-days of employment were generated for un/skilled labour.


As part of efforts to ensure an appropriate degree of accuracy in the conservation and rehabilitation works, a range of documentation was identified and reviewed. In addition to specific references to Baghe Babur itself, contemporary accounts of types of trees and arrangements for the distribution of water were reviewed, and advice sought from those who have studied and undertaken rehabilitation work on other Moghul gardens in the region. As part of efforts to ensure an appropriate degree of accuracy in the conservation and rehabilitation works, a range of documentation was identified and reviewed. In addition to specific references to Bagh-e-Babur itself, contemporary accounts of types of trees and arrangements for the distribution of water were reviewed and advice was sought from those who have studied and undertaken rehabilitation work on other Moghul gardens in the region.


Since 2003, the focus of conservation has been on the white marble mosque built by Shahjahan in 1675 to mark his conquest of Balkh; restoration of the Babur’s grave enclosure; repairs to the garden pavilion dating from the early 20th century; reconstruction of the haremserai complex, or Queen’s Palace. In addition, a new caravanserai was built on the footprint of an earlier building at the base of the garden (where the base of a gateway built by Shah Jahan has also been preserved) and a new swimming-pool outside of the garden precinct. Since 2003, the focus of conservation has been on the white marble mosque built by Aurangzeb in 1675 to mark his conquest of ]; restoration of the Babur's grave enclosure; repairs to the garden pavilion dating from the early 20th century; and reconstruction of ]. In addition, a new caravanserai was built on the footprint of an earlier building at the base of the garden (where the base of a gateway built by Shah Jahan has been preserved) and a new swimming pool outside of the garden precinct.
Significant investments have also been made in the natural environment of the garden, taking 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 planted, including planes, cypresses, hawthorn, wild cherry (alubalu - allegedly introduced by Babur from the north of Kabul) and other fruit and shade trees. Based on the results of archaeological excavations, the relationships between the 13 terraces and the network of paths and stairs have been re-established. 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 (alubalu—allegedly introduced by Babur from the north of Kabul) and other fruit and shade trees. Based on the results of archaeological excavations, the relationships between the 13 terraces and the network of paths and stairs have been re-established.


Since early 2008, the garden has been managed by the independent Baghe Babur Trust, and has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers. Nearly 300,000 people visited the site in 2008. Since January 16, 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 ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Restoration in Kabul {{!}} Aga Khan Development Network|url=https://www.akdn.org/where-we-work/central-asia/afghanistan/cultural-development/restoration-kabul|access-date=2021-01-31|website=akdn.org|archive-date=2020-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202153851/https://www.akdn.org/where-we-work/central-asia/afghanistan/cultural-development/restoration-kabul|url-status=dead}}</ref> The gardens have seen a significant increase in visitor numbers and revenue. Nearly 300,000 people visited the site in 2008 and about 1,030,000 people visited the site in 2016.


==Gallery== ==Gallery==
<gallery perrow ="5"> <gallery mode="packed">
⚫ File:GOB-September 2011.jpg|Besides flowers and ordinary trees, fruit trees are grown inside the garden, including ] and ].
File:2011 SCF Kabul.jpg|2011 Sound Central Festival
File:2011 SCF Kabul-3.jpg|2011 Sound Central Festival File:Babur Gardens.jpg|] trees inside the gardens
File:2011 SCF Kabul-2.jpg|2011 Sound Central Festival File:Bagh-e Babur 2015.jpg|November 2015
File:2011 Afghan Youth Voices Festival.jpg|2011 Afghan Youth Voices Festival File:Kabul Baghe Babur mosque.jpg|Small mosque inside the gardens
File:2011 Afghan Youth Voices Festival in Kabul.jpg|2011 Afghan Youth Voices Festival
File:Kabul_Baghe_Babur_mosque.jpg|Small mosque inside the gardens
File:Men praying at Babur Gardens in 2010.jpg|Men praying File:Men praying at Babur Gardens in 2010.jpg|Men praying
File:Babur Gardens from a mountain top CROPPED.jpg|View of the gardens from a mountain top in 2009 File:Babur Gardens from a mountain top CROPPED.jpg|View of the gardens from a mountain top in 2009
File:Babur’s Gardens.jpg|Fall 2010 File:Babur’s Gardens.jpg|October 2010
File:Kabul_Baghe_Babur.jpg|Winter 2006 File:Kabul Baghe Babur.jpg|Winter 2006
File:باغ بابر.jpg|Summer 2015
</gallery> </gallery>

== See also ==
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
Line 54: Line 110:
==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Gardens of Babur}} {{Commons category|Gardens of Babur}}
*{{YouTube|oCwrlHLYtLM|Babur Garden: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Kabul}}
*
*{{YouTube|DRkhPR8HcEA|Bagh-e Babur Garden, Kabul, Afghanistan}}
⚫ *
*{{Citation |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5469/ |title=Bagh-e Babur |publisher=UNESCO |date= }}
⚫ *


{{Kabul Province}}
⚫ {{coord|34.503|69.16|display=title}}


] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
]

]
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Latest revision as of 03:27, 2 December 2024

Park in Chelsatun, Kabul, Afghanistan
Bagh-e Babur
Gardens of Babur
باغ بابر
Babur GardensBagh-e Babur in September 2015
LocationSher Darwaza, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°30′11″N 69°09′29″E / 34.503°N 69.158°E / 34.503; 69.158
Created1504 (1504)
FounderBabur
Open7 am–8 pm
StatusActive
ParkingYes

Bagh-e Babur (Dari: باغ بابر), also known as Gardens of Babur, is a historic site in Chelsatun, Kabul, Afghanistan. It is located in the Sher Darwaza hillside of District 5, southwest of Shahr-e Naw, or a short distance south of Kabul Zoo and north of Chihil Sutun. The gardens of Babur has several terraced buildings, a small mosque, and plenty of walking space. Visited by up to one million locals and foreign tourists a year, it is also where the tomb of the first Mughal emperor Babur is located. The park is thought to have been developed around 1504, when Babur gave orders for the construction of an "avenue garden" in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the Baburnama. It has been re-developed by various Afghan rulers since then.

It was the tradition of Mughal princes to develop sites for recreation and pleasure during their lifetime and later choose one of these as their last resting place. The site continued to be of significance to Babur's successors; Jahangir made a pilgrimage to the site in 1607, when he ordered that all gardens in Kabul be surrounded by walls, that a prayer platform be laid in front of Babur's grave, and an inscribed headstone placed at its head. During the visit of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638, a marble screen was erected around the tomb of Babur, and a mosque built on the terrace below. There are accounts from the time of the visit to the site of Shah Jahan in 1638 of a stone water channel that ran between an avenue of trees from the terrace below the mosque, with pools at certain intervals.

History

Babur watching men altering the course of the stream

The original construction year of Bagh-e Babur is unknown. Relics have recently been found at the site dating to the 3rd century BC. "In the past caravans came from different parts carrying trade loads and they would exchange their trade loads here," according to Bagh-e Babur management. When Babur captured Kabul in 1504 from the Arguns he re-developed the site and used it as a guest house for special occasions, especially during the summer seasons.

Since Babur had such a high rank, he would have been buried in a site that befitted him. The garden where it is believed Babur requested to be buried is known as Bagh-e Babur. Mughal rulers saw this site as significant and aided in the further development of the site and other tombs in Kabul. In an article written by the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, describes the marble screen built around the tomb of Babur by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 with the following inscription:

only this mosque of beauty, this temple of nobility, constructed for the prayer of saints and the epiphany of cherubs, was fit to stand in so venerable a sanctuary as this highway of archangels, this theatre of heaven, the light garden of the god forgiven angel king whose rest is in the garden of heaven, Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur the Conqueror.

Inside the tomb, believed to be Babur's, in the garden.

Although the additions of the screens by Shah Jahan contained references to Babur, Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, in her article "A Note on Babur's Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul" suggests that Shah Jahan's work transformed Bagh-e Babur into a graveyard. She states that a "mosque was built on the thirteenth terrace, the terrace nearest to Mecca; the next, the fourteenth terrace, was to contain the funerary enclosure of Babur's tomb and the tombs of some of his male relatives." This transformation towards a proper graveyard, with an enclosure around Babur's tomb, points towards the importance of Babur. By enclosing Babur's tomb, Shah Jahan separates the tomb of the Emperor from others.

The only hint of the design lies in 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. One description of the tomb praised it, "although obviously in a poor state of preservation, reveals fine workmanship in stone carving: high walls with lavish jali-work and relief decoration." Mason described the tomb as being "accompanied by many monuments of similar nature, commemorative of his relatives, and they are surrounded by an enclosure of white marble, curiously and elegantly carved... No person superintends them, and great liberty has been taken with the stones employed in the enclosing walls." Mason's sketch and Mason's description give us the only modern view of how extravagant the tomb was.

View of the gardens from the west, 1890s

Bagh-e Babur has changed drastically from the Mughal impression of the space to the present. Throughout the years outside influences have shaped the use of the site. For example, the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme describes how by 1880, Amir Abdur Rahman Khan constructed a pavilion and a residence for his wife, Bibi Halima. In 1933, the space was converted into a public recreation space with pools and fountains becoming the central focal point. A modern greenhouse and swimming pool were added in the late 1970s. Although the enclosure of the Babur's tomb is no longer present, Bagh-e Babur remains a major historically important site in Kabul.

Over the past few years, attempts at rebuilding and reconstructing the city of Kabul and Babur's tomb have been undertaken. Zahra Breshna, an architect with the Department for Preservation & Rehabilitation of Afghanistan's Urban Heritage, argues that “emphasis should be on developing and strengthening the partially forgotten local and traditional aspects, whilst placing them in a contemporary global context. The goal is to preserve the tradition without hindering the development of a modern social, ecological and economical institution." Planners also discuss the importance of ‘a revival of cultural identity’ in the development of Kabul. These ideas seem to fall in line with the plan of Aga Khan.

The plan put forth by Aga Khan calls for the reconstruction of the Bagh-e Babur and includes several key components. The rebuilding of the perimeter walls, the rehabilitation of the Shah Jahani mosque, and the restoration of Babur's grave enclosure are all important parts of the rehabilitation of the garden and aid in the ‘revival of cultural identity.’ The perimeter walls, common throughout many Islamic cities, would provide for the closure of the area. This enclosure of orchards is traditional in the area. Also, the restoration of the Shahjahani mosque, a place for prayer and meditation for visitors to the gardens would be restored.

The biggest idea proposed is the restoration of Babur's tomb. The reconstruction of Babur's garden 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. Architect Abdul Wasay Najimi writes that "Restoration of confidence, pride and hope would be the main outcome in reintegrating the historic quarters in the mainstream rehabilitation and development of Kabul. This would have a direct impact on the revival of identity."

Notable people also buried here

Some notable members of Babur's family were also buried in the Bagh-e-Babur, including:

Restoration

The gardens were heavily damaged during the Afghan Civil War (1992–1996). A detailed survey of the perimeter walls of the garden, parts of which are thought to date from the late 19th century, was undertaken. These are built of a mix of traditional hand-laid earth (pakhsa) 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.

As part of efforts to ensure an appropriate degree of accuracy in the conservation and rehabilitation works, a range of documentation was identified and reviewed. In addition to specific references to Bagh-e-Babur itself, contemporary accounts of types of trees and arrangements for the distribution of water were reviewed and advice was sought from those who have studied and undertaken rehabilitation work on other Moghul gardens in the region.

Since 2003, the focus of conservation has been on the white marble mosque built by Aurangzeb in 1675 to mark his conquest of Balkh; restoration of the Babur's grave enclosure; repairs to the garden pavilion dating from the early 20th century; and reconstruction of Tajbeg Palace. In addition, a new caravanserai was built on the footprint of an earlier building at the base of the garden (where the base of a gateway built by Shah Jahan has been preserved) and a new swimming pool outside of the garden precinct.

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 (alubalu—allegedly introduced by Babur from the north of Kabul) and other fruit and shade trees. Based on the results of archaeological excavations, the relationships between the 13 terraces and the network of paths and stairs have been re-established.

Since January 16, 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. The gardens have seen a significant increase in visitor numbers and revenue. Nearly 300,000 people visited the site in 2008 and about 1,030,000 people visited the site in 2016.

Gallery

  • Besides flowers and ordinary trees, fruit trees are grown inside the garden, including pomegranate and cherry. Besides flowers and ordinary trees, fruit trees are grown inside the garden, including pomegranate and cherry.
  • Maple trees inside the gardens Maple trees inside the gardens
  • November 2015 November 2015
  • Small mosque inside the gardens Small mosque inside the gardens
  • Men praying Men praying
  • View of the gardens from a mountain top in 2009 View of the gardens from a mountain top in 2009
  • October 2010 October 2010
  • Winter 2006 Winter 2006
  • Summer 2015 Summer 2015

See also

References

  1. ^ "Bagh-e-Babur Draws One Million Visitors A Year". TOLOnews. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  2. ^ "Kabul Treated To Mughal Art Exhibition". TOLOnews. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  3. "In pictures: Kabul's Moghul garden". BBC. 6 November 2003. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  4. Jahangir, Emperor of Hindustan (1999). The Jahangirnama: Memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India. Translated by Thackston, Wheeler M. Oxford University Press. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-19-512718-8.
  5. "Bagh-e Babur". UNESCO. February 11, 2009.
  6. Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004).
  7. Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004)2.
  8. Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, "A Note on Babur’s Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul," In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 135-142.
  9. Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, "A Note on Babur's Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul," In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 140.
  10. Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath, “A Note on Babur’s Lost Funerary and Enclosure at Kabul,” In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World, ed. Gülru Necipoglu, (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997), 135.
  11. Masson, Narrative of Various Journeys, 2: 239., quoted in Zajadacz-Hastenrath, 136.
  12. Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004). 2.
  13. Zahra Breshna, “A Program for the Rehabilitation and Development of Kabul's Historic Center,” in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 23-49. (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 25.
  14. Zahra Breshna, “A Program for the Rehabilitation and Development of Kabul’s Historic Center,” in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 23-49. (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 27.
  15. Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, "Babur's Garden Rehabilitation Framework," (Kabul, Afghanistan: The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2004). 12.
  16. Abdul Wasay Najimi, "Preservation and Revival of Cultural Identity: The rehabilitation of the historical quarters and villages of Kabul responds to the needs of the city," in Development of Kabul: Reconstruction and Planning Issues, edited by Babar Mumtaz and Kaj Noschis, 77-83, (Lausanne, Switzerland: Comportements, 2004), 81.
  17. Ibid., 2:176
  18. "Restoration in Kabul | Aga Khan Development Network". akdn.org. Archived from the original on 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2021-01-31.

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