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BALA HISSAR,
LOCATION: In Kabul
DESCRIPTION: The ancient walls
of Kabul begin at Bala Hissar, the ancient citadel or High
Fort. Seven meters; 23 ft. high and 3.7 m; 12 ft. thick, with
strategically positioned sentry towers, the walls are generally
assigned to the turbulent Hephthalite period during the 5th
century A. D. Succeeding dynasties added and repaired them
down through the 18th century.Kabul’s Bala Hissar, rising
150 feet above the plain, witnessed most of the exciting events
of Afghanistan’s history up until the spring of 1880.
Babur, founder of the Moghul Empire of India, lived here early
in the 16th century. He loved it well, did much to embellish
it, and wrote poetry extolling its commanding view. Succeeding
dings alternately ruled from it or languished in its dungeons.
Then, on that fateful day in September 1879, a British Representative,
Sir Louis Cavagnari, and his escort, were cut down in one
of its palaces on the southern side. This vivid protest against
British interference in Afghan affairs brought a British army
to occupy the Bala Hissar, hang rebellious chieftains from
gallows erected in its courtyards, and to close its story
the following spring when they demolished it as “a lasting
memorial of our ability to avenge our countrymen” (General
Robertson).”
From Dupree,N.H. An Historical Guide to Afghanistan, Kabul,
1977, p. 83
CONDITION: Assessment urgently
needed
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