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QALA-I-HAJI SAHIB,
LOCATION:
In Kabul, 25 km to the north of
Kabul
DESCRIPTION: ”One of Afghanistan’s more respected 18th century
Sufi mystics taught and wrote in a tiny hamlet lying north
of Kabul where one may visit his large mausoleum and a mosque
uniquely decorated with bright wall-paintings”…”The domes
of Qala-i-Hajib Sahib loom in the
distance a kilometre on the right. Sparse tile work on the
spandrels of the mehrab projecting from the west wall and yellow
and white painted decoration on the corner pillars give little
hint of what awaits inside. The complex consists of an enclosed
winter mosque on the south, a large mosque in the center,
and the octagonal, domed mausoleum on the north. A screen
of open-work brick sets off the two side buildings from an
extensive courtyard planted with trees and traversed by a
canal carrying crystal clear water from a karez. The walls of the forecourt and the
interior of the central mosque are completely painted with
a wealth of floral designs arranged in panels and recessed
niches with pointed, scalloped arches. Small rectangular niches
to hold flickering oil lamps flank the main doorway. The most
spectacular designs consist of flowering bushes and vases
of flowers with pomegranates or bowls of fruit and cucumbers
beside them”… “The domes have fallen, rain has splashed them
and brought down mud from the broken superstructures, snow
has piled high against them, but the colours, predominately
red and orange, remain vivid and remarkably clear despite
such neglect.”
From
Dupree,N.H. An Historical Guide to Afghanistan, Kabul, 1977, p. 123
CONDITION:
Assessment urgently needed.
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QALA-I-HAJI SAHIB
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