Afghanistan: Kabul, Bagh-e Babur

Bagh-e Babur Excavation and Training Program

Excavations in one of the oldest existing Mughal gardens (finished in 2005)

Location

Kabul, Afghanistan

History

	overview of the garden, from north. May 2003

The first Mughal emperor, Babur, founded the Bagh-e Babur between 1504 and 1525 as one of ten gardens in Kabul before he conquered India in 1526. Inspired by the Timurid tradition, he patronaged a large number of pleasure gardens, but was posthumously buried according to his wish in Bagh-e Babur. Thus, the garden became a place of reverence for his heirs. The most prominent architectural features were added by Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) and Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1658), who describe their buildings in their memoirs. With the decline of the Mughal empire in Afghanistan in the late 17th cent., the garden deteriorated. It underwent extensive re-modellings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the present face is determined by the later buildings. Only the geometric plan with a prominent central axes recalls the original layout. During the factional fighting the garden was mined and destroyed. 

Objectives

The DAI carried out the archaeological work, within the framework of the rehabilitation project of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The excavations, supplemented by historic documents and illustrations, have provided important information on the ancient lay-out, landscaping, water technology, and architecture of the garden throughout the almost 500 years of its existence. The program included a training component for Afghan archaeologists. 

History of Research

	Print showing the tomb terrace, Atkinson 1838

The garden was repeatedly described by European travellers. The oldest photographs date back to 1879. In the 20th cent., first restoration measures took place that were accompanied by research on the garden history (Parpagliolo 1975/6). 

Current Work

Between August 2002 and June 2005, eight excavation and training seasons took place. Excavations focussed on the central axis, but minor investigations also took place in the peripheral areas. On each of the 15 terraces at least three trenches were opened to test width, slope and structures. Some areas, such as the terraces with the tomb, the mosque, the octagon, and the entrance area in the west were excavated more extensively.

The focus of the project is on garden archaeology, including the 3D documentation and reconstruction of the remains, in close collaboration with other segments of the project. Another important aspect is the training program.  

Results

	Kushanzeitliches Gebäude (1.-4. Jh.)
	Indo-griechische Münze
	Grab Baburs, mit älteren Gräbern
	view over octagon and terraces to west. Sept. 2003
	Karavanserei mit rekonstruiertem Torsockel

The excavations have provided crucial information on the ancient landscape and hydrology of the garden, its structural and visual concept, and the changes imposed on it throughout its existence. They further revealed that its history is much longer than assumed: In 2005, not only layers dating back to the 12th to 14th centuries, but also a ca. 2000 years old large building complex were uncovered. Altogether, seven larger building periods were noted.

1. Historic Period. An almost 60m long building with niches and massive walls on Terrace L dates to the Indo-Greek and Kushano-Sasanian Periods (ca. 50 - 400 AD). Most probably it is part of a large Stupa Complex.

2. 12th - 14th cent. Small structures, including forges, and pottery from the Ghorid Period were found in the western area.

3. Timurid Period. Based on the structural evidence, a grave near Babur´s tomb was dated to the Timurid period in 2003, a date now supported by some potsherds found in the entrance area. Possibly, a cemetery and a Timurid garden already existed. This would offer an explanation for Babur´s wish to be buried in the Bagh-e Babur.

4. Mughal Period. The area is transformed into a garden oriented along an east-west central axes before 1525, at the latest. To the early phase of the Mughal Period (Babur, Jahangir) belong Babur´s tomb with headstone, prayer platform (chabutra), and marble framing (jali), first irrigation channels and a caravanserai in the west..
Shah Jahan added the mosque and remodelled the garden in 1638. On the 9th terrace, a 6m x 6m large octagonal water basin was found. From here a first 1,5m, later 0,7m wide channel carried the water over cascades and pools with jetties to the western entrance area. The jetties were fed by a subterranean clay pipe system and earthen pressure pots. These features directed the view of the entering visitor towards the mosque and the tomb. In 2004-05, the plan of a building with ¾ towers and a hexagonal central chamber was exposed. This is probably the gateway mentioned by Shah Jahan, but nothing remains of the rising walls and the gilded cupola.

5. In the 18/19th cent, travellers describe the garden in decay. However, the mosque was repaired after an earthquake in 1842 and the channels were functioning around 1879. At some time, a new building was erected on top of the gateway foundations.

6. Amir Abdur Rahman (1880-1901) changed the garden thoroughly, in terms of structures and visual concept. A wall with arched blind niches around the tomb and the new pavilion that covers the old octagon, fenced off the tomb from view. The pavilion, a large palace, and a water fountain on Terrace H became the focal points.

7. King Nadir Shah (1929-1933) demolished many of these buildings again, built a swimming pool and three new fountains in the central axis. He levelled the terraces anew and planted them with flower beds. Babur´s tomb garden became a public park with swimming pool and a restaurant in the pavilion.


The last two building programs were accompanied by massive intrusions into the older remains and damaged them thoroughly. Looking at the nature of the changes one cannot but assume an implicit political motivation, targeting at creating a monument for the rulers according to contemporary fashion.

The information gathered through the excavations provide a sound bases for the reconstruction of the garden along its historical roots, integrating the standing buildings of Amir Abdur Rahman. The garden will be inaugurated in spring 2007.  

Cooperation

Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Ministry of Information and Culture, Kabul,
National Institute of Archaeology in Afghanistan, Kabul. 

Contact

PD Dr. Ute Franke

Vorderasiatische Archäologie
Telefon: ++49-30-20905403
Telefax: ++49-30-20905402
Email: ute_franke@yahoo.de

Further Contact Partners

Dr. U. Franke-Vogt, Eurasien-Abteilung des DAI (Tel.: 018887711-311, E-Mail: Ute.Franke-Vogt@t-online.de)
Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Kabul

Sponsors

Foreign office of Federal Republic of Germany
Aga Khan Trust for Culture  

Bibliography

U. Franke-Vogt, Kabul, Bagh-e Babur (Afghanistan). Jahresbericht des DAI 2002, Ausgrabungen und Forschungen. Archäologischer Anzeiger, 2. Halbband 2003, 304-305

U. Franke-Vogt/K. Bartl/Th. Urban, Bagh-e Babur, Kabul: Excavations in a Mughal Garden. In: U. Franke-Vogt/J. Weisshaar (Hrsg.), South Asian Archaeology 2003 (Bonn 2005) 539-555

M. T. Sh. Parpagliolo, The Bagh-i Babur, Afghanistan 28.3.1975, 57-93; 28.4.1976, 1-28.