The 65-metre (213 ft) tall Minaret of Jam is a swish, superb hovering construction, that dates again to the twelfth century. It’s positioned in a distant area of Western Afghanistan, the place floods, earthquakes and combating put the tower in danger. Lined in elaborate brickwork with a blue tile inscription on the prime, this UNESCO Heritage Web site is solely exceptional. Curious to know extra? Listed here are among the most fascinating info in regards to the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan.
7 Fascinating Information About Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan
1. Minaret of Jam is positioned in a distant a part of Afghanistan
The Minaret of Jam is positioned in western Afghanistan in a distant area of the Shahrak District within the Ghor Province – one of many thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. You’ll discover the Minaret of Jam subsequent to the Hari River. It is a distant and almost inaccessible space because of the lack of street linkage between villages and the district centre.
2. The Minaret of Jam dates again to the twelfth century
Building of the construction befell round 1190. It’s 65 metres (213 ft) excessive and is made totally of baked bricks. The minaret sits on an octagonal base and as soon as had two picket balconies and was topped by a lantern. Its design impressed the look of the Qutub Minar in Delhi, India.
3. The Minaret of Jam is the world’s second tallest historical minaret
At 65-metre (213 ft), the Minaret of Jam is the second tallest historical minaret on the earth. The Qutb Minar in Delhi is the tallest historical minaret on the earth. It’s 72.5 metres (238 ft) tall. Qutb ud-Din Aibak began building of the Qutb Minar in 1199 and his son-in-law, Iltutmish, accomplished its building in 1220. Subsequently, the development of the Minaret of Jam began round a decade or so earlier than the possible begin of the one in Delhi.
4. The Minaret of Jam options elaborate brickwork
Elaborate intricate brickwork covers the hovering tower and there are blue tile inscriptions on the prime. The stucco and glazed tile decorations include alternating bands of Kufic and Naskhi calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Qur’an. The highest band’s inscription options the shahada, which is the Muslim confession of religion. It says: “I bear witness there is no such thing as a god however Allah (and that) Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The band under this one options the inscription “Assist from Allah and current victory. Give good tidings (O Muhammad) to believers. O ye who imagine“, which is verse 13, surat al-Saff LXI.
5. The Minaret of Jam is on the Record of World Heritage in Hazard
In 2002, UNESCO inscribed the Minaret of Jam on its Record of World Heritage in Hazard. UNESCO describes the tower as “one of many few well-preserved monuments representing the distinctive inventive creativity and mastery of structural engineering of the time.” It additionally describes the construction its structure and ornamentation as “excellent from the standpoint of artwork historical past, fusing collectively components from earlier developments within the area in an distinctive method and exerting a powerful affect on later structure within the area.”
6. Earthquakes threaten the Minaret of Jam
The Minaret of Jam is threatened by erosion, water infiltration and floods, as a result of its proximity to the Hari and Jam Rivers. One other menace is the frequent earthquakes that happen within the area. On January 17, 2022, an earthquake precipitated bricks to fall from the tower and is now at even additional danger of collapsing.
7. Enhancing safety will assist protect the tower
Instability within the space and combating additionally put the Minaret of Jam in danger. The truth is, one of many prime strategies and priorities for shielding the tower is to enhance safety as looting of the archaeological web site is commonplace.
