Babur's Garden: A Mughal Oasis in Kabul

Bagh-e Babur, or Babur's Garden, is a significant historical site in Kabul, Afghanistan, dating back to the early 16th century [2, 3, 14]. The garden was established by Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, who chose this location as his final resting place [3, 5]. The park is thought to have been developed around 1504 when Babur ordered the construction of a garden in Kabul, as detailed in his memoirs, the Baburnama [2, 11]. The garden has been re-developed by various Afghan rulers since then [2].Located on the slopes of the Kuh-e Sher Darwaza, southwest of Kabul's old city, Bagh-e Babur spans approximately 11 hectares arranged into 15 terraces along a central axis [2, 6]. The garden follows the classical charbagh (four garden) pattern, with quartered rising terraces divided by a central watercourse [8, 14]. From the top terrace, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the garden, its perimeter wall, the Kabul River, and the snow-covered mountains [6].Over the centuries, Bagh-e Babur has undergone numerous changes [2]. Jahangir, Babur's successor, ordered the gardens to be walled and a prayer platform and headstone to be placed at Babur's grave [2, 11]. In 1638, during the visit of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, a marble screen was erected around Babur's tomb, and a mosque was built on the terrace below [2, 11]. In the 1930s, the garden was converted into a public park with pools and fountains [5]. After suffering damage during the war, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture began extensive restoration efforts in 2002, reviving the garden [3, 8, 14].Today, Bagh-e Babur attracts many visitors who come to stroll through the gardens, admire the Mughal architecture, and visit Babur's tomb [4, 11]. The site also hosts cultural and artistic festivals [4]. The gardens feature various types of trees and flowers, a small mosque, pools, and a Queen's Palace [4].