Babur's Garden: A Mughal Oasis in Kabul

Bagh-e Babur is a significant historical site in Kabul, Afghanistan, established in 1528 by Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire [10, 11]. The garden served as Babur's final resting place, reflecting his deep appreciation for nature and garden design [4, 10]. The site is located on the slopes of the Kuh-e Sher Darwaza, southwest of Kabul, and encompasses approximately 11.5 hectares arranged into 15 terraces [3, 5].Over the centuries, Bagh-e Babur has undergone numerous transformations. Mughal rulers saw the site as significant and aided in its further development [5]. Jahangir, Babur's successor, made a pilgrimage to the site in 1607 and ordered the construction of walls around all the gardens in Kabul [5]. Shah Jahan erected a marble screen around Babur's tomb and built a mosque on the terrace below in 1638 [5]. However, the gardens fell into disrepair after the Mughal dynasty lost control of Kabul [19].In the 1930s, under Nadir Shah, the garden was converted into a public park [4, 11]. Pools, reservoirs, and flower gardens were added along the central axis [4]. In the late 1970s, a modern greenhouse and swimming pool were constructed [4]. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) began extensive restoration efforts in 2002, supported by Afghan specialists and international experts [5, 10]. Today, Bagh-e Babur draws approximately one million visitors annually and is a key attraction in Kabul [5, 20]. Visitors can explore the landscaped gardens, which include a variety of trees, plants, and flowers, and visit Babur's tomb, the Shah Jahan Mosque, and a caravanserai [5, 9, 11].