Zadian Minaret

Coordinates: 37°1′29″N 66°56′37″E / 37.02472°N 66.94361°E / 37.02472; 66.94361
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Zadian Minaret
Zadian Minaret in 1976
TypeMinaret
LocationZadian, Dawlatabad District, Balkh Province, Afghanistan
Coordinates37°1′29″N 66°56′37″E / 37.02472°N 66.94361°E / 37.02472; 66.94361
Height25-metre (82 ft)
Built12th century
Zadian Minaret is located in Afghanistan
Zadian Minaret
Location of Zadian Minaret in Afghanistan

The Zadian Minaret is a minaret in Zadian, Balkh Province in north Afghanistan. It is located in the remote region of the Dawlatabat District, in northwestern Balkh Province.

Etymology

The word 'minaret' is

muezzin
calls the faithful to prayer. However, it can also mean lighthouse.

The minaret is nameless, so it is named after the village Zadian.

History

The minaret was built by the

Seljuk dynasty, during the 12th century.[citation needed] According to the Archaeological Gazetteer of Afghanistan, the minaret was built in 1108-09.[1] However, some archaeological studies suggest that the date of the construction of the minaret is approximately around the year 760.[2]

In the 12th century, the region was missed by Genghis Khan and the invading Mongols.[3]

Archaeology has taken place in the district, including works by the French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan (DAFA).[1][4]

As the minaret is climbable, local citizens have scaled the tower and some have fallen to their deaths in attempts.[1]

Site

The 25-meter high minaret was built in the 12th century and is made of sun-baked clay and plaster bricks. It is 18 meters in diameter. The structure has 64 stairs in it and there are carved calligraphic phrases in Kufic script.[5][6]

Shrine of Hazrat Saleh

Afghan pilgrims have visited the minaret due to the adjacent shrine a hundred feet away. The shrine of Hazrat Saleh is located by the minaret. The shrine is associated with the Islamic prophet

Mada'in Saleh, Saudi Arabia. The green-draped tomb of Saleh inside the shrine is facing east, while Islamic graves are arranged so that it faces Mecca, which is west of Afghanistan, suggesting pre-Islamic origins of the site. On the outside, there is an arched niche where pilgrims have left pieces of mud in the hope of a cure for skin ailments.[1]

Inscriptional content


Gallery

  • Minaret in 1976
    Minaret in 1976
  • The shrine of Hazrat Saleh, left of the minaret
    The shrine of Hazrat Saleh, left of the minaret
  • The minaret
    The minaret

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Minaret of Zadian.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "History in Stone". Washington Examiner. 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  2. ^ a b "Mazar-e-Sharif Tour". Afghanistan Travel Guide. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  3. ^ "Silk Road jewel reveals its treasures". BBC News. 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  4. ^ "Mazar-e-Sharif Tour". Afghanistan Travel Guide. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  5. ^ "Mazar-e-Sharif Tour". Afghanistan Travel Guide. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  6. ^ "Silk Road jewel reveals its treasures". BBC News. 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
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