Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam - (World Heritage Site in Afghanistan)

Brief Report

The 65m high Minaret of Jam is a graceful, soaring in structure, dating back to the 12th century. In extensive masonry with a blue tiled caption on the top, it is remarkable for the quality of the architecture and decoration, which is the culmination of an architectural and artistic tradition in this region. The effect is reinforced by the dramatic, a deep river valley between towering mountains in the heart of the Ghur province

Brief synthesis

At 1,900 m above sea level, and far from the city, the Minaret of Jam rises in a rugged valley along the Hari-rud feature then River at the confluence with the Jam approximately 215km east of Herat. Ascending to 65m of a 9m diameter octagonal basis, are four projected, pointed cylindrical shafts are made from baked stone.

The Minaret of Jam is one of the few well-preserved monuments of the exceptional artistic creativity and control of structural manipulation of the time. The architecture and decorations are excellent from the point of view of art history, fusing elements from previous developments in the region with an exceptional way exercise and a strong influence on later architecture in the region. This graceful soaring in structure is an excellent example of the architecture and ornamentation of the Islamic period in Central Asia and played a significant role in the further spread as far as India, as demonstrated by the Qutb Minar, Delhi, started in 1202 and completed in the early 14th century.

Wide Report

The architecture and ornamentation of the minaret still from the point of view of art history, fusing elements from previous developments in the region in an extraordinary way and exercise a strong influence on later architecture in the region. It is an excellent example of Islamic architecture and decorations in this region and played a significant role in the further spread. At 1,900 m above sea level, and far from the city, the minaret rises in a rugged valley in the heart of Ghur Province. It is a graceful, soaring in structure, dating back to the 12th century, believed to have been built to commemorate a great victory of the sultans of the Ghurid dynasty. Jam is believed to have been the summer residence of the Ghurid emperors and probably marks the site of the ancient city of Firuzkuh, the capital of the Ghurid dynasty. A message indicates the date of construction in 1194.

The minaret is one of the few well-preserved monuments of the exceptional artistic creativity and control of structural manipulation of the time. It is built on the southern shore of the Hari River at the intersection of two canyon-like river valleys. Rising to 65 m from a 9 m diameter octagonal basis, are four converging cylindrical shafts are built of baked stone pasted with lime cement. The exterior of the minaret is fully covered with geometric decoration in relief on the plain structural bricks. The first cylinder is the most decorated: it is divided into eight vertical segments correspond to those of the base. Each main vertical zone is a narrow band of inscriptions in a continuous line around each panel.

A group stone with Hebrew inscriptions on the Kushkak hill between the minaret and the village of jams, supposed to date from the 11th to the 12th century, probably came from a nearby Jewish cemetery. The remains of castles and towers of the Ghurid arrangements are to be found on the opposite bank of the Hari River, north of the minaret and high on the cliff. There are also the remains of fortifications visible on the east side of the minaret, which give the impression that the minaret was surrounded by a settlement but by a military camp.

From the minaret was built no major alterations or refurbishment has taken place, apart from consolidation around the base. The archaeological remains are examined and recorded in the 20th century, but without any attempt to repair or reconstruction, while the only excavation is illegal and uncontrolled.

Wonderful Universal Importance

The Minaret of Jam probably marks the site of the ancient city of Firuzkuh, the capital of the dynasty Ghurid considered that Afghanistan and northern parts of India, from Kashgar to the Persian Gulf, in the 12th and 13th century. A message indicates the date of construction in 1194, and another indicates the name of the mighty Ghurid reigning emperor, Sultan Ghiyas ud-Din (1157-1202).  It is likely that the Minaret was built in memory of his victory in New Delhi in 1192 on the Ghaznavid Empire, hence the name sometimes given, Victory Tower.

The site of jams is believed to have been the summer residence of the Ghurid Emperors. There are indications that the mosque the minaret was confirmed was of moderate size, and proportion to the dimensions of the minaret, in contrast to the basic principles of the Islamic architecture. After the death of Ghiyas ud-Din his brother Muiz ud-Din succeeded him. 

The Ghurid Empire came under heavy pressure from its neighbors, the Kharizm, south of the Aral Sea, and gradually gave its areas. Only on the mountain retreat of Bamiyan has the dynasty survive, until the last ruler was imprisoned and put to death in 1215. The city was destroyed by the Mongols Firuzkuh Ogodaï in 1222.