Ariana Garden, often referred to as Bagh-e Babur, is a significant historical landscape in Kabul, Afghanistan. It stands as a prominent example of Mughal garden architecture, reflecting a rich blend of cultural and horticultural traditions. This garden serves as the final resting place of Emperor Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire. Its enduring presence highlights centuries of historical importance.
Origins and Historical Development
The garden was established in 1528 CE by Zahir ad-Din Muhammad Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty. Babur held a deep appreciation for Kabul’s natural beauty and expressed a desire to be buried there. Although he initially died in Agra, India, his body was later transported to Kabul and interred in the garden around 1539-1544 CE, fulfilling his wish.
Following Babur’s death, subsequent Mughal emperors, including Jahangir and Shah Jahan, continued to embellish the site. Shah Jahan, for instance, commissioned a mosque within the garden between 1645 and 1646 CE. The garden experienced periods of decline from the late 17th to late 19th centuries, but later Afghan rulers, such as Amir Abdur Rahman (1880-1901) and King Nadir Shah (1929-1933), undertook significant restoration and redesign efforts.
Architectural and Landscape Features
Bagh-e Babur is a prime illustration of the traditional Charbagh layout, a Persian-style quadrilateral garden divided by water channels. The design features a series of 15 stepped terraces ascending a hillside, with a central axis incorporating water channels, fountains, and pools.
Babur’s tomb is situated on the fourteenth terrace, while Shah Jahan’s mosque occupies a lower terrace. The selection of plant species for the garden was informed by Babur’s own writings, which detailed various fruits grown in Kabul, including grapes, pomegranates, apricots, and apples. High perimeter walls define the garden’s boundaries and create a sheltered micro-climate.
Cultural and Political Importance
Beyond its horticultural design, Bagh-e Babur holds cultural and historical significance for Afghanistan. It symbolizes the nation’s artistic heritage and past. Historically, the garden functioned as a venue for various cultural, literary, and social gatherings, reflecting its role as a communal space.
As the tomb garden of Emperor Babur, it became a place of veneration and a symbol for the Mughal dynasty. It stands as the oldest imperial tomb and the westernmost example of a Mughal garden. Since the 1930s, the site has been accessible to the public, providing a space for recreation and cultural events for the residents of Kabul.
Present Condition and Future Outlook
Bagh-e Babur sustained considerable damage during the Afghan Civil War (1992-1996). During this period, many trees were felled for firewood, tombs suffered damage, and irrigation systems were compromised by stolen pumps, landmines, and unexploded ordnance.
Extensive restoration efforts commenced in 2002 CE, spearheaded by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in collaboration with local authorities, involving meticulous mine clearance, archaeological surveys, replanting, and reconstruction. By 2007, the majority of the physical restoration work was complete. Since 2008, an independent trust has managed the garden, which attracts over 400,000 visitors annually. Recognized as a significant public space and tourist attraction, it was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage status in 2009, providing an urban oasis and contributing to the social fabric of the city.