Naw-Bahar Temple of Balkh

CIVILISATIONS TIMELINE

☼ Prehistoric :(100000 BCE - 3000 BCE)

- Darra-e Kor Cave

- Dasht-e Nawur

- Shahr-e Sokhta

☼ Ariana :(3500 BCE - 1500 BCE)

- Naw-Bahar Temple of Balkh

- The ancient city of Balkh

☼ Indus Valley :(3300 BCE - 1300 BCE)

- Silver Valley

☼ Helmand :(3200 BCE - 1800 BCE)

- Mundigak

☼ Oxus (BMAC) :(2300 BCE - 1700 BCE)

- Gonur Tepe

- Ikhtiyaruddin Fortress

☼ Achaemenid :(550 BCE - 330 BCE)

☼ Greco-Bactrian :(250 BCE - 125 BCE)

- Gazargah

☼ Gandhara :(0 CE - 400 CE)

☼ Kushan :(30 CE - 375 CE)

- The city of Zahak

☼ Sassanian Empire :(224 CE - 651 CE)

☼ Hephthalites :(400 CE - 500 CE)

☼ Islamic Caliphate :(600 CE - 800 CE)

- Maranjan Hill

- Nawbahar Hill

☼ Samanid dynasty :(819 CE - 999 CE)

☼ Tahirid dynasty :(821 CE - 873 CE)

☼ Saffarid dynasty :(861 CE - 1003 CE)

☼ Ghurid Empire :(879 CE - 1215 CE)

- Gholghola City

- Great Mosque of Herat

☼ Ghaznavid Empire :(971 CE - 1186 CE)

☼ Delhi Sultanate :(1206 CE - 1526 CE)

☼ Timurid dynasty :(1220 CE - 1500 CE)

- Herat Citadel

- The minarets of Herat

☼ Mughol dynasty :(1526 CE - 1857 CE)

☼ Durrani empire :(1747 CE - 1826 CE)

☼ Barekzai dynasty :(1826 CE - 1929 CE)

☼ Mohamadzai dynasty :(1929 CE - 1978 CE)

☼ Present :(1929 CE - 2025 CE)

Naw-Bahar Temple of Balkh

Registration :

REG-496b8e51c13e46d8

Name of the site:

Naw-Bahar Temple of Balkh

Site type :

Zoroastrian fire temple

Location :

Balkh، Mazar e Sharif

Discovery date :

01 January 1925

Discovered by:

Afghan and French archaeologists team

Civilisation Era:

Ariana 3500 BCE - 1500 BCE :

Archaeological Era :

Stone Age, Neolithic Age

Historical Era :

Ancient History

Researcher:

Sidiq Wafa

Last update :

01 January 1925

The Fire Temple or Naw-Bahar Temple of Balkh is one of the most renowned and significant religious and historical sites in the history of Afghanistan. This temple was located in the ancient city of Balkh, known as the "Mother of Cities," and has a rich history deeply rooted in the region's religious traditions.

Historical Background

Zoroastrian Era: It is widely believed that Naw-Bahar initially served as a Zoroastrian fire temple where religious rituals were conducted. Balkh was a major center for Zoroastrians and housed several fire temples.

Buddhist Era: During the spread of Buddhism in the region, the Naw-Bahar Temple became one of the most prominent Buddhist centers. The name "Naw-Bahar" is derived from the Sanskrit word Navavihara, meaning "New Monastery." This site became a cultural and religious hub for Buddhists, attracting pilgrims from various regions.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The temple was not only a place of worship but also a centre for learning, education, and religious research. Particularly during the Buddhist period, Naw-Bahar played a key role in spreading Buddhist culture and philosophy across Central Asia.

Historical texts in Arabic and Dari refer to Naw-Bahar as a sacred place. Islamic scholars like Ibn al-Nadim and Al-Biruni have also mentioned this site in their works.

Destruction and Transformation

With the advent of Islam in the region, many temples and fire sanctuaries were repurposed or destroyed. Naw-Bahar Temple was not exempt from this fate. Some sources suggest that this site was transformed into a mosque or Islamic centre during the Islamic conquests.

Legacy of Nohe-Bahar

Today, Naw-Bahar of Balkh remains a symbol of Afghanistan’s historical and cultural heritage. Although its physical remnants have either vanished or remain unidentified, it holds a special place in the historical memory of the region, serving as a reminder of the glorious cultural and religious epochs of this land.

This site is a testament to the interplay and convergence of different religions and cultures throughout the history of Balkh and Afghanistan.

Images / Maps credits:

www.mizanonline.ir
Mohammad Omar Parwani