The city of Zahak

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)

The city of Zahak

Registration :

REG-a7091fa035df4c9c

Name of the site:

The city of Zahak

Site type :

Ancient city

Location :

Bamyan، Bamyan

Discovery date :

01 January 1920

Discovered by:

Afghan and French archaeologists team

Civilisation Era:

Kushan 30 CE - 375 CE :

Archaeological Era :

Historical Era, Classical Age

Historical Era :

Classical Antiquity

Researcher:

Saif Fazel

Last update :

01 January 1920

Exact Geographical Location:

The city of Zahak is located in the Bamyan province of Afghanistan, near the central areas of the province. The city sits atop a hill along the Bamyan River and is close to surrounding villages.

Geographical Latitude and Longitude:

Latitude: 34.8472° North
Longitude: 67.9746° East

Historical Background:

Formation Period: The city of Zahak dates back to the pre-Islamic era and was established as a military and strategic center during the Kushan period. Later, during the Ghaznavid and Ghurid periods, it played an important role in the defense and management of trade routes.
Significant Years: The city of Zahak was severely damaged by the Mongols in the 13th century, and much of it was destroyed.

Architectural Features:

Fortresses and Defensive Towers: The city had strong fortifications and tall towers that were used for surveillance and defense.
Building Materials: The use of stone and mud in the remaining structures reflects the sustainable and appropriate architecture of that time.
Strategic Design: The city's location on a high hill provided the advantage of monitoring trade and military routes.

Cultural Significance:

Symbol of Resistance: The city of Zahak is recognized as a historical symbol of the resistance of the people of Bamyan against invaders.
Tourist Attraction: This ancient city, due to its rich history and the beautiful surrounding landscapes, is one of Afghanistan’s prominent tourist destinations.
Connection with Legends: The name of the city is linked to the legends of the Shahnameh and the character Zahak the tyrant, which has symbolic cultural significance.

Discoverer and Time of Discovery:

The city of Zahak was identified in the early 20th century by archaeologists during archaeological surveys in the Bamyan Valley. Since then, the area has been subject to research and study.

Images / Maps credits:

https://web.archive.org/web/20161016124926/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/43230705