Qala-i-Jangi, 19th-century fortress in Balkh Province, Afghanistan
The fortress spans 550 meters in length and 270 meters in width, featuring four mud towers at its corners rising 24 meters high.
Built in 1889 by Abdur Rahman with British funds, the fortress required 18,000 workers and 12 years to complete as protection against Russian forces.
The fortress contains a traditional gold-domed mosque and includes separate northern and southern courtyards divided by a 24-meter internal wall.
The fortress maintains its original layout with multiple entry points and remains accessible through coordination with local authorities in Mazar-i-Sharif.
In 2001, the fortress became the site of a significant prisoner uprising, resulting in the first American casualty of the Afghanistan War.
Location: Balkh Province
GPS coordinates: 36.66667,66.98333
Latest update: May 10, 2025 18:54
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