Shahr-e Zuhak, Bamyan, Historic fortress in Bamyan Valley, Afghanistan
Shahr-e Zuhak is a historic fortress on a hilltop in Bamyan Valley where the Kunduz and Kalu Ganga rivers meet. Red stone walls, several watchtowers, and steep cliffs form the visible remains of a former settlement with three layers of defensive structures.
The fortress was built between 500 and 600 AD under Hephthalite rule and was later reinforced by the Ghaznavid and Ghorid dynasties. Over several centuries, the site was continuously modified and expanded until it was eventually abandoned.
The remains show how people built homes and created religious spaces in this region. You can see how residents organized their settlement with protective walls in the mountain terrain.
The archaeological site lies roughly 40 km from Bamyan and is best explored with a local guide. The hilltop location and exposed cliffs demand caution when walking through the ruins.
The fortress was strategically positioned to overlook where two rivers converge below its walls. This control of water sources was vital for both defense and managing trade routes through the valley.
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