The Minaret of Jam
Most of us know that World famous Qutub Minar (pictured below), Delhi, India, is the World's tallest (72 metres high) brick minaret.
Picture of Qutub Minar from Panoramio is by Mushir Killedar
However very few of us know of existence of the Minaret of Jam, the second-tallest (65 metres high) brick minaret in the World, which was reportedly the inspiration for the Qutub Minar in Delhi.
Image from Panoramio is by Davidadamex
Image from Panoramio is by Davidadamex
The Minaret of Jam is located by the Hari Rud River in the Shahrak, Afghanistan in a deep river valley between towering mountains. As per the inscription on the tower, it was built around 1193/4 or, more likely, 1174/5. It has intricate stucco and glazed tile geometric decoration, and verses from the Sura Maryam of Holy Qur'an (Verses relating to Virgin Mother Mary).
The minaret remained unknown to most of the World till it was re-disvovered in 1886 and come to world's attention as late as 1957. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The minaret is now threatened by water seeping from the nearby river and illegal archaeological thefts.
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