Afghanistan: Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam

"The 65m-tall Minaret of Jam is a graceful, soaring structure, dating back to the 12th century. Covered in elaborate brickwork with a blue tile inscription at the top, it is noteworthy for the quality of its architecture and decoration, which represent the culmination of an architectural and artistic tradition in this region. Its impact is heightened by its dramatic setting, a deep river valley between towering mountains in the heart of the Ghur province."
Source: UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites

I have one of these postcards in my collection and will upload the image shortly.
Below is a photo of the Minaret of Jam for curious minds :-)


The minaret was built in the 1190s, entirely of baked bricks. It is famous for its intricate brick, stucco and glazed tile decoration, which consists of alternating bands of kufic and naskhi calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Qur'an (the surat Maryam, relating to Mary, the mother of Jesus).
It is likely that the Minaret was constructed to commemorate Sultan Ghiyas ud-Din's (1157-1202) victory at Delhi in 1192 over the Ghaznavid Empire, hence the name sometimes given to it, the Victory Tower.
The site of Jam is believed to have been the summer residence of the Ghurid Emperors. There are indications that the mosque to which the minaret was attached was of modest size, and disproportionate to the dimensions of the minaret, contrary to the basic principles of Islamic architecture.
After the death of Ghiyas ud-Din his brother Muiz ud-Din succeeded him. The Ghurid Empire came under intense pressure from its neighbours, the Kharizm, from south of the Aral Sea, and gradually yielded up its territories. Only at the mountainous retreat of Bamiyan did the dynasty survive, until its last ruler was captured and put to death in 1215. The town of Firuzkuh was destroyed by the Mongol Ogodaï in 1222.
You can see a very interesting video of Minaret of Jam here.

Afghanistan: Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley

"The cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley represent the artistic and religious developments which from the 1st to the 13th centuries characterized ancient Bakhtria, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara school of Buddhist art. The area contains numerous Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period. The site is also testimony to the tragic destruction by the Taliban of the two standing Buddha statues, which shook the world in March 2001."
Source: UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites

Postcard # 1:
The Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan  really became World-renowned when the news of their destruction by Taliban Government spread around the globe in 2001. Talibans destructed two large Buddha Statues in Bamiyan Valley. Although they were some of the largest Buddha statues in the World, yet the archaeological site is not just restricted to those two statues. There are numerous other statues, monasteries and sanctuaries in the area.

Interestingly, I found this beautiful postcard in one of the postcard shops in Pakistan. Bamiyan Valley is one of the 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger.
Your comments on the postcard are warmly welcomed in Comments Section below!