Qala-e-Bost

Qala-e-Bost (Persian: قلعه بست, Pashto:بست کلا), also romanized Qalai Bust, which means the Bost Castle, is a fortress in Bost, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, built 3000 years ago.[1][2][3] It is located at 31° 30’ 02″ N, 64° 21’ 24″ E near the convergence of the Helmand and Arghandab Rivers, a half-hour's drive south of Lashkargah. Qala-e-Bost is famous for its 11th century decorative arch, which appears on the 100 Afghani note (Afghan currency). The arch is part of the remains of a mosque.[4]

Qala-e-Bost
Archeological site
Ghurid dynasty arch in Qala-e-Bost
Ghurid dynasty arch in Qala-e-Bost
Qala-e-Bost is located in Afghanistan
Qala-e-Bost
Qala-e-Bost
Location in Afghanistan
Coordinates: 31°30′2″N 64°21′24″E
Country Afghanistan
ProvinceHelmand

History

In 2006, construction began on a cobblestone road to lead from the south of Lashkargah to the Qala-e-Bost Arch (known to readers of James A. Michener's Caravans as Qala Bist.)[5] As of April 2008, it was possible to descend into an ancient shaft about 20 feet across and 200 feet deep, with a series of dark side rooms and a spiral staircase leading to the bottom. In 2020, restoration work started on the fort.[6][7]

In 2021, it became home to hundreds of people who fled Taliban clashes.[8]

Fortress and arch of Qala-e-Bost as printed on Afghan banknote

See also

References
  1. "Helmand's Historic Bost Fort Left to Deteriorate". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  2. Picture of Qala-e-Bost Castle http://maiaibing.smugmug.com/Afghanistan/Helmand-Landscape-Pictures/i-vP7ch3k
  3. "Helmand's Archeological Glories Vanishing". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  4. "BOST – Encyclopaedia Iranica". iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  5. National Geographic – Qala-E-Bost Arch, Afghanistan, 1968 Archived 22 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Work Begins in Helmand's Historical Sites". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  7. "Helmand's Bost Castle to be Restored: Officials". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  8. "Afghan war refugees settle in the ruins of an ancient royal city". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2021-07-21.


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