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Helmand's Historic Bost Fort Left to Deteriorate

An 11th century arch located in southern Helmand province marks the principal approach to the ancient fortress citadel of Bost, now known as Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. Over the centuries, the city survived multiple invasions by the Ghorids, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, but, today, its historic structures face ruin because of neglect.

According to the local residents, over the past 800 years, no renovation or rehabilitation work has been conducted on the fort. Now, the only clear indicator of its historical significance is a sign naming it a heritage site, an ironic title given the lack of care it has been afforded.

The Bost Fort is considered one of Afghanistan's greatest cultural heritage sites, and it was built in the pre-Islamic era. The Fort lies in the suburbs of modern day Lashkar Gah city, alongside the Harirod river atop a muddy hill. The fort once served as vacation destination for Sultan Masood Ghaznavi.

"The fort is an ancient site, we regularly visit the site, but day-by-day the fort moves toward destruction," one visitor told TOLOnews.

According to one of the watchman at the ancient fort, a small renovation job was conducted during the Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan government, but it was incomplete. Other efforts to rehabilitate the site, such as those under King Mohammad Zahir, have been ad hoc and unsustainable.

"The Bost Fort is three thousand years old. It was built before the Christ," a watchman named Amir Mohammad said. "But day-by-day the fort goes toward disaster and the government doesn't concentrate on it."

Responding to questions about the fort, head of Helmand's Information and Culture Department, Ali Shah Mazloomyar, said security threats are the main obstacle to restoration. "We haver consulted UNESCO, Feroz Koh, French Cultural Center and several embassies about rehabilitating the fort, but the relevant bodies say that security threats are the main challenge in the way of renovating the fort."

Helmand's Historic Bost Fort Left to Deteriorate

An 11th century arch located in southern Helmand province marks the principal approach to the anci

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An 11th century arch located in southern Helmand province marks the principal approach to the ancient fortress citadel of Bost, now known as Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. Over the centuries, the city survived multiple invasions by the Ghorids, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, but, today, its historic structures face ruin because of neglect.

According to the local residents, over the past 800 years, no renovation or rehabilitation work has been conducted on the fort. Now, the only clear indicator of its historical significance is a sign naming it a heritage site, an ironic title given the lack of care it has been afforded.

The Bost Fort is considered one of Afghanistan's greatest cultural heritage sites, and it was built in the pre-Islamic era. The Fort lies in the suburbs of modern day Lashkar Gah city, alongside the Harirod river atop a muddy hill. The fort once served as vacation destination for Sultan Masood Ghaznavi.

"The fort is an ancient site, we regularly visit the site, but day-by-day the fort moves toward destruction," one visitor told TOLOnews.

According to one of the watchman at the ancient fort, a small renovation job was conducted during the Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan government, but it was incomplete. Other efforts to rehabilitate the site, such as those under King Mohammad Zahir, have been ad hoc and unsustainable.

"The Bost Fort is three thousand years old. It was built before the Christ," a watchman named Amir Mohammad said. "But day-by-day the fort goes toward disaster and the government doesn't concentrate on it."

Responding to questions about the fort, head of Helmand's Information and Culture Department, Ali Shah Mazloomyar, said security threats are the main obstacle to restoration. "We haver consulted UNESCO, Feroz Koh, French Cultural Center and several embassies about rehabilitating the fort, but the relevant bodies say that security threats are the main challenge in the way of renovating the fort."

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