The Minarets of Herat, remnants of the pinnacle of artistic achievement during the Timurid era, still stand firm today as the crown jewels of the city.
Herat Province, known as the gem of ancient Khorasan, witnessed its most prosperous historical period during the 9th and early 10th centuries AH (15th to early 16th centuries CE) under Timurid rule. This era marked a golden age of expansion in art, literature, science, mysticism, handicrafts, and architecture.
These minarets, designed and directly supervised by the erudite Timurid Queen Gawharshad Begum in the late 15th century CE, have long been recognized as one of Herat’s most iconic symbols of pride.
Herat’s Ancient Artifacts: Narrators of History
The Timurid Empire showed particular interest in constructing historical buildings in Herat, such as mosques, khanqahs (Sufi lodges), libraries, and other cultural sites. Among these projects, Gawharshad Begum, wife of Timurid ruler Shah Rukh Mirza, initiated the grand “Musalla of Herat” complex in 820 AH (1417 CE). This extensive site included a madrasa, the Gawharshad Grand Mosque, the Sultan Husayn Bayqara Madrasa and Khanqah, the Amir Ali Shir Nava’i Grand Mosque, and other significant structures.
Today, only the mausoleums of Sultan Husayn Bayqara, Amir Ali Shir Nava’i, and Gawharshad Begum, along with several minarets, remain from this magnificent complex. The original musalla and madrasa have been lost to time. During its heyday, Herat welcomed numerous travelers and pilgrims from across the world.
Following Timur’s death and throughout the reign of Shah Rukh in Herat, up to the era of Sultan Husayn Bayqara and his wise vizier, Amir Ali Shir Nava’i, Herat became a hub and gathering place for renowned artists and craftsmen, thanks to the unwavering support of these rulers for art and culture.
In times past, trade caravans and pilgrims from near and far would spot these tall minarets from a distance, guiding them toward the city of Herat. To every newcomer, these minarets displayed the might of the Timurid Empire and their distinctive passion for constructing magnificent buildings and architectural artistry.
The Story of Herat’s Ten Tall Minarets
According to writings by Wali Shah Bahra, a researcher of Herat’s historical artifacts, after the death of Sultan Husayn Bayqara and amid succession conflicts—as well as invasions by the Uzbeks under Shaybak Khan and later the Safavids in 912 AH (1506 CE)—the city of Herat, and particularly the Musalla complex, could not escape the ravages of attack. The damage continued until 1304 AH (1886 CE), when, instigated by the British, this unparalleled complex was razed to the ground. Of all those historical monuments, only ten tall, ornate minarets and the dome of Gawharshad’s tomb remained.
Over time, due to decay and deterioration, five of these ten minarets collapsed. Today, only five minarets of this ancient and historical complex still stand.
The original height of these minarets was 34 meters, but their upper sections have since crumbled. Their current height ranges between 30 and 32 meters.
