[LETTER #3]
DATE: 1222
AUTHOR: HAZARA MUSLIM
ORIGIN: SHAHR-E ZOHAK, BAMIYAN
LANGUAGE: PERSIAN
TYPE: DEATH NOTE/LAST WORDS
A vicious crusader has come into our valley and created widespread destruction. He is called Changiz Khan, and I know little of him. He is not Christian, he is not Buddhist and most importantly, he is not a Muslim. He has no mercy and is not a man of Allah. We took position in this fortress at Shakr-i Zohak. Made up of small steep-sided hills, its natural construction was intended to be the perfect place for the defence and control of the valley (Baker 1991, 47). Unfortunately the citadel had vulnerable points, and Changiz Khan won the battle. Everything around me is dead. My brothers, my family and the history of the Hazara people. Nothing is untouched except that which is most inaccessible, the big Buddhas (Upasak 1990, 166). With my last remarks, I am glad that these prominent parts of our heritage endured, and will live on to represent who we were (Wordsmiths Compilation 2002, 228). May Allah have mercy on me.
RELEVANT PICTURES:
SHAHR-I ZOHAK
VIEW OF BIG BUDDHAS FROM SHAHR-I ZOHAK
Picture Disclaimer:
Shahr-i Zohak: This is an actual picture of the citadel, but from the 20th century
Approach Tower at Shahr-i Zohak: This picture is meant to demonstrates the fine infrastructure of the building, as watch towers were carved into the rock surface. This is also from the 20th century
View of the Big Buddhas from Shahr-i Zohak: This is an actual view of the Big Buddhas, but from the 21st century.
Sources in this Letter:
Baker, P.H.B. and F.R. Allchin, Shahr-i Zohak and the History of the Bamiyan Valley Afghanistan, Tempvs
Reparatvm: Oxford, 2002. Upasak, C.S., History of Buddhism in Afghanistan, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies: New Dehli, 1990.
Wordsmiths Compilation, Afghanistan: Things Fall Apart,Wordsmiths: New Dehli, 2002.
