Notes on some Monuments in Afghanistan. 

 By H. H. Hayden, Geological Survey of India. 



The Munars near Kabul. 



Masson's detailed researches on the subject of the Afghan topes, published in Wil- 

 son's (i A riana A ntiqua ' (1841), leave little for subsequent travellers to add. This,, 

 indeed, is fortunate, since the state of preservation of the topes and other monuments 

 both about Jalalabad and at Yakhdara near Kabul is now very inferior to what it was 

 in Masson's day. A few, however, still survive, and, of these, the most striking 

 are the two columns known as the Mundr-i-Chakri and Mundr-i-Surkh. 



The Mundr-i-Chakri (Plate xi) is one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the 

 neighbourhood of Kabul. It stands on the Kotal-i-Munar, a pass over the high ridge 

 crossed by the short cut from Kabul to Khurd Kabul and at about eight miles to the 

 south-east of the former place. It has already been described by Masson, 1 but the 

 figure given by him does not give a very accurate idea of the upper part of the 

 column. His drawing, however, shows the curious bulge on the north-western side 

 of the pillar ; this is very marked in the original, and is quite noticeable in the photo- 

 graph now reproduced. This bulge is due to the fact that the upper part of the column 

 leans over to the south-east, a defect which probably dates from the time of its con" 

 struction, as there is no evidence of recent displacement. The height of the column 

 is about 105 feet ; this estimate is based on the height of a stick, 5 ft. long, placed 

 against the tower and photographed with it ; it consequently only gives an approxi- 

 mation to the true height, which is probably somewhat greater. 



A fact which appears to have escaped Mr. Masson's attention is the considerable 

 use of timber in the construction of this Munar. Ends of wooden beams can be 

 clearly seen at the first projecting course, and other beams have been used, though 

 more sparingly, in the main mass of the masonry. 



A regrettable feature will be noticed in the illustration now published : this is 

 the dilapidated condition of the square base on which the pillar stands. Owing to 

 the effects of the weather, the western side of the pedestal is becoming gradually 

 undermined, and unless steps are taken before long to repair this damage, the Munar 

 must inevitably fall. 



The illustration now published is a reproduction of a photograph taken on 

 December 5th, 1907, by Mr. W. Donovan, of the Oriental Telephone and Electric 

 Company, Electrical Engineer to the Amir of Afghanistan. 



1 H. H. Wilson : Ariana Antiqua, p. 114, and pi. ix (1841). 



