Menu
cropped Brain Chamber Logo.webp
  • Ancient Civilizations
    • The Aztec Empire
    • The Ancient Egyptians
    • The Ancient Greeks
    • The Etruscans
    • The Inca Empire
    • The Ancient Maya
    • The Olmecs
    • The Indus Valley Civilization
    • The Sumerians
    • Ancient Romans
    • Vikings
  • Historical Places
    • Fortifications
      • Castles
      • Fortresses
      • Brochs
      • Citadels
      • Hill Forts
    • Religious Structures
      • Temples
      • Churches
      • Mosques
      • Stupas
      • Abbeys
      • Monasteries
      • Synagogues
    • Monumental Structures
      • Pyramids
      • Ziggurats
      • Cities
    • Statues and Monuments
    • Monoliths
      • Obelisks
    • Megalithic Structures
      • Nuraghe
      • Standing Stones
      • Stone Circles and Henges
    • Funerary Structures
      • Tombs
      • Dolmens
      • Barrows
      • Cairns
    • Residential Structures
      • Houses
  • Ancient Artifacts
    • Artwork and Inscriptions
      • Stelae
      • Petroglyphs
      • Frescos and Murals
      • Cave Paintings
      • Tablets
    • Funerary Artifacts
      • Coffins
      • Sarcophagi
    • Manuscripts, Books and Documents
    • Transport
      • Carts
      • Ships and Boats
    • Weapons and Armor
    • Coins, Hoards and Treasure
    • Maps
  • Mythology
  • History
    • Historical Figures
    • Historical Periods
  • Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
  • Natural Formations
cropped Brain Chamber Logo.webp

The Brain Chamber » Historical Places » Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams)

Shahr i Gholghola 6

Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams)

Posted on

The Enigmatic Shahr-e Gholghola: Afghanistan’s City of Screams

Shahr-e Gholghola, also known as the City of Screams, Woe, or Sorrows, stands near the town of Bamyan, Afghanistan. This archaeological site, rich in history and tragedy, tells the story of a siege, betrayal, and relentless warfare.

Get your dose of History via Email

loader

EMAIL ADDRESS*

Shahr e Gholghola 2

The Siege of Bamyan

In 1221, the Siege of Bamyan took place here during the Mongol pursuit of Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, the last ruler of the Khwarezmian Empire. Genghis Khan’s favorite grandson, Mutukan, son of Chagatai Khan, fell to an arrow shot from the besieged walls. Enraged by this loss, Genghis Khan ordered a massacre of the city’s population and its surrounding region. This event gave Shahr-e Gholghola its haunting nickname, the “City of Woe.”

Shahr e Gholghola 3

The Last Stand of Bamiyan

A short 20-minute walk from Bamyan leads to the remnants of Ghorid Bamiyan’s final stand against the Mongol hordes. Perched on a commanding rise, Shahr-e Gholghola was once reputed to be the best-defended of Bamiyan’s royal citadels. The fortress fell not by force but through betrayal.

Shahr e Gholghola 4

A Tale of Treachery

Bamiyan’s ruler, Jalaludin, held strong against Genghis Khan’s siege. However, his daughter, angered by her father’s remarriage to a princess from Ghazni, betrayed the castle’s secret entrance to the Mongols. Expecting a reward, she instead met a grisly end, as the Mongols executed her and slaughtered the remaining defenders. The resulting chaos and screams of the massacre gave the citadel its grim name, “City of Screams.”

Shahr e Gholghola 5

Journey to the Citadel

To reach the citadel, take the road up Teppe Baba Shah and veer left at the first junction. The walk, winding past wheat and potato fields, is particularly pleasant in late summer, when you can watch yoked oxen threshing grain. The road skirts the base of the citadel, with a path leading to a cleared parking area. Though the ruins were mined during the war, staying on the worn path to the summit ensures safety. At the top, a small police post requires visitors to produce a ticket, which also covers entry to the Buddha Niches and Shahr-e Zohak.

Shahr e Gholghola 6

Breathtaking Views

The citadel offers stunning views over the valley and the cliff walls. Looking south, you can see the Kakrak Valley, once home to a 6.5-meter standing Buddha, now lost but whose niche is still visible to the naked eye. The couple-hour walk through picturesque farmland from the citadel to this valley is worth the effort. Between the citadel and this valley lie the remains of Qala-e Dokhtar, or the Daughter’s Castle, once the residence of Jalaludin’s treacherous daughter.

Shahr e Gholghola

A Journey Through Time

Exploring Shahr-e Gholghola is like stepping back into a tumultuous past, where tales of valor, betrayal, and destruction come to life. The ruins, perched atop a hill, whisper stories of a bygone era, inviting visitors to reflect on the enduring legacy of history’s harshest lessons.

Sources:

Wikipedia
Lonely Planet

Neural Pathways

Neural Pathways is a collective of seasoned experts and researchers with a profound passion for unraveling the enigmas of ancient history and artifacts. With a wealth of combined experience spanning decades, Neural Pathways has established itself as a leading voice in the realm of archaeological exploration and interpretation.

4 thoughts on “Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams)”

  1. Willie Maykitt says:
    February 12, 2024 at 9:07 am

    Who doesnt love the history of such amazing places and the inhabitants there of throughout its history… how they lived… their culture…. Fascinating

    Reply
  2. Kathleen says:
    February 12, 2024 at 10:35 am

    I was thinking it would be helpful if you included a little map next time, so the reader can juxtapose this information with present day situations happening near this location?

    Reply
    1. Neural Pathways says:
      February 12, 2024 at 2:24 pm

      A map is a great idea. Thank you

      Reply
  3. Gustavo Linares says:
    February 12, 2024 at 1:18 pm

    Great articule the Afghanistan area involve such a amount of history between West and East and this is quite helpfull for better understanding

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

©2025 The Brain Chamber | Wikimedia Commons Contributions

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy