Bala Hisar

Balkh, Afghanistan

The Bala Hisar of Balkh is a fortified area within the larger walled enclosure of Balkh situated to the north of the modern city. Abandoned today, the area marks the original location of the city of Balkh before its expansions in the Greek, Kushan, and Islamic periods. The circular enclosure wall with half-round ramparts that stands today dates to the reoccupation of the site during the Timurid period (late 14^th-early 15^th/late 8^th-early 9^th c. AH).