Language

Don't you have an account with Pajhwok Afghan News?

Click here to subscribe.

author avatar
31 May 2016 - 16:45
author avatar
31 May 2016 - 16:45

President Dr Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the renovation project of the Darulaman Palace on Monday and also held a symbolic meeting of High Commission of Urban Development there with the intention to “complete the uncompleted chapter of our history.”  While many Afghans on social media welcomed this decision, as they would want to get rid of harrowing memories of bloody war.  In past as well some efforts were made to renovate the palace. In 2005 itself, a group of Afghans had tried to raise fund for renovation of the Palace, but there was little success, perhaps considering the huge cost that might be required.

There are still others who feel that the ruin of the palace that literally means ‘Adobe of Peace’ should be kept in ruins as grim reminder to Afghans that might dissuade them from going back to the same path of destruction and backwardness.

The Darulaman Palace was built during King Amanullah Khan’s period by German architects and engineers over a small hilltop in the western part of Kabul that sadly could not materialise. The palace hence could not serve its purpose and instead housed government offices and ministries. It was set on fire in 1969 and 1978 causing significant damages on both occasions but was reconstructed. However, severally damaged during the civil wars (1992-1996) when thousands of bombs, shells and bullets were fired at it from all sides which the Palace could never recover from it.

With the fall of Taliban in 2001, thousands of new construction projects began and hundreds of new sky scrapers are still coming up. This has largely faded away the memories of war as most bullet ridden homes and offices have been renovated, out of necessity. Today in the heart of the city, you rarely find buildings with bullet marks of 1990s. The ruins of the old palace, on the other hand, stand amidst fading memories. While it has been announced during yesterday’s  inauguration ceremony for renovation to turn the Palace into a museum, the government should make sure to renovate the palace and turn it to a museum in a way that could pass the stories of war and suffering of people to next generations.

Afghanistan’s is one of the youngest countries in the world until 2001 and I rarely remember anything about civil war.  Also history books of Afghanistan had been always politicized giving little opportunity for Afghans to understand their country better through its history.

Darulaman Palace is witness to thousands of stories. In my opinion, it is the moral responsibility of the government and citizens to conserve the palace and its history and transfer it to the next generations. It is not simply a ruined structure, but it’s our history. It has turned into a spiritual body, a living memory to narrate the stories to generations of Afghans. As we walk inside the palace, it’s each wall, its each brick cries loudly. It is one of the most expressive places in whole of Kabul and bears witness to sprinkled messages by groups involved in civil war, as well as those of peace and amity and also gives succour to frustrated youth who express their angst on its deserted walls; some have written love messages and some have painted their dreams for peace.

Though Darulaman Palace can’t speak but the music is on in the palace forever. You hear a strange kind of music of pain walking inside as different walls take you back and forth into history. Your heart gets heavy as you read the graffiti on the walls, with holes all around made by bullets and bombs. Once inside the Palace, as if you hear each brick singing together, reminding the generations to come: War Brings Destruction, No War Is a Good War.

This is the exact message that must not be lost, that must be transferred to generations of Afghans; they should listen to the same song, feel the same pain every time they cross it. It should hence be declared as a National Memory of War, and care should be taken to preserve it, but as it is – in the ruins.

While the old palace is the reminder of a lost opportunity, and is a relic of shattered dreams and aspirations for a modern, developed Afghanistan; the new parliament building located on the other side of the road – a pleasant gift from our friends in India – on the other hand, gives a glimpse of hope and reminds us of one more opportunity that destiny has bestowed upon us. Hope is what keeps Afghanistan going and it will only succeed if we all remember our mistakes.

After a long time, we have a visionary President Dr Ghani, who is trying to change the debate in our society once again like Amanullah Khan. After Queen Soraya, it is the current First Lady, Rula Ghani, who not only comes out in public often, but in her own capacity is taking many steps for social developments. In fact, only few days back a photograph of the President sitting, while the First Lady confidently standing behind him was circulating on social media.

President Ashraf Ghani realizes the importance of this Palace and has hence ordered for its renovation. He has said that it will also serve purpose of museum “So our School Children could come and see it”.

I believe it will be a history in making if the Palace is turned to a museum; but to transfer the history to next generations, parts of the old palace building should be preserved as it is, in ruins rather than renovating it, as grim reminder to Afghans lest they go back to the same path again.

If renovation is still completed, at least the palace should be filmed in its current condition and played in the theatre of the museum to be made for everyone to see.

 

 

Visits: 3

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect Pajhwok's editorial policy.

Author's brief introduction

GET IN TOUCH

SUGGEST A STORY

Pajhwok is interested in your story suggestions. Please tell us your thoughts by clicking here.

PAJHWOK MOBILE APP

Download our mobile application to get the latest updates on your mobile phone. Read more