Hulbuk
Hulbuk Fortress · Qalai Hulbuk · Hulbuk Palace · Hulbik
Samanid 9th c → Ghaznavid–Karakhanid 10th–12th c·Banijurid–Ghaznavid Islamic (Khatlon)·🇹🇯 Khatlon Province, Vose District, Hulbuk village (Kurbonshahid) 26 km west of Kulob on Yakhsu River plain 200 km south Dushanbe, Tajikistan
About
About Hulbuk
Hulbuk (Qalai Hulbuk) — Islamic palace-fortress (9th–12th c CE) 26 km west Kulob, Khatlon Yakhsu plain, excavated 1953–2010s Yakubov and Akhunov (Tajik Academy). Hulbuk was capital of Khatlon (Khuttal) under Banijurids and Ghaznavids per Hudud al-Alam. 150×400 m citadel with 15-m high mudbrick walls, iwans, stucco ornament (geometric and vegetal), Hum–Hulbuk frescoes, and nine palaces stratigraphy. Painted stucco with Kufic inscription. Destroyed by Mongols 1221 and rebuilt Timurid.
Why it mattersOnly Banijurid–Ghaznavid capital palace-fortress of Khatlon — stucco type-site with Kufic and frescoes
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Nine palaces sequence — rival emirs or rebuild?
Theories
- 01Hulbuk as Tokharistan–Khatlon state formation
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.9th c CE Banijurid capital; apogee 10th–12th c Ghaznavid
- Period
- Samanid 9th c → Ghaznavid–Karakhanid 10th–12th c
- Culture
- Banijurid–Ghaznavid Islamic (Khatlon)
- Builders
- Banijurid and Ghaznavid palace artisans
- Purpose
- Capital-fortress of Khatlon (Khuttal) controlling Yakhsu–Kulob plain and Tokharistan route
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
9th c CE
Banijurid capital Hulbuk founded
11th c
Ghaznavid Ghazna palace with stucco and frescoes
1953–2010
Yakubov excavations reveal Banijurid stucco
On the ground
Structures & features
37.8120° N · 69.6230° E · 750 m · 2 mapped features
Citadel Palace with Iwan and Stucco Hall
palace50×30 m palace with iwan and carved stucco hall centre
37.8130° N · 69.6222° ESouthern Outer Wall with Kufic Gate
wall15-m high outer wall with Kufic-inscribed gate south
37.8105° N · 69.6241° E
Gallery