AMIR TAIMUR'S PRISON IN THE KHYBER PASS

Amir Taimur's Prison

History has amply highlighted the fact that the mountainous belt of the North West Frontier Province offered special attraction to the conquerors mainly for the reason of the existence of Passes through which the conquering armies from the west could reach the rich plains of Hindustan. The Aryans, Alexander the Great, the Huns, Mehmud of Ghazni (RA), — Shahabud Din Muhammad Ghori (RA), Gengez Khan, Amir Taimur, Zaheerud Din Babur, Nadir Shah Afshar and Ahmed Shah Abdali (RA) invaded India through these passes which included the Nawa Pass, the Khyber Pass, the Kurram, Tochi and Gomal Passes. Surprisingly, though the British did not come to India from the west, they accorded much importance to these mountains and passes. The perceived threat of Russian advances into Central Asia and beyond in 19th century was major cause of their concern and consequently these mountains and passes. All the rulers and races bear deep imprints on the Frontier. Even today, Turk, Mughal, Sikh and British forts and other monuments can be found in various parts of this province. One such unique and historical monument is the prison of Amir Taimur in the Khyber Pass. Once I visited Michni Post, overlooking Landi Khana and opposite to it saw a brown coloured old building. On inquiry, I was told that this was the jail (prison) of Amjr Taimur. I, however, could not visit the place at that time. It was on 9th May 1994 that I went to the historic building and had a chance to have a closer look and see its various portions.

Amir Taimur was one of the greatest conquerors of Central Asia. He invaded India in 1398 AD through the Khyber Pass. As usual, he met a tough resistance, which he overcame at a later stage. He constructed a prison on a steep cliff in the middle of the mountains the access to which is even difficult today. Escape of the prisoner or attacking the prison for release of the prisoners was rather a difficult proposition and any such attempt would have failed to materialise.

While looking at the building from the direction of Michni Post, it gives the perspective of an irregular triangle, the narrowest side is inclined towards the post through which one approaches the building via a broken wall. The enclosure has a squarish tunnel to the left, sliding towards the entry point. The tunnel can be reached through a small door. It is said that the condemned prisoners used to be thrown into a well at the end of the tunnel after being pushed from the top on a slide. The well could however not be seen by me. Possibly digging can lead to its exact location. The triangular enclosure is surrounded by a waIl about 15 feet high. The wall has fire slits constructed on top all around. From the farthest end of the tunnel one reaches a semicircular enclosure, which is at a higher level. It has two windows, catering for all round observation.

From the circular enclosure, one turns right and enters a square room, measuring about 35 feet x 18 feet. This room is on the highest rocky point, having a main gate at the opposite wall of the circular space. The room has built-in fire slits and a window in it. It must have been covered on top, but no traces of roof can be seen today.

The whole building has been constructed with stones and lime. The lime plastic in and around the building is well preserved with dark brown colour. Pieces of clay utensils can be seen scattered all around. These must have been used for water storage, etc. The ridge on which the prison has been constructed is surrounded by a dry nullah.

While facing Landi Khana and Torkham, one can see Kafirkot area to the left. There is a long wall on the skyline, built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The wall must be that of a fort in the Khyber. The Kafirkot Fort also had gallows in it. The Mughals, it seems, also followed their ancestor Amir Taimur in dealing with their opponents. Dr Abur Rehman of Archaeology Department, Peshawar University, showed keen interest in the details of Amir Taimur's prison.