KABUL (SW): Baba Kabir has been gardening the lands around the epic Darul Aman Palace in Kabul for decades now.
Talking to Salam Watandar, he said that the land upon which the majestic palace was constructed belonged to his father and was sold to the then King Amanullah Khan.
He said that the King bought the land from his father to build the palace on. The Afghan King also allowed Kabir’s parents not to move from the area.
He recalled that his job at the Palace was to babysit the King’s children whom he treated like his own children. Baba Kabir has a lot of memories of the Kings’ children as well as luxury and warm hospitalities of the Queen for guests.
He recounted that he fell ill when the Khan’s monarchy collapsed. “I had to spend several years in bed, and at one point decided to put an end to my life”, he said.
Daraul Aman Palace was badly damaged during the civil wars in Afghanistan. The only things now left are the bullet-riddled pillars, damaged roofs and windows.
Baba Kabir has kept the areas around the palace green, which has given the Palace a paradoxical view.
In the abandoned palace, Baba Kabir has implanted flowers and is paid afn 5,000 for this by the Kabul Municipality.
He said even if he did not receive this amount of payment, he would still continue to work passionately to keep the garden around the Palace green.
Vital to note, the map for the Darul Aman Palace was designed by German engineers and it took Afghan engineers two years to build it.
One of Baba Kabir’s wishes is to see the palace reconstructed and walk in the gardens around it and enjoy the greenery of what he has planted.
ENDS
