摘要: Statements of authenticity and/or integrity　　As outlined above, Bagh-e Babur reflects four main periods of use over 500 years: the late Timurid tradition, the Mughal tradtion, with at least three buil

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

　　As outlined above, Bagh-e Babur reflects four main periods of use over 500 years: the late Timurid tradition, the Mughal tradtion, with at least three building phases (Babur, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan), the late 19th century (Amir Abdur Rahman), and the early 20th century (Nadir Shah).

　　The changes imposed upon the gardens' appearance during the later two periods, in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, are related to structure, built architecture, and, in cases, to the visual concept. The central axis as an important scheme of the layout was maintained. These different '1aces" of the garden reflect not only changes in taste and technology, but also in function -aspects which are directly related to how the rulers want to present themselves. These later phases also have their imminent historical value. However, since Nadir Shah removed most of Amir Abdur Rahman's structures that had a negative impact upon the original scheme, in particular the vista and airy atmosphere of the tomb platform, the decision of AKTC and its Afghan counterparts to restore the 16th century Mughal garden while preserving and partly restoring the surviving buildings of Amir Abdur Rahman and of Nadir Shah was a logical step, coherent with the need for authenticity on one hand and integrity on the other. The rehabilitation project was based on the most detailed information ever collected in a landscape garden. Its history came to light during 13 seasons of carefully documented archaeological excavation which unearthed cultural remains from the 3^rd century BC onwards, and which was complemented by the study of historical documents as well as drawings and photographs from the 19^th and 20^th century. Further evidence was gathered from miniature paintings which illustrate gardens from various periods, and through comparative studies. The interpretation of the data and the reconstruction of the garden benefited from the canonized formal repertoire of Persian gardens.

　　Landscape and water works:

　　The landscape, predominantly defined through the terraces and the central axes, still represents the original layout. The height and width of the terrace was determined during the excavations through the discovery of the Mughal irrigation system, traces of the water basins and channels in the central axis and on the lateral fields. 19'h and 20'h century modifications were recorded and removed (partly already during the 20^th century). The reconstruction of the central axis with a marble-lined water channel, cascades and basins with fountains is based upon the archaeological findings, although slight modifications of the width of the water channel were required in order to control the water flow.

　　Plants:

　　There are a number of records for the study of horticulture in Persian, Timurid, and Mughal gardens, mostly contemporary written documents and miniature paintings. In case of Bagh-e Babur, this is primarily the autobiography of the king, in which he explicitly names the plants, books on botany, and miniature paintings. Paleo-botanic studies were not conducted since they would not provide reliable results: the layers of use and irrigation are thin, disturbed by later installations, and thus liable to inclusions of recent pollen. It can be assumed that the original garden with a mixture of fruit and other trees and bushes, herbs, and flowers, soon became more formal. Certainly, the "European" garden of Nadir Shah showed a very different plantation profile than the original garden. For this reason, all efforts were made to stick to indigenous plants for the replantation program which was implemented by AKTC.

　　Buildings:

　　The most ancient buildings in the garden, excluding structures which pre-date the garden, date to the time of Babur himself. They are confined, however, to his tomb and small parts of the irrigation system uncovered during the excavations near and under the mosque. According to his autobiography, Babur wanted to be buried in a simple earthen tomb and we have to assume that his widow obliged to this wish. His successors, especially Jahangir, ruler over a consolidated Mughal empire, felt obliged to adorn the resting place of their forefather during their pilgrimages and visits to Kabul. Jahangir describes his building programs in the garden in his memoirs: among others a platform and marble jali around the tomb, a headstone and a perimeter wall for the garden. The most tangible mark on the garden was left by Shah Jahan. He built the mosque and re-installed the irrigation systems and water works. According to his memoirs, he also built a gateway on the western, lowermost terrace, where the visitors enter the garden and looked towards the mosque and tomb along the central axis and the water channel.

　　Shah Jahan·s garden survived, although in ruins, until the 19'h century when Amir Abdur Rahman thoroughly changed the landscaping through the addition of buildings and a new water system. Most intrusive were the haramseray in the southeast and the pavilion, probably built on top of a destroyed Mughal pavilion or platform in the central axis, an enclosure wall around the tomb with a staircase towards the mosque and a chain of buildings with cupolas along the western edge of the tomb terrace, which segregate the mosque and particularly the tomb from the lower terraces -and from the view.

　　Most of his smaller buildings were turned down already in the early 20'h century by Nadir Shah, who restored the airy character of the upper terraces. The only buildings which survived are the pavilion and the haramseray, although in ruins. They have their own cultural and historical value and have been restored.

　　During the second half of the 20'h century, a public swimming pool, a greenhouse and maintenance buildings were added to the garden. In the frame of the rehabilitation program, AKTC relocated them to more convenient locations.

　　With reference to particular features we can summarize:

1. The layout of the garden and the water works with channels, basins and cascades represent the original scheme.
2. The tomb terrace: various phases of modifications took place. The marble platform (17 x 17 m) with a jali screen mentioned by Jahangir is attested through excavations and finds, and visible on a photograph taken in 1879 by Burke. A marble enclosure around the tomb has been reconstructed based on the evidence from an image dated to 1838 (Masson) and marbles scattered through the garden. The buildings constructed under Amir Abdur Rahman were removed by Nadir Shah, but are known from photographs and were exposed during the excavations. The enclosure wall built by him around the tomb platform has been reconstructed. In the frame of the rehabilitation project, the level of the tomb terrace was readjusted to its previous landscape and the shelter constructed by Nadir Shah to protect the tomb was removed.
3. Shah Jahans mosque, built in the 12^th year of his reign (1638 CE), was disassembled and restored in the mid-20^th century, but was rebuilt to a large extent with original marbles. It underwent restoration and conservation in the frame of the AKTC project. Its present appearance corresponds to the original one.
4. Shah Jahan's gateway: this building is described in his memoirs as a building with a golden cupola, located at the entrance on the lowermost western terrace. Demolished and overbuilt probably in the 19'h century, traces of this gateway came to light in 2004. Subsequent excavations unearthed the foundations of this building and facilitated its graphic reconstruction. Its foundations are preserved and incorporated in the present entrance area. Around them a visitor centre has been built on the footprint of a pre-gateway caravanseray.
5. The perimeter wall of the garden was probably first built, or rebuilt, by Jahangir. Made of mud (paksha), it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Although its particular date is not known, the recent restoration maintains the outline and shape as indicated by surviving older portions. Close counterparts are found in Mughal miniature paintings.

　　The rehabilitation of the garden has restored the appearance of the Mughal garden from the times of Jahangir and Shah Jahan, while preserving important later additions, in particular the pavilion and haramseray built by Amir Abdur Rahman.

　　Integrity

　　As described above, main features of an Islamic garden -and thus measures of its integrity are the geometric layout, the vista, the architecture, and the plantation.

　　Despite the damage inflicted upon the structures after the late 17th century and the resulting changes of some aspects, the integrity of the cultural landscape -as a testimony of its time from the 16th to the 20th century -is preserved. A major feature is the visual connection of the upper and the lower portion along the central axes -in both directions. The rehabilitation program has restored and preserved this concept.

　　The removal of buildings dating to the last five decades, such as the swimming pool and maintenance buildings, has much improved the integrity and restored the original character of the garden.

　　The rapid growth of the vegetation, comprising of historically attested plants, contributes to this appearance, consolidates the soil and thus prevents erosion, and serves as an air filter.

　　The water supply system as a conditio sine qua non for the functioning of the garden has been improved and secured through the multiplication of sources and modern technological equipment (as well as through social works with the local community, who benefits from the water supply).

　　Although there have not been major intrusions by new construction in the immediate environment of the garden, which is protected by the MoU signed between the Afghan Government and AKTC, it is vital that any effort is made to maintain the present low-rise character out of respect for the vista, for example through the implementation of a wider buffer zone.

　　Administrative measures have been taken by the Government of Afghanistan, Kabul Municipality and Aga Akhan Development Network (here after called AKDN) to ensure the success of this program. With the completion of the bulk of the physical rehabilitation and conservation works, the Kabul Municipality, the Ministry of Information & Culture and AKDN have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2008 in which it is agreed that Bagh-e Babur should retain its status as an indivisible green space and historic monument in its entirety (Zones 1 to 6), within which the provisions of the 2004 Law on the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage shall apply, and be taken into account in its operation as a public recreational facility within parameters laid down in this document. This law states inter alia that "any modification of the structure of a registered monument of historic value is prohibited..."

　　The MoU states, that "Baghe Babur should retain its status as an indivisible green space and historic monument in its entirety (Zones 1 to 6), within which the provisions of the 2004 Law on the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage shall apply, and be taken into account in its operation as a public recreational facility within parameters laid down in this document. ". It is therefore clear that the term "Bagh-e Babur", as an indication for the protected area, refers not only to the area enclosed by the perimeter wall plus the new public swimming pool, but includes five further zones (of nearly 11,000 m2) outside the perimeter wall.

　　The MoU also regulates the management of the site. The Bagh-e Babur Trust (BBT) has been registered as a non-governmental organization with the Ministry of the Economy in Kabul. The goal of the independent, not-for-profit entity is "to safeguard and ensure effective operation and management of the garden and the surrounding area to appropriate international standards, and in accordance with the relevant laws of the Islamic State of Afghanistan". The Board of the Bagh-e Babur Trust' (The Board) "consists of representatives from Kabul Municipality, the Ministry of Culture & Youth and AKDN as further described in section B 2(a) herein, who shall provide strategic and policy oversight for the management of Bagh-e Babur, by meeting on a regular basis in Kabul". Apart from oversight and control of the annual budget and business plan, the Board endorses proposed operational policies and appraises the performance of the Garden Management Team.

　　The Garden Management Team (GMT) is responsible for the management and operation of the garden under provisions of the MoU. With guidance provided by the Board, the routine management of the garden as a public facility is the responsibility of the GMT, operating under the overall supervision of a Garden Manager who has the responsibility for day-to-day visitor management, operations, financial control and maintenance.

　　The GMT operates under operational guidelines which govern obligations and requirements related to cleanliness, safety and privacy, but also rule and regulate events to take place in the garden, buildings, activities in- AND outside the perimeter wall, maintenance, and ensures integrity and authenticity (horticulture, lighting).

　　With the completion of the rehabilitation in 2006 and the implementation of the institutional management plan within the framework of the MoU in 2008, Bagh-e Babur is the only carefully managed public space in Kabul that offers recreational facilities to the citizens. In 2008, 300.000 people visited the garden and this number will be higher in 2009. In addition, several cultural events are organized in the premises. These numbers have to be maintained. They make amply clear that 1. the garden is a highly integral part of the cultural and social life and 2. that the demand for such a facility is immense. The success of the garden as a public space is dependant on a management that secures -apart from the necessary maintenance of the plants and buildings -cleanliness, safety and privacy.