Istana Darul Aman, Saksi Perang di Afghanistan

Ironi adalah saat nama dan kenyataan bertentangan. "Darul Aman" artinya "tempat tinggal yang damai," namun Istana Darul Aman justru menjadi saksi konflik tiada henti yang terus terjadi di Afghanistan.

It's irony when the name and reality is far way different. "Darul Aman" means "peaceful place to live," but the Darul Aman Palace became a witness of endless conflict that continues to happen in Afghanistan. 

You can see the neo classic european style on its pillars and window

Dibangun di tahun 1920 oleh Raja Amanullah Khan, Istana Darul Aman mengadopsi gaya neo klasik eropa. Bangunan yang terletak sekitar 16 kilometer dari kota Kabul, Afghanistan ini adalah bagian dari cita cita Raja Amanullah Khan, atau yang juga disebut Amannallahan untuk memodernisasi Afghanistan dimana Istana ini seharusnya menjadi pusat parlemen yang direncanakan oleh Raja Amanullah Khan.

Built in the 1920s by King Amanullah Khan, Darul Aman Palace adopt neo-classical European style. Located about 16 kilometers from the city of Kabul, Darul Aman Palace is a part of King Amanullah Khan's dream to modernize Afghanistan. The palace is supposed to be the center of the planned parliament by King Amanullah Khan whom also called Amanallahan. 

The view from the Palace

Namun kekuasaan Amanullah Khan tidak bertahan lama, pihak konservatif Afghanistan menggulingkan Amanullah dari kekuasaannya dan tidak lama berselang Istana Darul Aman terbakar di tahun 1969. Upaya rekonstruksi dilakukan di tahun 1970 namun di masa pendudukan komunis Istana Darul Aman kembali dilahap api.

But the power of Amanullah Khan didn't last long, Afghanistan conservatives overthrew Amanullah from power and not long after Darul Aman Palace burned in 1969. Reconstruction efforts carried out in 1970 but during the communist occupation, Darul Aman palace caught on fire again.

Darul Aman Palace is badly damaged now

Its in the end of winter days so I still have to wear warm jacket

Kerusakan bangunan ini kembali meluas saat gempuran Mujahiddin di tahun 1990 dalam upaya merebut Kota Kabul, dan di tahun 2012 oleh serangan Taliban. 

The damage widespread when the onslaught of Mujahideen happened in 1990 in an effort to seize Kabul City, and also again in 2012 by Taliban attacks.

Kini, Istana Darul Aman luluh lantak. Yang tersisa adalah bangunan yang terlihat rusak hampir di seluruh sisi. Namun bentuk utama bangunan yang bergaya klasik eropa ini masih terlihat. Lengkungan dan pilar pilar masih bertahan meski rentetan lubang serangan peluru memenuhi dinding dinding bangunan.

 
Now, Darul Aman Palace was badly destroyed. What remains is a building which looks damaged in almost every side. However, the main form of classical European-style buildings are still visible. Arches and pillars still survived even though you can see bullets holes covered the walls.

Bullets hole are everywhere in this building

Di bagian dalam pun tangga menuju ke lantai atas sudah tidak dapat diakses, sebagian lantai atas bangunan runtuh dan sudah tidak stabil. Meski tidak berfungsi lagi, tentara Afghanistan masih terus menjaga lokasi ini agar tidak menjadi tempat persembunyian Taliban. 

Inside the building, the staircase leading to the upper floor isn't accessible anymore, some floors of the building collapsed and isn't stable. Although Darul Aman Palace isn't functional anymore, the Afghan army continues to guard this location to prevent this location from being a Taliban hideout. 

They are actually nice

Istana Darul Aman kini jadi bukti sejarah perang dan konflik menahun yang terus terjadi di Afghanistan, entah hingga kapan.

Now Darul Aman Palace became historical evidence of  last long chronic wars and conflicts in Afghanistan, and who knows when it's gonna be over.

@marischkaprue - her abode of peace is everywhere in this earth, everywhere she goes during her trip.

 See the video from Darul Aman Palace here:

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