Bala Hissar

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Bala Hissar is an ancient fortress located in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. The estimated date of construction is around the 5th Century B.C.

Bala Hissar was the site of some of the bloodiest fighting in Afghanistan during the 19th Century when Afghanistan came into conflict with the invading British during the First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-1842) and Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880). During the Second Anglo-Afghan War it saw damage when the British Residency was burned down, then later when the armoury exploded. General Frederick Roberts had wanted to level the fortress completely, but in the end it was strengthened and fortified in the Spring of 1880, a few months before the British left Afghanistan.

Bala Hissar once again became the focal point of conflict between factions during the Afghan civil war era in the early 1990s between Massoud's and Heekmatyar's forces.

Today, one can see the remnants of tanks and heavy weapons positioned on the fortress remains overlooking Kabul.