Queen Gawhar Shad, daughter-in-law of Mughal Emperor Timor Lang, created a university complex of minarets and buildings. Only her tomb, on left, and five minarets are left. The Minarets stand as a beautiful example of the unique heritage of Herat. Herat people are more conservative, but at the same time, once it was a learning center for art and philosophy. The Chishtia branch of Sufism (i.e. Khwaja Moinudding Chishti of Ajmir in India) originated not far from Herat, and you can see the challenge of a city walking a tightrope between preserving ancient heritage, and rebuilding after a long war.
The Iranian government built a road through the Minarets, essentially making them more vulnerable, as the vibration of the trucks are creating havoc to the foundation.
If you look carefully, you'll see the remains of the beautiful blue tiles that adorned these minarets, not much of it is left there.
Finally, a picture of the five minarets together. Because of new constructions, the minarets are now harder to spot in the city landscape.
