# Eagle of Kayan

The Eagle of Kayan, also known as the Kayan Eagle, was an architectural structure situated in the Kayan Valley of northern Baghlan Province, Afghanistan. Constructed in the early 1990s, this structure became a landmark, symbolizing cultural strength and architectural ingenuity. The Eagle of Kayan was officially inaugurated on December 10, 1996, in a grand ceremony attended by political and cultural figures from across Afghanistan.
The project was the idea of Sayed Mansur Naderi, a spiritual and political leader who supported the project in all terms.
The eagle has symbolic significance in the history of Ismaili Muslims globally. The Alamut Castle in Iran, historically a stronghold of the Ismaili forces, was often referred to as the "Eagle's Nest." Similarly, Kayan Valley has been referred to as the "Second Eagle's Nest" due to its role as a center for Ismaili political and military activities during the 1980s and 1990s.

## Design and construction

The Eagle of Kayan was designed by the engineer Aseemuddin Adel. Its exterior was constructed primarily from iron and steel, fashioned to resemble a giant eagle in flight. Inside, the structure functioned as a luxurious assembly hall, accommodating 10 to 12 guests. The interior was crafted to host political and cultural gatherings, reflecting the community of the Kayan Valley during the 1990s.
The Kayan Valley, often compared to Alamut in Iran due to its similar topographical features, is sometimes referred to as the "second eagle's nest." The valley was known for its functioning schools, universities, cultural centers, factories, and libraries, making it a unique and thriving region in Afghanistan during a period of widespread conflict.
Visitors to the Eagle of Kayan could reach the structure via several routes including a stairway with over 1,000 steps led from the bottom of the hill to the Eagle, offering a scenic and physically engaging climb. An electric railway cabin for VIP guests, a small electric railway cabin was available, providing a convenient ascent to the top of the hill. And also, there was a road for vehicles to drive up to the hilltop.

## Destruction

In early September 1998, the Taliban took control of northern Afghanistan, including the Kayan Valley. Shortly after their takeover, the Taliban destroyed the Eagle of Kayan using explosives. This act of destruction was part of a broader campaign by the Taliban against cultural and historical monuments, similar to their later demolition of the Bamyan Buddhas. The motive behind the Taliban's move to destroy Kayan's Eagle statue was described to be historically religious issues between the Shia Ismailis and the Hanafi Sunnis. Ismailis, being a very minority religious group in Afghanistan have been discriminated due to their belief. Following the Taliban's takeover of Kayan Valley in 1998, dozens of Ismaili members were massacred and tens of thousand of them fled for their lives to the neighboring Pakistan and Iran countries.

## Legacy and geography

The Kayan Valley is located about 30 kilometers west of the Doshi district in northern Baghlan Province. The majority of the valley's residents belong to the Sadat and Hazara tribes, and the community is notable for its rich cultural heritage within the Ismaili sect of Islam.