A Study of the Historical Background of the Kalyon Fortress

The Kalyon Fortress, located in the Ab Kamari district of Badghis province, is one of the country's historical monuments, featuring buildings and structures with unique architecture that represent a period of prosperity in the country's history. To date, no scientific research has been conducted on this fortress by academic institutions, nor have any archaeological excavations taken place at the site. Therefore, the study of the historical background of the fortress is of great importance and will help preserve it from being forgotten. The issues raised in this study concern the philosophy of naming, construction materials, and architectural style of the fortress, as well as how it compares to other historical fortresses. Based on these questions, an effort will be made to thoroughly examine the available sources about the fortress using a descriptive-analytical method and, if possible, determine the age of the fortress. The findings of the study, based on existing sources, indicate that the Hephthalites established their state in Tokharistan in 420 or 425 AD, and over time, after expelling the Sassanids, they expanded their borders to the northwestern limits. Since Badghis was a strategically important region for them, it became a major base, and over time, some Hephthalite tribes, having migrated from Badghis to other regions of the country, established local states following the collapse of the Hephthalite Empire. The Hephthalites ruled the country for two centuries, and during this period, to protect their bases, they constructed stone and adobe fortresses on hills in the areas they controlled. The Kalyon Fortress is one of the fortresses built by them. Since the most powerful tribe among the Hephthalites was the Zabuli, the creation of the Hephthalite state also took place with their participation, and the founder of the Kalyon Fortress was Sam Nariman, the father of Zal and the grandfather of Rustam Zabuli. For this reason, the fortress is also known as Nariman's Fortress in popular sources. In later periods, after Sam Nariman, as the people of this fortress were known as "Ge Lai," "Ge Loi," and "Gilo," the fortress was named after these people. Over time, with the transformation of "G" into "K" and "Y" into "A," the name "Gilo" changed to "Kalo," and eventually to "Kalon" and "Kalyon."