Chil Zena
Chil Zena, meaning 'Forty Steps' in Persian, is an extraordinary rock-cut monument and mountain chamber carved directly into the sheer cliff face of Kaitul Rock on the western edge of Kandahar city. Commissioned in 1522 AD by Emperor Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, to commemorate his conquest of Kandahar, the site consists of forty steep stone steps hand-carved into the solid mountain leading to an arched chamber guarded by carved red sandstone lions. The interior chamber walls feature detailed Persian calligraphic inscriptions recording Babur's victories and conquests across Central Asia and India. Local Afghan elders, pilgrims, and night travelers report that Chil Zena is guarded by ancient mountain Djinn and spirits of imperial soldiers, reporting mysterious flickering lights inside the elevated cliff chamber at night, disembodied whispers in ancient Persian echoing down the mountain, and ghostly guardians standing atop the Forty Steps.