the Nawbahar

Nawbahar is a great building in Balkh. It was ruined by Ata ibn al-Sa'ib, client of Banu al-Layth, in the campaign of Qays ibn al-Haytham against Balkh, when its people broke their covenant, according to the book Futuh al-Buldan. ¹

Al-Mas'udi mentions that Manushihr built it in the name of the moon. Whoever held its guardianship was honoured by the kings of that region, money was brought to it, and it had endowments (awqaf). The man appointed to its guardianship was called al-Barmak, and the Barmakids were named after him, because Khalid ibn Barmak was of the lineage of those who had been in charge of this house. Its building was tall, with spears set on its top, bearing green silk cloths. ²

Ibn Fadl Allah al-Umari relates that an inscription in Persian was written on its gate about the need of royal doors for reason, patience and wealth. When the Muslims took Balkh, a reply in Arabic was written beneath it. ³