Legends, history of Bampour Castle in Iranshahr
Bampour Castle in Iranshahr is one of the most significant fortifications in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Perched atop a manmade hill, it was originally constructed as a military base, strategically positioned to defend against enemy attacks. The castle’s history is believed to date back to the Sassanid dynasty, supported by the existence of similar structures such as Qaleh Dokhtar in Kerman Province and Qaleh Bam, which belong to the same era. In 1960, an English archaeologist excavated parts of Bampour Castle, uncovering artifacts from the prehistoric period.
Beyond historical documents, the castle’s legacy is also woven into local legends. According to these tales, the name Bampour is linked to the word Bahman, which gradually evolved into Bamanpour.
Constructed from cob bricks and clay, Bampour Castle features cylindrical towers on its western and eastern walls. Of the original four guard towers, only two remain, each standing approximately two meters tall. A well is located within the castle, which is situated on a manmade hill rising to about eighty meters.
The castle is divided into three sections: the lower, middle, and upper areas. The lower section includes the main walls, entrance and exit doorways, and protective towers. The middle section houses residential chambers, while the upper section was reserved for generals.
In the upper section, a deep well can be found, which once featured a cobblestone path providing an escape route during sieges. Although this path has since been filled with sand and soil, the well itself remains visible.
War cannons were positioned in the largest tower of Bampour Castle, and a series of rooms can be found on the southern side of the courtyard. Additionally, the castle’s citadel contains a row of windowed rooms.