ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the historical sites located alongside the ancient trade route of Wakhan – a branch of the famous 'Silk Road' – and the legends associated with them. The legends provide a detailed description about the ancient rulers of Wakhan, their beliefs, practices and lifestyle. The Qissa-yi Qahqaha is one of the most popular local legends concerning the fortresses and their rulers. The Namadgut and Yamchun fortresses survived the collapse of the Kushan Empire and continued to function during the Hephthalites and up until the Arab conquest. The Kushan built the castles and temples to facilitate the traffic of goods and peoples on the road, maintain security, collect taxes and promote Buddhism. The Buddhist monks built temples and meditation caves like the Vrang stupa and the Khandut temple with Buddha's statue. In fact, the Wakhan route was considered as a short and safe path by merchants and Buddhist monks travelling from China to India and vice versa.
