The Minaret of Jam is the second tallest minaret in the world and was the first Afghan monument to be admitted to the World Heritage list in 2002. Rediscovered in 1957, the 65-metre minaret is located in a remote valley on the banks of the Hari Rud River. The inspiration behind the famous Qutob Minar in Delhi, the Jam Minaret was constructed in the 1190s during the reign of Ghiyasuddin Ghori (1157-1202) and is of considerable importance to the history of Islamic civilisation and architecture, although its purpose is unknown. Inscriptions in blue tile and relief work on the first tier bricks are in need of preservation and another retaining wall is needed to protect it from the river, which is eroding the base. On the hillside around the monument lie the looted remains of buildings.