The Musallah was built by order of Queen Gawharshad in the 15th century and originally comprised a madrassa or place of learning and a musalla or place of worship. The British destroyed most of the original buildings during the 19th century to ensure a clear line of sight for their marksmen against the expected Russian attack, which never materialised. Only five of the original 12 minarets now stand and all of the remaining buildings are in need of repair. The Musallah is part of a major restoration project focusing on the major heritage sites in Herat. There is a voluntary donation bank account where people can donate money for the preservation of their heritage and a small per cent of local customs duty is also allocated for the preservation of the monuments. The Aga Khan Foundation has also promised US$5 million, essentially for the safeguarding of Afghanistan's traditional habitat, with particular focus on the rehabilitation of the historical centre of Herat.