Geography
Afghanistan, approximately the size of Texas, is bordered on the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, on the extreme northeast by China, on the east and south by Pakistan, and by Iran on the west. The country is split east to west by the Hindu Kush mountain range, rising in the east to heights of 24,000 ft (7,315 m). With the exception of the southwest, most of the country is covered by high snow-capped mountains and is traversed by deep valleys
Government
In June 2002 a multiparty republic replaced an interim government that had been established in Dec. 2001, following the fall of the Islamic Taliban government.
History
Darius I and Alexander the Great were the first to use Afghanistan as the gateway to India. Islamic conquerors arrived in the 7th century, and Genghis Khan and Tamerlane followed in the 13th and 14th centuries.
In the 19th century, Afghanistan became a battleground in the rivalry between imperial Britain and czarist Russia for control of Central Asia. Three Anglo-Afghan wars (1839–1842, 1878–1880, and 1919) ended inconclusively. In 1893 Britain established an unofficial border, the Durand Line, separating Afghanistan from British India, and London granted full independence in 1919. Emir Amanullah founded an Afghan monarchy in 1926.
President: Hamid Karzai (2002)
Total area: 250,000 sq mi (647,500 sq km)
Population (2010est.): 29,121,286 (growth rate: 2.4%); birth rate: 38.11/1000; infant mortality rate: 151.5/1000; life expectancy: 44.6; density per sq mi: 128\
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Kabul, 2,206,300
Other large cities: Kandahar, 349,300; Mazar-i-Sharif, 246,900; Charikar, 202,600; Herat, 171,500
Monetary unit: Afghani
KABUL
The capital of war torn Afghanistan is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Kabul is situated on the Kabul River and is one of the highest capital cities (1800 m - above sea level) in the world. The history of Kabul dates back to the legendary times of epic Ramayana when Kubha is mentioned as the founder of the city. Lying at the crossroads Kabul was always victim of invasions and civil strife. During the reign of Kushanas the city must have been a place of importance since it led the way to their winter capital of Peshawar. In the vicinity of Kabul was the famous Begram, which had attained its prominence of being an important center of the eastern Hellenic Art. Kabul rose to importance when Mughal Emperor Babur made his capital and since then it inter-acted with various ruling dynasties. The recent history of Kabul is painful being subjected to incessant civil war and lately under the wrathful rule of clerics.
The Nation’s chief economic and cultural center, it has long been of strategic importance because of its proximity to the Khyber Pass. This city grew as an industrial center after 1940 and the main products of this city were textiles, processed food, chemicals and wood products, Tajiks are the predominant population group of Kabul and Pashtuns are an important minority. Kabul University, which is now partially opened, was founded in 1932 and during 70’s and 80’s it was the best known in the region for higher education.
Kabul was occupied by Soviet troops in 1979 and later it went through the toughest and most disastrous civil war of its history from 1992 to 1996. Taliban later ruled the city from 1996 to 2001 before the Northern Alliance took over the city as Taliban withdrew from Kabul after the American intervention in Oct 2001. Currently, Kabul is the capital of Transitional Government being led by Mr. Hamed Karzai.
The city of Kabul, which used to be a tourist attraction, has lost its charm during the last 24 years of its history. Infrastructures such as roads and traffic system, telephone and electricity system, water sanitation, renovation of buildings is in shambles and the need for reconstruction is very much needed to bring back the city to a better place for living. The major places of interest in Kabul are as follows:
KABUL BALA HISAR:
KABUL MUSEUM:
The Kabul Museum, which used to have one of the finest collections of antiquities in Asia, has had nearly three-quarters of its finest collections looted. It is still possible to see the remaining artifacts - those without any significant monetary value. Museum hours are erratic.
GARDENS OF BABUR:
ARG (Palace):
Amir Abdul Rahman (1880-1901) built this citadel to operate the Bala Hisar places. Within the Arg, there was Salam khana (hall of salutation) and the Dilkosha Palace (Heart Delight palace). Later it was used for presidential offices until it was left in ruin due to heavy bombardments.
The pleasant Gardens of Babur were once a cool retreat near the city walls. Moghul Emperor Babur laid out these gardens in 16th century and later Amir Abdul Rehman made few additions and later Emperor Shah Jehan built a mosque. Babur died in Agra in 1530 but he loved these gardens so much that he wished before his death to be buried in these gardens. His Afghan wife, Bibi Mobarka, who built his tomb in these gardens, fulfilled his wish. Recently these gardens were in ruin but now AKDN (Aga Khan Development Network) has taken the responsibility of its re-construction to return back to its past glory.
MAUSOLEUMS:
Kabul’s many colorful bazaars were the places to attract a large number of visitors for shopping and sightseeing. Among the most famous, which exists in today’s Kabul as well are Chicken Street, Shor Bazaar and Bazaar-e-Charchata.
MOSQUES:
Since Afghanistan is an intensely Muslim country and for centuries the Muslim rulers have ruled it, therefore, the rich Islamic heritage can be seen in architecture of many interesting mosques. The most famous ones in the center of the city are:
Masjid-e-Pule Kheshti, Masjid-e-Shahe Du Shamshira, Masjid-e-Sherpur (Blue Mosque), Masjid-e-Id Gah, Masjid-e-Syed Majnun Shah & Masjid-e-Wazir Akbar Khan.
HERAT
Herat was one of the largest cultural and Islamic centers in the Central Asia in 14th through 16th centuries. Herat is the third large city in Afghanistan with 150,000 population in 1992. It is located in the western part of Afghanistan bordered with Iran and custom port of Islam Quala connect the 02 countries; Afghanistan & Iran. Herat is the center of the same name of Herat Province.
Herat was once a small, provincial, relatively green, laze-about place that everyone seemed to like, an easygoing oasis after a lot of hassle and dry desert. In the 15th century, Herat was the Timurid center of art, poetry, miniature painting & music, blending Persian, Central Asian and Afghan cultures to create one of Central Asia’s cultural highlights.
From the first half of 15th century to the beginning of 16th century, Herat intensively grew by territorial size and population. Particularly, by the time of Ali Shir Nawahee, this city developed not only as capital, i.e., largest center of handicraft productions and trade, but also as outstanding artistic and cultural center of Central Asia. Similar to the city of Herat had not been neither in all Middle East region, nor in Central Asia.
The economy of Herat is based on agriculture, the planting of cotton, rice, and wheat. Home industries produce rugs, carpets, silk materials, fur jackets and products of camel hair. Herati rugs have a worldwide value. The economic and agricultural activities in Herat have concentrated in the valleys of Hari Rod River. Herat historically has a great historic and tourist value. The traditional buildings and mosques, which form the dominant architectural accent of city, have played a significant role to attract mass of population and tourists to this historic city, which is 645 km west of Kabul.
The tomb of Timur Shah, son of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who moved the capital from Kandahar to Kabul, was built in 1817. A charming landmark of the city is the mausoleum of Amir Abdul Rahman, one of the Afghanistan’s most rulers. It stands in Zarnegar Park, in the center of the city as a fine example of 19th century architecture remaining in Kabul. The imposing white-marbled, blue-domed mausoleum of Nadir Shah stands on the hill known as Tapa Marajan overlooking Kabul.
The places of interest in Herat are as follows:
MASJET-E-JAM:
The Friday Mosque or Masjet-e-Jam is Herat number one attraction and among the finest Islamic buildings in the world, certainly the finest in Afghanistan. “Masjet-e-Jam” is the largest building in this region and is known for its beautiful tile and mosaic decoration. Ghorid Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din originally laid out the form in which it stands today on the site of an earlier 10th century mosque in year 1200. The mosque is an exciting example of the artistic sophistication of the Ghorid. The various artworks in this mosque also provide the visitors an opportunity to compare the Ghorid and Timurid tiles work. The restoration work on this mosque started in 1943 as an effort to return it back to its past glory. Besides the artwork, other attractions in this mosque are the huge bronze cauldron, which used as a receptacle for Sherbet (a sweet drink) but now a day it is used for collection of donations, the unadorned tomb of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din, and a tall pillar in the garden that was erected to commemorates Afghanistan’s fallen soldiers.
THE CITADEL (Qala-i-Ikhtiyar-ud-din)
Built in its present form by Malik Fakhruddin in 1305 A.D., this citadel has a long & stormy history as conquerors like Genghis Khan and Tamerlane fought beneath its walls. This fort, originally built by Alexander the Great, suffered repeated attacks over the history but still dominated the landscape of Heart. Held by the Ghaznavids, the Seljuks, the Ghorids, the Mongols, the Timurids, the Safavids and others, the citadel is a reminder of the time of Kings, conquerors and great pageantry.
MOUSALLAH COMPLEX:
On a short walk from the city center are the remains of old madrassa built by the Queen Gaur Shad in 1417. The wife of Timurid ruler Shah Rukh, Gaur Shad was the daughter-in-law of Timur and a remarkable woman in her own right who kept the empire intact for many years. The Mousallah Complex has been described as the most beautiful example in color in architecture ever devised by man to the glory of his God and himself. Gaur Shad’s mausoleum still stands near the madrassa. There were 12 minarets in this complex but six of them were demolished by British troops in 1885 whereas earthquakes subsequently downed rest of the three in 1931 & 1951. The mausoleum of Gaur Shad still stands near the madrassa. This is a beautiful tomb with tile work and typical ribbed dome as of Tamerlane in Samarkand.
TOMB OF THE POET JAMI:
The other attraction in Herat is the tomb of famous 15th century Persian poet, Nur-ud-din Abdurrakhman Jami, who died in 1492. Jami was the greatest of the 15th century’s poets, a titan during a period characterized by supreme literary brilliance. His simple tomb sheltered by a spreading pistachio tree, lies in the garden of a mosque.
GAZAR GAH:
The shrine complex of Gazar Gah (1425) is about 5 km east of Heart. Here Shah Rukh built many buildings, which were lavishly decorated with brilliant tile work. The main attraction is the tomb of Khawaja Abdullah Ansar, a famous Sufi mystic & poet who dies in 11th century. Crouching in front of the shrine’s main portal, its nose resting lightly on its paws, there is a white marble statue of an animal, variously thought to be a lion or a dog. Next to him is the tomb of Amir Dost Mohammad, one of the former kings of Afghanistan. The other main attractions in Gazar Gah are Main iwan (main court), a fifteen-foot marble pillar depicting the artwork of Timurid period. A remarkable sarcophagus called Haft Qalam (seven pens) fashioned of black marble, Khana Zarnegar (Pavilion adorned with gold) and Hauze Zamzam (Sacred water pond) are the other attractions.
CHAHRSUQ:
Herat bazaars are full of fascination and colour. As in most large towns in Afghanistan, the four main bazaars of the old city come together at a central square called the Chahrsuq or Four Bazaars. This is the hub of the old city and in addition to the shops lining the streets there are several covered bazaars in the vicinity. Another monument of architectural interest situated within this bazaar is a large covered reservoir of 1634, which was used to distribute water in the city during the Safavid’s period.
CHISHT-I-SHARIF: Chisht-i-Sharif is some 177 km from Herat city. It is a scant but as you approach it across a plateau, you can see the 02 famous gumbad or domes of Chisht. The town with its meandering bazaar street sits in the ravine between these plateaus. Winding down & up, you will find an avenue of pine trees leading directly to 02 ruined buildings now standing in the middle of an extensive graveyard. Experts argue as to the purpose of these buildings. Some speak of them as mausoleums. Others see them as parts of a grand complex of buildings, a madrassa, perhaps with its mosque. The mutilated molded terracotta brick decoration can only speak softly their former magnificence. Stylistically, the decoration of these buildings falls into the category of Ghorid arch in the Masjet-e-Jami and the minaret of Jam, both of which bear the name of Ghiyas-ud-din Ghori (1157-1202).
BAMIYAN
Bamiyan is a province in Central Afghanistan with an area of about 6700 sq.m and a population of about 280,00 in 1992. A town of the same name is the administrative center of this province. Bamiyan is counted one of the poorest regions of Afghanistan because of its geographic location and its isolation from other regions.
The village of Bamiyan with its archeological remains is the most conspicuous site of Afghanistan. The village lies about 2500m above sea level and some 240 km west of Kabul. The exquisite beauty of this valley is embraced by the snow-capped Range of Koh-e-Baba Mountains in the south and in the north by the steep cliffs in which images of Buddhas were carved. The pastel colors of its surroundings give visitors an impression of the magnificence and serenity of nature.
The area of Bamiyan developed under Kanishka the Great to become a major commercial and religious center and smaller statue of Buddha (38 m high) was built during his reign. Two centuries later the colossal Buddha statue (55 m high) was curved. Thousands of ornamented caves, inhabited by yellow robed monks, extended into Folladi Pilgrims from the entire Buddhist world poured into Bamiyan to admire its spectacular and sacred sites.
The town was rules in 07th century by princess but was subject to the Western Turks. The rulers first accepted Islam in the 08th century. Bamiyan fell to Muslim conquerors when the Saffavid ruler captured Bamiyan in 871. After changing hands several times, Bamiyan was destroyed and its inhabitants exterminated in 1221 by the Genghis Khan. Since that time it has never regained its former glory. In 1840 Bamiyan was the scene of fighting in the First Anglo-Afghan War. A significant number of tourists from all around the world were visiting this site before the Civil War in Afghanistan. Besides the Buddha caves there are various other sites as well in this area including Shahr-e-Gholghola and Shahr-e-Zohak.
BOT-E-BAMIYAN (Buddhas Statue):
The 02 famous Buddha statues (36 m & 53 m high) dating from 03rd & 5th century were located in Bamiyan province. These statues were hewn into solid rock and overlaid with stucco, and although they have suffered from the ravages of time and destruction by man, some of the stucco works and wall paintings are still preserved. The walls of the 90m high cliffs are honeycombed with caves that used to serve as living quarters of Buddhist monks. The sculptures and paintings are “an eclectic hybrid mixing Indian, Central Asia,
Iranian, and classical European styles and ideas. The caves were of various forms and the interiors of many bear traces of fine fresco painting that links them with contemporary caves in Sinkiang, China.
These statues were first mentioned in 5th century A.D. when these statues were visited by Chinese traveler Hsuan-Tsang in 630 A.D. At that time Bamiyan was a center of commerce and the Buddhist religion. When Hsuan-Tsang saw these statues, they were decorated with gold and fine jewels. The 02 Buddha figures, together with numerous ancient man-made caves in the cliffs north of town, made Bamiyan a major Afghan archaeological site. Taliban officials destroyed these statues in 2001. Clerics interpreted Islamic law to mean that such artifacts were disrespectful to Allah, though the world (including the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia) begged them to reconsider. Now little remains of these shrines are left. The modern town of Bamiyan lies below the caves.
BANDE AMIR LAKES:
It is the unspoiled natural beauty of Afghanistan that forms the visitor’s first and most enduing impression of the country. But of the entire natural wonders of Afghanistan, the lakes of Bande Amir are perhaps the most outstanding. Situated in the mountainous Hazarajat at an altitude of approx 300m, 75 km from Bamiyan, these majestic blue lakes are of legendary beauty.
A series of five clear blue lakes is formed by the flow of water over a succession of natural dams, running from higher to the next one below. According to local tradition, the dams were the creation of Hazrat Ali (Caliph Ali), and the word “Amir” (King or Commander) refers to the Caliph, not to any Afghan ruler. Bande Amir is also the name of a river which rises in the Bande Amir lakes and runs through Yakowlang valley in a southwest direction until it turns northeast, at that point it is known as the Balkab, finally it turns north and dissipates in the Turkestan plains.
SHAHR-E-GHOLGOLA (Town of noise):
The cave town of Shahr-e-Gholgola is located in central part of Afghanistan. These are the ruins of a once prosperous city of 05th to 07th A.D., which was demolished by Genghis Khan during his invasion in Bamiyan Valley in 1221 A.D. The name is derived from Persian and means the “city of noise”. Others refer to it as “Silent city” or “Screaming city”. The Mongols themselves have called this city “Mao Balegh”, meaning the “Cursed city”. Infact when Genghis Khan brought the defenders of this town to their knees where upon he entered the citadel to fulfill a vow to kill everybody including man, woman, child, bird and animal in the valley. The scream that accompanied the final massacre gave the citadel the name by which it is known today.
SHAHR-E-ZOHAK (Red Town):
This is another cave town located just near to Shahr-e-Gholgola. This city is built on a steep spur just 15 km east of Bamiyan. These ruins are situated a top 350 ft cliffs of red colour overlooking the Valley of Tagao, Bamiyan. Due to these red colour cliffs, this city is known as “Red Town”. The ruins of this town represent the Buddhism era of 05th to 07th century A.D. This mass of impressive ruins was once the principal fortress protecting the entrance of the city of Bamiyan during the reign of the Shansabani King in 12-13th centuries A.D. Genghis Khan destroyed this town in 1221 A.D. as revenge to his wounded grandson.
BALKH
The town of Balkh, which is the same name of the province, has a very glorious past. It is located in northern Afghanistan close to Mazar-i-Sharif. It is claimed to be one of the world’s oldest cities and the legendary birthplace of the prophet Zoroaster. Alexander the Great reputedly founded a Greek colony here. The city later attained great wealth and importance as Bactria, capital of the independent kingdom of Bactria. In the early centuries A.D., Balkh, a prominent center of Buddhism, was renowned for its Buddhist monasteries and stupas.
The Arabs came in the 08th century and made it an important center and especially it became important in the world of Islam as the original home of the Barmakids. Under the Abbasids caliphate its fame as a center of learning earned Balkh the title “mother of cities”. By the 09th century, during the rule of the Samanid Dynasty, about 40 Friday mosques stood within the city.
Balkh is also known as the home of Rabia Balkhi, the first woman poet of Islam period and of Mauwlana Jalal-ud-din Balkhi (Rumi), perhaps the most distinguished Sufi poet. His Masnawi is considered as the greatest poem ever written in Persian language. Balkh’s glorious history closed in 1220 A.D. when the mounted men of Genghis Khan rode through and left in utterly devastated. The city, nevertheless, lying on an important trade route recovered under the enlightened rule of Shah Rukh and his Queen Gawhar Shad of Heart
In 1850, Balkh became part of the unified kingdom of Afghanistan. The old city is now mostly in ruins; the new city, some distance away, is an agricultural and commercial center, inhabited chiefly by Uzbeks. Excavations have uncovered objects of the early Muslim period.
MAZAR-I-SHARIF:
Mazar-i-Sharif means “The Noble Grave” is one of the most prestigious and religious cities in Afghanistan that is located in northern part of the country. Based on the historical facts and local suggestions; the tomb of Hazrat Ali (Caliph Ali), cousin and son-in-law of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is located in this city. Each year thousands of people come to this city to attend the New Year celebration of Nowroz and visit the grandiose Mosque of Roza Mubarik.
The main ethnic group of population of Mazar-i-Sharif is Uzbeks who form around 9% of Afghan population. It is the capital town of Balkh province and a major trading center famous for Karakul, a great variety of traditional Turkmen carpets and high quality, long staple cotton.
ROZA MUBARIK (Shrine of Hazrat Ali):
The magnificent shrine of Hazrat Ali is the main attraction in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, which also derive its name from the same shrine. The 04th Caliph of Islam, Hazart Ali was assassinated in 661 A.D. and buried at Kufa near Baghdad. Local tradition, however, relates that his flowers, fearing enemies may take revenge on the body, placed his remains on a white she-camel that wandered until she fell exhausted. On this spot the body was buried. All knowledge of the final resting place was lost until its existence was revealed and the great Seljuk Sultan Sanjar ordered a shrine built here in 1136 A.D. Genghis Khan destroyed this building and again the grave lay unmarked until a second revelation during the reign of Timurid Sultan Hussain Baiqara. He ordered an elaborate shrine constructed in 1481 A.D. None of the 15th century decoration remains but modern restoration has returned the building to its original beauty. This shrine is one of the famous Islamic architecture styles. Tow cupolas were constructed over the tomb by Sultan Ali Mirza of Timurids dynasty of Herat in early 15th century.
Roza Mubarik is visited by countless pilgrims throughout the year and particularly on Nawroz (21 March) when the great Janda (religious banner) is raised to announce the beginning of spring and the coming of the New Year, which is the most elaborately celebrated festival in Afghanistan.
NO-GONBAD MOSQUE (Mosque of Nine Cupolas):
This mosque is located 12 km south of small town of Balkh and was built in 09th century. The mosque is not large being only 10 sq.m. Nine cupolas originally covered it but the domes have fallen and the floor is now buried under more than a meter of rubble. This mosque is also known as Khoja Piada. Some researchers suggested that this mosque witnessed of transition to the new step of development of local constructed art, which neither had known in the West, nor in the East before. Based on the latest archaeological excavation, the ruins of this complex date back to 08th & 09th century.
TOP-I-RUSTAM & TAKHT-I-RUSTAM:
02 mounds standing by the south shoulder of the paved road to Balkh are the remains of the monastery and stupa described by Hsuan-Tsang. A 61m high stupa sat a top the eastern mound, today called Top-i-Rustam. The western mound is known as Takht-i-Rustam and was covered by a convent housing several sacred relics of the Buddha. They have long been abandoned forever by the time. Now a days villager takes bricks from these mounds for their own buildings. There are more than hundred Buddhist monasteries in Balkh town.
KANDAHAR
Kandahar, the birthplace and first capital of modern Afghanistan, founded by Ahmed Shah Durrani in 1747, is today the second largest city of Afghanistan located on the Asian Highway halfway between Kabul & Heart. The area is rich in ancient history. Here Alexander the Great founded Alexandria of Arachosia and the region was repeatedly fought over by the Saffavids and Moghuls. It was independent minded Afghan of Kandahar, first under the leadership of Mir Wais and then of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who hastened the decline of both empires and annexed much of their territories to the young Afghan Kingdom in 18th century.
The city of Kandahar is also the capital of Kandahar province and has population of about 250,000. Kandahar is a market for sheep, wool, cotton, food grains, fresh & dried fruit, and tobacco. It has an international airport and is linked by road with Kabul, Herat
Quetta and the Central Asian republics. Woolen cloth, felt, and silk are manufactured. The surrounding irrigated region produces fine fruits, especially grapes, and the city has plant for canning, drying and packing fruits. Modern Kandahar adjoins the old city. Together with Peshawar, Kandahar is the principal city of the Pashtun people. Now a days Kandahar does not see a lot of tourists.
MAUSOLEUM OF AHMED SHAH DURRANI:
Ahmed Shah Durrani, the founder of Sadozy Dynasty has ruled Afghanistan from 1747 to 1772 A.D. In October 1747, an assembly of Pashtun chiefs elected him King of Afghanistan. The Pashtun tribesmen rallied to his banner, and Ahmed Shah led them on nine campaigns into Indian in search of booty and territorial conquest. He added Kashmir, Sindh and Western Punjab to his domains and founded an empire that extended from Eastern Persia to Northern India and from Amu Darya to the Indian Ocean. Ahmad Shah appointed his son Timur as his successor and died of a natural death in April 1772. His mausoleum is known to be an important historical monument in Kandahar and an example pf artwork.
DA SHAHIDANU CHOWK (Martyrs Square):
A monument to pious Martys (Shahidan: those who died in battle) stands in the center of Kandahar’s main square called Da Shahidanu Chowk. Flags and small cannon encircle this monument built between 1946 & 1948.
DA KHERQA SHARIF ZIARAT:
The shrine of the cloak of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) adjoins Ahmed Shah Durrani’s Mausoleum. This is one of the holiest shrines in Afghanistan. Ahmed Shah received the Prophet’s Cloak from Murad Beg, Amir of Bukhara, in 1768, as a part of treaty settling the northern boundaries. The building housing this relic is architecturally unpretentious but its sparkling tile decoration commands attention. The door of this shrine is inlaid with Lapis Lazuli, Shah Maqsudi travertine, and chased silver inlaid with gold was installed in 1974. It is not possible to view the relic.
ARG (Citadel):
The Arg or citadel is said to have been built during the early years of 19th century by Prince Kamra, son of Shah Mahmood (1800-1803; 1809-1818) while his father was governor at Kandahar. The offices of the Governor are still located here but only a small portion of the original layout remains.
CHAR SUQ (Four Bazaars):
Ahmed Shah laid out the city of Kandahar with amazing regularity. The four principal bazaars meet in the center of the city at the Char Suq, a square once covered with a lofty dome where public proclamations were made. It is still the hub of the city.
SHRINE OF HAZRAT JI BABA:
Just to the north of city, there is a charming shrine dedicated to a celebrated saint who lived in Kandahar more than 300 years ago. His grave is 23 ft long to signify his greatness but solely covered by rock chips. The graves of Kandahari rulers of 19th century lie near the saint’s tomb.
CHIHLZINA (Forty Steps):
It is about 04 km away from Kandahar on Herat road. The Chihlzina is a rock-cut chamber high above the plain at the end of rugged chain of mountains forming the western defense of Kandahar’s old city. The construction of this chamber was started in 1522 on the order of Moghul Emperor Babur and completed in 1531 A.D. Inside the chamber is the history of domain of Emperors. Forty Steps, about, lead to the chamber, which is guarded by 02-chained lions, defaced and inscribed with an account of Moghuls conquest.
MAUSOLEUM OF MIR WAIS BABA:
It is situated some 10 km from Kandahar city. Mir Wais Hotak was the Ghilzai chief who declared Kandahar’s independence from the Persia in 1709. His mausoleum was built during the reign of Nadir Shah (1929-33). Before this new mausoleum, his tomb had no covering. This building is modeled after the mausoleums of Ahmed Shah Durrani, though it is smaller and has no interior decoration.
BABA WALI:
The shrine of Baba Wali, the spiritual confident of Shah Rukh Mirza of Herat (1405-1447), is situated about 08 km in north of Kandahar. The charming shrine of Baba Wali is situated on the hillside with its terraces shaded by pomegranate groves besides the Arghandab River. A famous landmark in Kandahar known as Fil Koh or Elephant Mountain can also be noted on returning to Kandahar by the way of Baba Wali Pass.
GHAZNI
It lies beside the Ghazni River on a high plateau at an elevation of 2,225 meter. Afghanistan’s only remaining walled town, it is dominated by a 45 meter high citadel built in the 13th century. Around the nearby village of Rowzeh-e-Sultan, on the old road to Kabul, are the ruins of ancient Ghazna, including 43-meter towers and tomb of Mahmood of Ghazna (971-1030), the most powerful Sultan of Ghaznavid Dynasty.
The city of Ghazni is also the capital of Ghazni province with a population of about 35,900 on the Lora Road. It is a 07th century town but it got importance under the rule of Ghaznavid when Mahmood of Ghazna made it the capital of first Muslim Dynasty in Afghanistan. Later Ghorids ruled it before it was captured by Genghis Khan in 1221 A.D. In 14th century A.D. it went to Tamerlane and finally to Mughal Emperor Babur. In 1747, under Ahmed Shah Durrani, Ghazni became part of the new Afghan Kingdom.
The modern town of Ghazni is just a pale shadow if its former glory. Today it is known mainly for its fine bazaars featuring goods from Afghanistan and neighboring countries. The walled, old city of Ghazni with its numerous bazaars contains the ruins of ancient
Ghazni. Ghazni is now a chief commercial and industrial center of Afghanistan, dealing in livestock, furs, silk, and agricultural products. The famed Afghan sheepskin coats are also made in the city.
THE CITADEL:
One of the most imposing fortresses to be seen in Afghanistan, destroyed during First Anglo Afghan War, rebuilt, however, but never to its previous splendeour. The old city of Ghazni, once clustered closely around the foot of citadel but the new town leaves it on the fringes looking forgotten and somewhat forlorn. In addition most of the interior is in ruin today. It is still used as a military garrison, however, and is, therefore, not open to public.
PALACE OF SULTAN MASOOD:
This palace was completed in 112 A.D. and it used to be the court of Masud III who was born in Ghazni in 1061. He ruled from 1099 to 1114 A.D. This palace is a vast complex including a throne room, government offices, soldiers’ quarters, a mosque with its minarets and pockets of gardens in addition to the royal apartment.
THE MINARETS:
The 02 remaining minarets built by Sultan Masud III (1099-1114) and Bahram Shah (1118-1152) now only a fraction of their original height, served as models for the spectacular tower of Jam, which is in turn inspired the Qutab Minaret at Delhi. The intricate decoration is in raised brick without colour and includes epigraphic friezes in square Kufic and Noshki script, in addition to panels of floral and geometric designs. Mounds of ruins at the foot of both minarets indicate that they were a part of 02 large buildings. Evidence from these mounds supports the theory that these buildings were mosques.
MAUSOLEUM OF SULTAN MAHMOOD:
His tomb sits in the center of a garden suburb known during the heyday of Ghazni’s prominence as Bahg-i-Firuzi, the Victory Garden. This garden was a favourite retreat of great Sultan Mahmood and he personally selected it for his final resting place. The tombstone is exquisitely carved of Afghan marble and there one can also note water gushing forth from the mouth of marble lions and rams carved for the same purpose so many years ago.
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART:
This excellent small museum opened in 1966, is in the restored Mausoleum of Sultan Abdul Razaq, a superb example of 16th century Timurid architecture. This museum has a great collection of objects from Ghaznavid period such as ceramic tiles, glass and bronzes. One especially interesting motif found in Ghaznavid art and well represented by museum’s collection is the profuse use of human and animal formation, which is foreign to Islamic art in general. The influence of Sasanian Iran & Central Asia is here beautifully presented.
TAPA SARDAR STUPA:
Tapa Sardar, the prince’s mound acquired its name when Amir Habibullah chose it for a camp side. During his time the top of the hill was leveled, destroying all but the 1st & 2nd sections of an ancient Buddhist stupa. Exploratory excavation carried on at Tapa Sardar from 1959 to 1962 identified a stupa complex.
The central focus of the complex is a towering central stupa 22 meters square making it the largest yet found in Afghanistan. Interestingly, the archaeologists have determined that the enlarged lower portions of the Main Stupa are more recent than the upper sections indicating that this religious complex enjoyed an intensely active life over a long period. The last artistic flourish occurred in fact as late as the 07th & 08th centuries A.D. at a time when Buddhism had largely disappeared from other parts of the Afghan area. The findings at Tapa Sardar confirm definite connections between the late decorative styles of Afghanistan with the art of Central Asia.
LASHKARGAH (Town of Bost)
The town of Lashkargah is located in southwest part of Afghanistan. It is the capital of Helmand Province with about 2600 population in 1992 and also the site of an ancient town built by Sultan Mahmood Ghaznawi in the 10th century.
Lashkargah is located on the Helmand River, a few kilometers. The Ghourids dynasty built this town in 1150 A.D. but it was badly destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1220 A.D. Because of its strategic location, Afghan rulers constructed a number of forts on the site, which was in ancient time known as Bost.
A visitor to the area at the turn of the century observed the fortified plateau “covered thickly with the remains of towers, forts, and palatial buildings, which exhibit traces of on this site of a large and important city, fortified with unusual skill and military are with considerable taste and culture”.
Today the remains of the great palace of Masoud still give the visitor an idea of the splendour of the court of what was then the greatest Empire of the East. The most remarkable monument is the magnificently decorated arch, which has a span of 80 feet and is known as Darwaza-e-Bost (Door of Bost).
This town was also called Lashkari Bazaar by the local population as well as Kala-e-Bost (Fort of Bost).
In the last Some Beautiful Pictures from Aghanistan.
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