Ghazni
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Centuries old minaret, as pictured in July 2001 |
Ghazni (Ğazni, Ghazna;
Persian: غزنی) is a city in eastern
Afghanistan, situated on a plateau at 7280 feet (2219 m) above sea level. It lies on the road between
Kandahar and
Kabul at 68 18 E. long., 33 44 N. lat. Ghazni is the capital of the
Ghazni province.
Under the name Ghazna, it was the capital of the
Ghaznavid Empire, ruled by the Ghaznavid Sultans, after the fall of the Empire of the Nasher-Khans.
Tombs of many poets and scientists are located in Ghazni, for example the Tomb of
Al Biruni. The only ruins in Old Ghazni retaining a semblance of architectural form are two towers, about 43 m (140 ft) high and some 365 m (1,200 ft) apart. According to inscriptions, the towers were constructed by the
Mahmud of Ghazni and his son.
Ghazni is also famous for its
minarets built on a stellar plan. They date from the middle of the
twelfth century and are the surviving element of the
mosque of Bahramshah. Their sides are decorated with geometric patterns. Upper sections of the minarets have been damaged or destroyed.
In the 1960s a 15-meter female Buddha was discovered lying on its back and surrounded by empty pillars that once held rows of smaller male Buddhas. Parts of the female Buddha have been stolen. In the 1980s a mud brick shelter was created to protect the sculpture, but the wood supports were stolen for firewood and the shelter partially collapsed.
The
Afghan Civil War and the continued conflict between the
Taliban and the
Afghan Northern Alliance during the 1990s put the relics of Ghazni in jeapordy. The Taliban placed
Fazl Uddin in charge of protecting the artifacts.
*
Data Ganj Bakhsh*
Sanai*
Mahmud of Ghazni*
Hassan Ghaznavi*
*
1911 encyclopedia entry*
The City Of Ghazni*
Map of Ghazni district
