Ghazni Province

Geobox|Province
country = Afghanistan
country_

name = Ghazni
native_name = غزنی


map_caption = Map of Afghanistan with Ghazni highlighted
capital = Ghazni
capital_lat_d = 33.5
capital_long_d = 68
population_as_of = 2002
population = 931000
area = 22915
population_density =
timezone = UTC+4:30
free_type = Main languages
free = Pashto
Persian (Dari and Hazaragi dialects)

Ghazni (Pashto | غزنی) is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the east of the country. Its capital is Ghazni City. The province lies on the important Kabul to Kandahar road, and has historically functioned as an important trade center between those two major cities.

History

Buddhism and Indian Influence

Ghazni was a thriving Buddhist center before and during the 7th century AD.

In 683 AD, Arab armies brought Islam to the area and attempted to conquer the capital of Ghazni but the local tribes fiercely resisted. Its resistance was so famed that Yaqub Saffari (840-879) from Zaranj made an example of Ghazni when he ranged the vast region conquering in the name of Islam. The city was completely destroyed by the Saffarids in 869.Nancy Hatch Dupree - Chapter 9 (Ghazni)... [http://www.zharov.com/dupree/chapter09.html Link] ] A substantial portion of the local population including Hindus and Buddhists were converted to Islam by Mahmud of Ghazni cquote|'The region had previously been conquered by Mahumad of Ghazni and the population converted to Islam . [ The wonder that was India II by S A Rizvi Published by Picador India Page 16 ]

After the rebuilding of the city by Yaqub’s brother, it became the dazzling capital of the Ghaznavid Empire from 994 to 1160, encompassing much of northern India, Persia and Central Asia. Many iconoclastic campaigns were launched from Ghazni into India. The Ghaznavids took Islam to India and returned with fabulous riches taken from both prince and temple god. Contemporary visitors and residents at Ghazni write with wonder of the ornateness of the buildings, the great libraries, the sumptuousness of the court ceremonies and of the wealth of precious objects owned by Ghazni’s citizens.

Attack by Mahomed Ghory

Ferishta records attacks by Mahomed Ghoory .

It's capital was razed in 1151 by the Ghorid Alauddin. It again flourished but only to be permanently devastated, this time in 1221 by Genghis Khan and his Mongol armies. 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.

The most important mausoleum located in Ghazni is that of Sultan Mahmud's. Others include the tombs of poets and scientists, for example Al Biruni and Sanayee.

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 Mahmud of Ghazni and his son.

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.

During the First Anglo-Afghan War, the Ghazni's capital city was stormed and taken over by the British forces on July 23, 1839 in the Battle of Ghazni. 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 jeopardy. The Taliban placed Fazl Uddin in charge of protecting the artifacts.

Ghazni’s strategic position, both economically and militarily, assured its revival, albeit without its dazzling former grandeur. Through the centuries the city figures prominently as the all important key to the possession of Kabul.

Some Sikhs and Hindus also live in Ghazni province. During the Taliban regime they fled the country, but with the current administration they have returned to Ghazni city.

Since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, there has been a Provincial reconstruction base and a Nato forces base. These western forces are hunting Taliban militants and al-Qaida, who are still active in the area causing deaths to Afghan government employees and local civilian population of the province as well.

Political and Security Situation

Like many southern Afghan provinces, Ghazni has a precarious security situation caused by Taliban , who are reported to control most of the rural areas outside of the capital [http://www.iwpr.net/?p=arr&s=f&o=261314&apc_state=henh] , and are heavily involved in attacks on provincial schools and government infrastructure. The province has avoided the outright warfare seen in other areas of Afghanistan such as Helmand Province and Kandahar Province, but that is due more to political expediency and the tactical plans of the NATO ISAF force than the existence of a stable security situation in the province. Ex-Governor Taj Mohammad was killed by terrorists in 2006 after being appointed police chief of the province with a mandate to quell the power of the Taliban. On the same day there was an unsuccessful attempt on the life of the governor at the time, Sher Alam Ibrahimi [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060316/afghanistan_governor_060318?s_name=&no_ads=] . There is an American Provincial Reconstruction Team base located in Ghazni City.

In late April 2007, news agencies reported that Taliban fighters had taken control of Giro District in the province. The Taliban reportedly killed the district administrator, chief of police (who had been on the job for only one month) and three police officers. The Taliban withdrew from the district center one day later.

In July 2007, 23 South Korean volunteers were kidnapped in the Ghazni province by the Taliban. Two of them were killed and their bodies were dumped in various places. As of August 1st, security force was planned to be deployed to secure the release of those kidnapped.

Natural Disasters

In recent years, Ghazni has been beset by droughts, heavy snow, and flooding, all at different times [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/ghazni.htm] . During the periods of drought, many parts of the province, especially Ghazni City, saw heavy building in the flood plains of the province's rivers. Flooding caused by heavy rain and snow in recent years have taken heavy tolls in property in lives in these newly constructed areas [http://pajhwok.com/viewstory.asp?lng=eng&id=22381] .

Government

The current Governor of the province is Sher Khostai.

Demographics and geography

Ghazni is made up of 19 districts (district capitals are given in parentheses).Note: this is the old district map.

Malistan, Jaghuri, Nawur, parts of Qarabagh, Dih Yak and Jaghatu are part of the Hazara area known as the Hazarajat.

External links

* [http://www.iranica.com/articles/v10f1/v10f118.html FONDUKISTAN Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan, in the province of Parvan (Parwan)]
* [http://www.clt.astate.edu/wallen/digits/kabul.htm FONDUKISTAN images from Kabul Museum]
* [http://www.silk-road.com/artl/buddhism.shtml Buddhism and Its Spread Along the Silk Road]
* [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/photogalleries/afghan_treasure/photo4.html Afghanistan Gold Treasures –National Geographic]
* [http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/study/history_buddhism/buddhism_central_asia/history_afghanistan_buddhism.html Historical Sketch of Buddhism and Islam in Afghanistan]

References

See also

*Ghazni (city)
*Sangar (town)