Ghazni

A major pre-Islamic site and Afghanistan's only remaining walled town, dominated by a 150-foot citadel built in the 13th century. The ruins of ancient Ghazna include two 140-foot towers and the tomb of Mahmud of Ghazna (971-1030), the most powerful emir (sultan) of the Ghaznavid dynasty. Ghazni's early history is obscure; it has probably existed at least since the 7th century. Early in the 11th century, under Mahmud of Ghazna, the town became the capital of the vast empire of the Ghaznavids, Afghanistan's first Muslim dynasty. Excavation has revealed part of the palace of Musud III, which contemporary writers described as filed with booty from India. The central courtyard contains a magnificently carved inscription, in Persian rather than the customary Arabic --one of the oldest examples of Persian epigraphy.

Major pre-Islamic settlement in Afghanistan, the most spectacular remains of which are the Buddhist monastery at Tapa Sardar. In the Islamic period, it became the capital of the Ghaznavids, a dynasty of Turkish origin which ruled from 977-1186 and for a time controlled large parts of Afghanistan, western Iran and northwest India. The town has two stunning Ghaznavid monuments: the minarets built by Masud III (1099-1114) and Bahram Shah (1117-53). Each has a star-shaped plan and is of fired brick, with elaborate kufic inscriptions and geometric ornament. Excavation has revealed part of the palace of Masud III, which contemporary writers described as filled with booty from India. The central courtyard contains a magnificently carved inscription, 250 metres long, in Persian rather than the customary Arabic — one of the oldest examples of Persian epigraphy. Nearby is the mausoleum of Sultan Abdur Razaq, a fine Timurid building which contains a museum of Ghaznavid epigraphy, ceramics and metalware.