Ghazni, city, eastern Afghanistan, capital of Ghazni Province, on a plateau at an altitude of about 2220 m (about 7280 ft) above sea level. Ghazni, a market center for the cereal grains, fruit, wool, and animal skins from the surrounding region, lies on an ancient trade route between Iran and India. A short distance northeast of Ghazni are the remains of Old Ghazni, once an important city. The only ruins in Old Ghazni retaining a semblance of architectural form are two towers, about 43 m (about 140 ft) high and some 365 m (some 1200 ft) apart. According to inscriptions, the towers were constructed by the Afghan sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and his son. In 1842, during the First Afghan War, the present city was taken and its defenses destroyed by the British. Population (1988 estimate) 38,900.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Ghazni Information info
|
