Ghazni Province

Coordinates: 33°30′N 68°00′E / 33.5°N 68°E / 33.5; 68
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghazni
غزني
Province
From the top, The Mountains of Ghazni, Minaret of Bahram Shah , Jaghori District
Map of Afghanistan with Ghazni province highlighted
Map of Afghanistan with Ghazni province highlighted
Coordinates (Capital): 33°30′N 68°00′E / 33.5°N 68°E / 33.5; 68
Country Afghanistan
CapitalGhazni
Government
 • GovernorMuhammad Amin Jan
 • Deputy GovernorQari Gul Haider[1]
Area
 • Total22,460 km2 (8,670 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total1,386,764
 • Density62/km2 (160/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Time)
Postal code
23xx
ISO 3166 codeAF-GHA
Main languagesPashto and Dari

Ghazni (Dari: غزنی; Pashto: غزني) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in southeastern Afghanistan.[3] The province contains 19 districts, encompassing over a thousand villages and roughly 1.3 million people,[4] making it the 5th most populous province. The city of Ghazni serves as the capital. It lies on the important Kabul–Kandahar Highway, and has historically functioned as an important trade center. The Ghazni Airport is located next to the city of Ghazni and provides limited domestic flights to Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.

Ghazni borders the provinces of Maidan Wardak, Logar, Paktia, Paktika, Zabul, Uruzgan, Daykundi and Bamyan.

Etymology[edit]

The province was known as Ghazna in the 10th century, during and after the Ghaznavid era.[citation needed]

History[edit]

Part of a series on the
History of Afghanistan
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Related historical regions
Related topics
See also: Pre-Islamic Hindu and Buddhist heritage of Afghanistan

Ghazni was a thriving Buddhist center before and during the 7th century AD. Excavations have revealed religious artifacts of both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

"The two other great Buddhist centers, Fondukistan and Tepe-e-sardar (Ghazni) in its later phase are a very different matter and display another phase of influences coming from India from the seventh to eighth century. The representations show themes from Mahayana iconography and even in the case of the latter site assume Tantric aspects which had already established themselves in the large Indian monasteries like Nalanda."[5]

"Another important site is that of Tepe Sardar (better known as Tepe-yi Nagara, Tepe of the kettledrum) near Ghazni, which was occupied until perhaps the eighth century AD. From this period dates a huge statue of the Parinirvana Buddha (Buddha lying down at the end of his cycle of rebirths) of unbaked clay. A very similar statue has been found just north of Afghanistan, at the site of Adzhina tepe in Tajikistan. Yet what is most interesting was the find at the same site of a statue of the Hindu deity Durga Mahishasura-mardini."[6]

In 644 AD, the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang visited the city of Jaguda (probably Ghazni), while returning from Varnu (modern Bannu, Pakistan)[7][8]

Islamization[edit]

See also: Islamic conquest of Afghanistan

In 683 AD, armies from the Umayyad Caliphate 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.[9] A substantial portion of the local population including Hindus and Buddhists were converted to Islam by Mahmud of Ghazni[10][better source needed]

View of the Old Ghazni City
The minaret of Ghazni, built by Bahram Shah during the Ghaznavid Empire

"There is no evidence that Ghazna had previously formed part of the Samanid kingdom. It had been previously overrun with the whole of Zabulistan and Kabul by the Saffaris by 260 (873) but it is doubtful how far their power was permanent and even when the Samanids became paramount there is no evidence that Kabul or Ghazna were under them. The ruler of Ghazna is described as Padshah and was allied to the Hindushahis of Kabul. These titles were not as yet used by the Muhammadan rulers. The Padshah Lavik was probably a Hindu chief even though some passages in the Tabakth i Nisiri give him the name of Abu Bakr or Abu Ali."[11]

After the rebuilding of the city by Yaqub's brother, it became the dazzling capital of the Ghaznavids from 994 to 1160, encompassing much of North 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.

Ferishta records attacks by Muhammad of Ghor: "at the same time most of the infidels who inhabited the mountains between Ghazni and the Indus were also converted, some by force and others by persuasion."[12][non-primary source needed] Ghazni's eponymous 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 after 6 years of Khwarezmid rule. Ghazni's strategic position, both economically and militarily, assured its revival initially under the Qarlughids, albeit without its dazzling former grandeur.

Ghazni is 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 Sanai. 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.

Ibn Battuta noted "The greater part of the town is in ruins, with nothing but a fraction of it still standing, although it was formerly a great city."[13]

Babur records in his memoirs that Ghazni was part of Zabulistan.[14] The area was controlled by the Mughals until Nader Shah and his Persian forces invaded it in 1738. Ahmad Shah Durrani conquered Ghazni in 1747 and made it part of the Durrani Empire. During the First Anglo-Afghan War, the capital of Ghazni province was destroyed by the British-led Indian forces in the Battle of Ghazni.

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.

Recent history[edit]

Polish forces in Rashidan district during "Operation Passage" in April 2009.
U.S. paratroopers and Afghan soldiers move into a village during a combined patrol in 2012.

Since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, there has been a Provincial reconstruction base and a NATO forces base. These western forces (mostly Polish Armed Forces) were hunting Taliban and al-Qaida militants, who were active in the area.

Like many southern Afghan provinces, Ghazni has a precarious security situation. The Taliban insurgents are found in the rural areas outside of the capital, and are involved in attacks on provincial schools and government infrastructure. The province has avoided the outright warfare seen in other provinces of Afghanistan such as Helmand and Kandahar, but that is due more to political expediency and the tactical plans of the NATO-led ISAF force than the existence of a stable security situation in the province. Ex-Governor Taj Mohammad was killed by insurgents 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.[15] There is a Polish and American Provincial Reconstruction Team base located in Ghazni.

  • 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 province by the Taliban.
  • On September 28, 2010, the Deputy Governor of Ghazni and five others were killed after a suicide bomber on a motorized rickshaw attacked their vehicle. Deputy Governor Mohammad Kazim Allahyar and several men travelling with him were killed instantly when the attacker detonated his explosives at the back of their car near the airport in Ghazni City. The bodies were so badly burnt that there was some confusion about the identity of the other victims. Provincial police chief Delawar Zahid reported Allahyar's son, nephew and driver died, along with two civilians passing by on a bicycle.[16]
  • As of 26 September 2014, there is ongoing fighting in key districts between the Taliban and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).[17][18]
  • After steady gains by the Taliban across the province in 2017 and early 2018 the Battle of Ghazni took place in August, 2018.

Districts[edit]

Ghazni District Map
Former districts of Ghazni (2005)
Districts of Ghazni Province
District Capital Population (2020) Area in km2 Pop.
density 		Ethnic composition
Ab Band Haji Khel 31,089 991 31 >99% Pashtun, <1% Tajik.[19]
Ajristan Sangar 32,550 1,461 22 97% Pashtun, 3% Hazara.[20]
Andar Miray 140,963 681 207 100% Pashtun.[21]
Deh Yak Ramak 55,269 709 78 89% Hazara, 11% Pashtun.[22]
Gelan Janda 65,366 1,116 59 100% Pashtun.[23]
Ghazni Ghazni 186,706 380 491 50% Tajik, 25% Pashtun, 25% Hazara.[24][25]
Giro Pana 41,319 878 47 100% Pashtun.[26]
Jaghori Sang-e-Masha 199,553 1,965 102 100% Hazara.[27]
Jaghatū Gulbawri 35,871 696 52 73% Hazara, 27% Pashtun.[28]
Khogyani Khogyani 22,719 147 155 >99% Pashtun, <1% Hazara and Tajik.[29]
Khwaja Umari Kwaja Umari 21,390 176 122 45% Hazara, 35% Tajik, 20% Pashtun.[30]
Malistan Mir Adina 100,000 1,978 47 100% Hazara.[31]
Muqur Muqur 56,863 931 61 99% Pashtun, 1% Tajik and Hazara.[32]
Nawa Nawa 33,613 1,753 19 100% Pashtun.[33]
Nawur Du Abi 106,952 5,097 21 100% Hazara.[34]
Qarabagh Qarabagh 161,424 1,690 96 55% Pashtun, 45% Hazara.[35]
Rashidan Rashidan 20,328 98 208 96% Pashtun, 4% Hazara.[36]
Waghaz Waghaz 43,578 512 85 Predominantly Pashtun.[37]
Zana Khan Dado 14,215 284 50 100% Pashtun.[38]
Ghazni 1,362,504 22,461 61 45% Pashtuns, 45% Hazaras, 7.4% Tajiks, 0.7% Hindus,1.9% Others.[note 1]
  1. ^ Note: "Predominantely" or "dominated" is interpreted as 99%, "majority" as 70%, "mixed" as 1/(number of ethnicities), "minority" as 30% and "few" or "some" as 1%.

Healthcare[edit]

Further information: Health in Afghanistan
Ghazni PRT brings medical care and winter clothes to Nawa District.

The percentage of households with clean drinking water fell from 35% in 2005 to 18% in 2011.[39] The percentage of births attended to by a skilled birth attendant increased from 7% in 2005 to 11% in 2011.[39]

Education[edit]

Further information: Education in Afghanistan

The overall literacy rate (6+ years of age) fell from 35% in 2005 to 31% in 2011.[39] The overall net enrolment rate (6–13 years of age) increased from 39% in 2005 to 54% in 2011.[39]

Demographics[edit]

Schoolgirls in Ghazni province

As of 2020, the total population of the province is about 1,386,764,[4] which is multi-ethnic and mostly a tribal society. Ethnically, Ghazni is composed mainly off of Pashtuns and Hazaras, which both make up about 45% of the population each. Hazaras live mainly in the north and west, while the Pashtuns live mainly in the south and east. Tajiks make up only about 5% of the whole province's population, but are the main ethnic group of the capital city Ghazni at about 50% there. Also, there is a small community of Hindus.[40] Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary occupation of the citizens of Ghazni. Wheat, alfalfa, melons, and almonds are among the largest crops produced.[citation needed]

Infrastructure[edit]

The Sardeh Band Dam in 2012

The Sardeh Band Dam is located in Andar District near the border with Paktika Province. It creates a large water reservoir that is critical to the irrigation of the Kahnjoor farming zone. The dam itself and the canal system it feeds both need repairs and maintenance.

Governor Musa Khan Akbarzada stated that key development projects would be launched in southern Ghazni in 2012 ahead of the Asian capital of the Islamic civilization for 2013. The projects include the construction of a proposed Islamic cultural center, a mosque, a covered bazaar, a gymnasium, a guesthouse, an airport, a five-star hotel and two 27 story-buildings and others. More than 2,000 people would find work opportunities on the $30 million projects; $10 million would be provided by the central government, $7 million by the Polish provincial reconstruction team (PRT) and $3 million by the US. A 40-kilometer road would be asphalted by the end of 2012.

Ghazni province is to be connected to the national electrical distribution system via North-east Power System (NEPS). The construction of the transmission line would begin from east Chimtala to Ghazni using a high voltage transmission network (2 x 220kV transmission lines and power substations). The project is to be implemented by USFOR-A and USAID costing $101 million. However, the Asian Development Bank agreed to complete the transmission line from Chimtala to Dast-i-Barchi; hence reducing the Project scope to begin from Dast-i-Barchi instead of Chimtala. The implementation of this project was delayed due to USACE being unable to award a contract because bids received for the project were more than double the estimated costs, due largely to security concerns resulting from the risks associated with implementing firm-fixed-price contracts in a kinetic environment, poor cost estimates, and unrealistic periods of performance. USACE is re-procuring both projects and plans to award contracts in June or July 2012, which will delay the project's execution schedules between 6 and 15 months. Furthermore, the delays in transferring funds contributed to delays in project execution. This line is a key part of a planned NEPS to SEPS connection to transport power to Kandahar to replace the expensive diesel-fueled power plants.

Transportation[edit]

Further information: Transport in Afghanistan

The Kabul–Kandahar Highway runs through the province.

The Ghazni Airport began operations in April 2012 but does not have any commercial flights as of August 2018. Residents in neighboring provinces, such as Logar, Paktika, Maidan Shahr and Zabul, would also benefit from the airport.

Natural resources[edit]

For the Mine, see Zarkashan Mine.

Recent geologic surveys have indicated Ghazni may have one of the world's richest deposits of lithium. Gold and copper were also found in the Zarkashan Mine of Ghazni province with an estimated value of US$30 billion. Whilst lithium deposits valued at around US$60 billion, were discovered in four eastern and western provinces of Afghanistan, together with other newly (2010) discovered mineral deposits, the total value estimate of US$3 trillion is based on a survey of 30 percent of the country's land mass.[41]

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mujahid, Zabihullah [@Zabehulah_M33] (January 29, 2023). د عالیقدر امیرالمؤمنین حفظه الله د حکم په اساس لاندې ټاکنې وشوې [On the basis of the order of His Highness Amirul Momineen Hufzallah, the following appointments were made] (Tweet) (in Pashto). Retrieved 1 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2021-22" (PDF). nsia.gov.af. National Statistic and Information Authority (NSIA). April 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  3. ^ "ḠAZNĪ – Encyclopaedia Iranica". iranicaonline.org. Archived from the original on 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  4. ^ a b "Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21" (PDF). Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, National Statistics and Information Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. ^ Simone Gaulier, Robert Jera-Bezard, Monique (1976). Buddhism in Afghanistan and Central Asia. BRILL. p. 2. ISBN 9004047441. Retrieved 2012-10-31.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ The Afghans By Willem Vogelsang Edition: illustrated Published by Blackwell Publishing, 2002 Page 185
  7. ^ BA Litvinsky, Zhang Guand-Da, R. Shabani Samghabadi, History of civilizations of Central Asia, pg. 385
  8. ^ Hui-li, 1959, p. 188
  9. ^ Nancy Hatch Dupree - Chapter 9 (Ghazni), An Historical Guide to Afghanistan
  10. ^ The Wonder that was India II by S A Rizvi; published by Picador India; page 16
  11. ^ E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936, Volume 2 By Martijn Theodoor Houtsma; page 154
  12. ^ Ferishta translated by John Briggs; p. 104.
  13. ^ Battutah, Ibn (2002). The Travels of Ibn Battutah. London: Picador. pp. 146–147. ISBN 9780330418799.
  14. ^ Babur-Nama Translated from the original Turki Text of Zahirud'd-din Muhammad BABUR padshah Ghazi by Annette Susannah Beveridge Vol1 and 11 Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, p. 217.
  15. ^ "Afghanistan militants kill former governor". Ctv.ca. Archived from the original on 2007-06-11. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  16. ^ "Suicide bomb kills Afghan vice-governor". Reuters. September 28, 2010.
  17. ^ "Taliban Storms Key Afghan District". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  18. ^ "Taliban seize strategic Afghan district in Ghazni province". BBC News. September 26, 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  19. ^ "UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 20/12/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Ab Band" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  20. ^ "UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 15/10/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Ajristan" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  21. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 17/02/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Andar" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  22. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 5/4/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Dehyak" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  23. ^ "UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 15/10/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Gelan" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  24. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 4/4/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Chazni Centre" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  25. ^ "National Geographic Magazine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-12. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  26. ^ "UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 11 September 2002, Province: Ghazni District: Giro" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  27. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 30/07/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Jaghori" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  28. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 24/06/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Jaghatu" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  29. ^ "UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 07/03/2003 Province: Ghazni, District: Khugiani" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  30. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 31/07/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Khwaja Omari" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  31. ^ "UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 24/02/2003 Province: Ghazni, District: Malistan" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  32. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 24/06/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Moqur" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  33. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 31/07/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Nawa" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  34. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 4/4/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Nawur" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  35. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 23/06/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Qarabagh" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  36. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 23/05/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Rashidan" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2005-10-27.
  37. ^ "Provincial profile for Ghazni" (PDF). ecoi.net. Regional Rural Economic Regeneration Strategies (RRERS). Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  38. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 17/02/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Zanakhan" (PDF). www.aims.org.af. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2006-10-07.
  39. ^ a b c d Archive, Civil Military Fusion Centre, "Pages - Ghazni". Archived from the original on 2014-05-31. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  40. ^ "Ghazni Province" (PDF). Program for Culture & Conflict Studies. Naval Postgraduate School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  41. ^ Najafizada, Eltaf (January 29, 2011). "U.S., Afghan Study Finds Mineral Deposits Worth $3 Trillion". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2017-03-07.

External links[edit]

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