Ghurian (Ghōriyān)
In the 19th century, Ghurian was a strategic town on the border between Herat and Iran, as one of the four provinces of the Principality of Herat. It frequently swapped hands between the local chieftains. It was part of the Durrani Empire under Ahmad Shah, but was taken by the chieftain of Torbat-e Heydarieh, Eshaq Khan, in 1804. In 1813-14 it was briefly held by Firuz al-Din, the ruler of Herat, but was soon restored to Eshaq Khan. When he died in 1816 it was taken by Banyad Khan Hazara, but later that same year it was captured by Firuz al-Din again and held until 1818, when Iran captured it and gave it to Qilij Khan Timuri. It was later taken by Mohammad Khan Qara'i, who held it until Qajar authorities deposed him in 1833. It was then taken by the Heratis until 1837, when Iran captured it and held it until 1841.
* Herat Province
Map - Ghurian (Ghōriyān)
Map
Country - Afghanistan
Flag of Afghanistan |
Human habitation in Afghanistan dates back to the Middle Paleolithic era, and the country's strategic location along the historic Silk Road has led it to being described, picturesquely, as the ‘roundabout of the ancient world’. Popularly referred to as the graveyard of empires, the land has historically been home to various peoples and has witnessed numerous military campaigns, including those by the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Maurya Empire, Arab Muslims, the Mongols, the British, the Soviet Union, and most recently by a US-led coalition. Afghanistan also served as the source from which the Greco-Bactrians and the Mughals, amongst others, rose to form major empires. The various conquests and periods in both the Iranian and Indian cultural spheres made the area a center for Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and later Islam throughout history.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
---|---|---|---|
AFN | Afghan afghani | Ø‹ | 2 |
ISO | Language |
---|---|
PS | Pashto language |
FA | Persian language |
TK | Turkmen language |
UZ | Uzbek language |