Overview:

The Old City of Kandahar is an historic district in the capital city of Kandahar, Afghanistan. It is located in the southwestern corner of the city and it is bordered by the river Arghandab and Haji Agha Pass in the west, the Kabul-Kandahar Highway in the north, the Dahla Dam in the northeast, and the Arghandab River in the south. The Old City of Kandahar is one of the oldest cities in the region and it has a long and rich history. According to some historians, the city was founded as early as 2,000 BCE and it was at its height in the 18th century when it served as a center of commerce and culture. Today, it remains one of the most important cities in Afghanistan and it is the site of many important political and religious buildings, including the famous Ajir Mosque. The Old City of Kandahar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is home to a number of important archaeological sites. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Afghanistan
Prominent Features:

1. Balalikot Fort - This is a mud-brick fort built in 1858 which is the most iconic feature of the old city. 2. Shrine Of Mirwais Hotak - This is a beautiful shrine in the old city built in 16th century in honor of Mirwais Hotak, a local Pashtun leader who led a revolt against the Persian Safavids. 3. Kandahar Museum - This is a museum located in old city of Kandahar which houses various artifacts from the city’s long history. 4. Puli-i-Charkhi Prison - This is a notorious Soviet-era prison which was used by the Taliban and is now currently closed down. 5. City Markets - The old city of Kandahar is famous for its various bazaars, which are great for shopping. Everything from clothes, to crafts, to spices can be found in the bustling old city markets. 6. Mausoleum of Baba Wali - This mausoleum is the resting place of Baba Wali, a revered Sufi saint and is a popular religious landmark in the old city. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Afghanistan.

History:

Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second largest city, has a long and fascinating history. The city has played a major role in the region's history for thousands of years and is the birthplace of the famous Kandahar Line, a frontier that demarcates the line between Iran and Afghanistan. The city was founded in the 5th century BC by Alexander the Great and served as an important trading and military centre on the famous Silk Road. Under the Mughal Empire, the city enjoyed a high degree of prosperity and became a major centre of Islamic learning. During the period from 1839 to 1929 Kandahar served as the capital of Afghanistan, with its status changed to that of provincial capital during the reign of Amir Habibullah. During this time, the city saw the rebuilding of its citadel and defensive walls, as well as a new palace for the ruler. During the period of Amir Amanullah's rule, the city became a modernized and progressive hub of trade and commerce. Kandahar remained a major centre of activity after World War II. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the city served as an important military, strategic and transportation hub. The city was an important centre for the Mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War and saw intense fighting between Taliban and Northern Alliance forces in the early 1990s. It continued to serve as a Taliban stronghold until it was liberated by US Special Forces, the Afghan National Army and NATO forces in 2010. Today the city is once again a bustling centre of commerce, culture and history. Modern Kandahar is a rapidly developing city, with infrastructure projects such as a new airport, numerous new roads, an electricity grid and other facilities being developed to improve living conditions in the city. Visit one of the famous monuments of Afghanistan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1.Kandahar is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of its settlement linked to the ancient civilizations of Achaemenid, Indo-Greek, Kushan, Parthian, Persian, Turk, and Arab civilizations. 2.Kandahar is located in the south of Afghanistan and is considered as the spiritual homeland of the Afghan people. 3.Kandahar is known for its strategic importance as a trading hub between Afghanistan and western Asia and Europe. 4.Kandahar was the last capital of the mughal dynasty before it was conquered by British forces in 1839. 5.Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, after the capital Kabul. 6.Kandahar is the birthplace of Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of modern Afghanistan. 7.Kandahar has been a focal point of conflict in Afghanistan with a long history of battles between the Afghans, British, Russians, and the Taliban. 8.Kandahar is also home to a large Afghan refugee population from the wars in neighboring Pakistan. 9.Kandahar is renowned for its carpet-weaving, rug-making, and woodcarving industries. One of the historical monuments of Afghanistan, it tells the story of a bygone era