History of Kandahar

Kandahar is one of the oldest and most strategically important cities in Afghanistan, with a history spanning millennia. Located in the south of the country, it has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires for centuries, playing a key role in the region's trade and politics.

Foundation and First Mentions

Although settlements in this area existed thousands of years BC, the official founding date of the city is considered to be 330 BC. Its founder was Alexander the Great, who named the city Alexandria in Arachosia. The name "Kandahar," according to one theory, is derived from the name "Iskandar"—which is how Alexander's name sounded in local languages. Archaeological finds, including cuneiform tablets, indicate that an important outpost of the Persian Achaemenid Empire was located here even before Alexander's arrival.

Key Factors of Development

Kandahar owes its growth and significance to several key factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated at the intersection of vital trade routes connecting Persia, India, and Central Asia. This made it a major transit point for caravans.
• Trade: A branch of the Great Silk Road passed through Kandahar, contributing to its economic prosperity. The city was a hub for the trade of wool, textiles, and famous local fruits.
• Political Role: In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of the modern Afghan state, made Kandahar the capital of his new Durrani Empire. Although the capital was later moved to Kabul, Kandahar has forever retained its status as the historical and spiritual center of the Pashtun tribes.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since ancient times, Kandahar has been known as a flourishing oasis in the middle of the desert. Its fertile lands were famous for orchards growing pomegranates, grapes, peaches, and melons, renowned far beyond the region. The early development of crafts, such as weaving, silk production, and pottery, also defined the city's economic character. Kandahar's cultural heritage represents a fusion of Persian, Indian, and Hellenistic traditions, which is reflected in its architecture and art.

Timeline of Kandahar's History

Kandahar, one of Afghanistan's most significant cities, has a rich and complex history marked by a succession of empires and dynasties. Below are the key milestones of its development.

• 330 BC — The city is founded by Alexander the Great under the name Alexandria in Arachosia, marking the starting point of its centuries-old history.
• 3rd Century BC — Kandahar becomes part of the Indian Mauryan Empire, as evidenced by the discovered edicts of Emperor Ashoka, a patron of Buddhism.
• 7th Century — Arab conquerors arrive in the region, and gradual Islamization begins, although local dynasties, such as the Zunbils, retained power for a long time.
• Early 13th Century — The city is captured and destroyed by the troops of Genghis Khan during the Mongol invasion of Central Asia.
• Late 14th Century — Kandahar becomes part of the vast empire of Tamerlane (Timur) and is subsequently ruled by his successors, the Timurids.
• 1522 — The city is conquered by Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, who left the rock-hewn complex Chehel Zina ("Forty Steps") to commemorate the event.
• 1649–1653 — Kandahar becomes a bone of contention between the Mughal Empire and the Persian Safavid dynasty, who eventually establish control over it.
• 1709 — Pashtun leader Mir Wais Hotak leads an uprising, liberates Kandahar from Persian rule, and founds the Hotak dynasty, making the city its capital.
• 1738 — The Persian ruler Nader Shah captures and completely destroys Kandahar, founding a new city, Naderabad, nearby.
• 1747 — Ahmad Shah Durrani founds the Durrani Empire, the modern Afghan state, and proclaims Kandahar its first capital.
• 1776 — The capital of Afghanistan is moved from Kandahar to Kabul by Ahmad Shah's son, Timur.
• 1839 — During the First Anglo-Afghan War, the city is occupied by British troops.
• 1880 — The famous Battle of Maiwand takes place near the city walls, where Afghan forces under the command of Ayub Khan defeat a British detachment.

Key Milestones in Kandahar's Development

The history of Kandahar is a kaleidoscope of eras that have left their mark on its culture, economy, and urban appearance. From an ancient center at the crossroads of trade routes to the capital of the first Afghan empire, here are the main stages that shaped the modern city.

• Foundation as Alexandria in Arachosia (330 BC): Founded by Alexander the Great, the city originally received a Greek-style layout. This established its strategic importance as a fortified outpost at the intersection of trade routes between Persia, India, and Central Asia.
• Trade Hub on the Silk Road: For centuries, Kandahar was a crucial transit point for caravans. Its economy flourished through the trade of silk, wool, spices, and famous local fruits such as pomegranates and grapes. This fostered the development of crafts—pottery, weaving, and carpet production.
• Capital of the Hotak Dynasty (1709): The uprising led by Mir Wais Hotak against Persian rule led to the creation of the first independent Pashtun state with its capital in Kandahar. This period established the city as the political and spiritual center of the Pashtun tribes.
• Capital of the Durrani Empire (1747–1776): Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of modern Afghanistan, proclaimed Kandahar the capital of his vast empire. During this time, the city was rebuilt, and its layout acquired features that survive to this day. Iconic structures were erected, including the mausoleum of Ahmad Shah himself, which became the city's main shrine.
• Modernization in the 20th Century: In the mid-20th century, Kandahar underwent significant infrastructural transformations. With international support, an international airport was built, becoming an important transport hub. New urban districts were developed, and schools and industrial enterprises were built, such as the wool fabric factory opened in 1932. Large irrigation projects were also implemented, strengthening the region's status as the country's leading agricultural center.

The architectural appearance of Kandahar represents a multi-layered chronicle reflecting urban planning ideas from different eras—from Hellenistic to modern. Each historical period left its mark, forming the unique character of the city, where ancient traditions combine with later layers.

Hellenistic and Pre-Islamic Roots

Founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC as Alexandria in Arachosia, the original city likely had features of a Hellenistic polis with a regular grid layout. Although little material evidence remains from that period, the very idea of a structured urban space laid the foundation for future development. Archaeological finds in the vicinity, such as ruins on the Mundigak mound, testify to a developed building culture even before Alexander's arrival, utilizing mud brick and the construction of monumental structures.

Islamic and Persian Influence

With the arrival of Islam, mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums characteristic of Muslim architecture began to appear in the region. For centuries, the style of buildings in Kandahar was formed under the strong influence of Persian and Timurid architecture. This period is characterized by the use of fired brick, domed structures, and decorative glazed tiles. A vivid, albeit later, example of Mughal influence is the Chehel Zina ("Forty Steps") complex, carved into the rock by order of Emperor Babur in the 16th century.

The Durrani Empire Era: Birth of Modern Kandahar

A key stage in shaping the city's appearance came in the mid-18th century when Ahmad Shah Durrani made Kandahar the capital of his new empire. The city was essentially rebuilt following a model resembling the layout of Herat. Its urban structure consisted of a rectangular fortress with four main streets converging in the center at the Char-Suq covered bazaar. This principle of urban space organization can still be traced in the old part of Kandahar.

An iconic monument of this era is the Mausoleum of Ahmad Shah Durrani. This is an elegant octagonal building topped with a large dome and decorated with niches featuring blue-green and yellow glazed tiles. The mausoleum's architecture combines both Iranian and Indian motifs, reflecting the empire's cultural ties. Nearby is another important shrine—the Kirka Sharif Mosque, which houses the Cloak of the Prophet Muhammad.

Traditional and Modern Development

Traditional residential development in Kandahar consists primarily of mud-brick and brick houses with internal courtyards, closely adjoining each other in the quarters of the old city. In the 20th century, the city began to expand beyond its historical walls. New districts appeared with wider streets and European-type buildings. This contrast between the labyrinths of ancient streets and modernized quarters clearly demonstrates the evolution of Kandahar's urban development.

Notable Figures Associated with Kandahar

Kandahar, being a political and cultural center for centuries, became the birthplace or place of activity for many iconic figures in the history of Afghanistan and the entire region. These individuals left a deep imprint on politics, culture, and military affairs.

Ahmad Shah Durrani (1722–1772)

Role and Significance: The founder of modern Afghan statehood and the Durrani Empire. Ahmad Shah, often referred to as "Baba" ("Father of the Nation"), united the Pashtun tribes and was proclaimed Shah in 1747. It was he who made Kandahar the capital of his new empire and rebuilt the city. His mausoleum in Kandahar is one of the main shrines and architectural gems of Afghanistan.

Mir Wais Hotak (1673–1715)

Role and Significance: Leader of the Pashtun Ghilji tribe who launched an uprising in 1709 against the Persian rule of the Safavids. He liberated Kandahar and founded the Hotak dynasty, creating the first independent Pashtun state with its capital in this city. Mir Wais is revered as a national hero who laid the foundations for Afghanistan's future independence. His mausoleum is also located in Kandahar.

Nur Jahan (1577–1645)

Role and Significance: Empress of the Mughal Empire, wife of Emperor Jahangir. Born in Kandahar into a Persian aristocratic family, she was given the name Mehr-un-Nissa. Becoming Empress, Nur Jahan ("Light of the World") proved herself as an outstanding political figure, effectively ruling the empire during a period when her husband withdrew from affairs. She was known for her intelligence, talent in poetry and architecture, as well as significant influence on the culture and politics of Mughal India.

Mohammad Ayub Khan (1857–1914)

Role and Significance: Afghan Emir and military commander, famous as the "Victor of Maiwand." On July 27, 1880, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, his troops inflicted a crushing defeat on a British brigade near the village of Maiwand, not far from Kandahar. This victory became a symbol of Afghan resistance and brought Ayub Khan fame as a national hero, after which he besieged British forces in Kandahar itself.

Abdul Hai Habibi (1910–1984)

Role and Significance: One of the most famous Afghan scholars of the 20th century—historian, philologist, poet, and public figure. A native of Kandahar, he made a huge contribution to the study of Pashtun history and literature. His numerous works are devoted to the analysis of ancient texts, the history of Afghan statehood, and the cultural heritage of the region. Habibi held various academic and government posts, leaving behind a rich scientific legacy.

Hamid Karzai (born 1957)

Role and Significance: A major political figure in modern Afghanistan, who served as the country's president from 2004 to 2014. He was born in the village of Karz near Kandahar and comes from the influential Pashtun Popalzai clan. His tenure as head of state coincided with one of the most complex periods in Afghanistan's recent history.