THEME

History

18th century–present

Modern era

From the Durrani state founded in 1747 to today, a modern nation shaped by many communities and languages.
7th–13th century

Islamic periods

Ghaznavid and Ghurid dynasties build courts of learning; the Minaret of Jam rises in a remote river valley.
14th–15th century

Timurid era

Under Shah Rukh and Gawhar Shad, Herat becomes a capital of painting, poetry and tilework.
c. 5000–2000 BCE

Early settlements

Farming villages and Bronze Age towns such as Mundigak near Kandahar trace some of the region’s earliest settled life.
c. 550–330 BCE

Achaemenid Empire

Bactria, Aria and Arachosia become provinces of the Persian empire, linked by royal roads and trade.
c. 250–125 BCE

Greco-Bactrian

After Alexander, a Hellenistic kingdom flourishes; Ai-Khanoum on the Amu Darya places a Greek theatre beside Central Asian craft.
History · 6 min

Walking the Old City of Balkh

The walls and shrines of the Mother of Cities.

Modern era