The Citadel of Ghazni (or Ghuznee, Ghazna) is a large medievalfortress located in Ghazni city, east-central Afghanistan. It was built in the 13th century surrounding the Ghazni town to form a walled city.[1][2] The 45 metre (147 foot) high citadel dominates the skyline.[1]
The citadel is at risk of destruction due to multiple threats. Already more than half of the citadel's 32 original towers have been destroyed or heavily damaged with the collapse of one tower being caught on video in June, 2019 and being shared widely on social media.[3] The citadel is located in the center of the city and nearby major roads. A lack funds to aid in the site's preservation, heavy rains, and the country's ongoing civil war have further contributed to the citadel's collapse.
Painting by James Rattray shows town and Citadel of Ghazni, 1839-1842
In 962, the Turkic slave commander of the Samanid Empire, Alp-Tegin, attacked Ghazni and besieged the citadel for four months. He wrested Ghazni from the Lawik ruler, Abu Bakr Lawik. Alp-Tegin was accompanied by Sabuktigin during this conquest.[4]
In 1839, the citadel was the site of the battle of Ghazni during the first Anglo-Afghan war when the British troops stormed and captured the citadel. It saw further violence during later decades of wars.[5]
On 14 June 2019, a tower collapsed due to heavy rain and possible government negligence.[6]
Threats
The old citadel of Ghazni is in a deteriorating condition. Many of the towers and walls of the fortress are crumbling. Decades of war and continued political instability in Afghanistan have contributed to the deterioration of the fortress. War and lack of funds have hampered restoration efforts.[7]
In June, 2019 one of the fort's 32 original towers collapsed and was caught on video and posted to social media[3] sparking international calls for the Afghan government and international community to do more to preserve the country's cultural heritage.[8]
Gallery
British-Indian troops attacking the citadel during the First Afghan War, 1839.
Painting by James Atkinson with Ghazni fort in the background of the Ghazni Minarets, 1839.
Citadel of Ghazni in 1939
Wall of Ghazni Citadel, 1939–1940.
Round towers in the wall, 1939–1940.
Citadel of Ghazni, seen from the Buddhist monastery of Tapa Sardar
citadel, ghazni, ghuznee, ghazna, large, medieval, fortress, located, ghazni, city, east, central, afghanistan, built, 13th, century, surrounding, ghazni, town, form, walled, city, metre, foot, high, citadel, dominates, skyline, ghazni, afghanistanview, ghazni. The Citadel of Ghazni or Ghuznee Ghazna is a large medieval fortress located in Ghazni city east central Afghanistan It was built in the 13th century surrounding the Ghazni town to form a walled city 1 2 The 45 metre 147 foot high citadel dominates the skyline 1 Citadel of GhazniGhazni in AfghanistanView of Ghazni CitadelGhazni CitadelLocation in AfghanistanCoordinates33 32 57 N 68 25 24 E 33 54917 N 68 42333 E 33 54917 68 42333 Coordinates 33 32 57 N 68 25 24 E 33 54917 N 68 42333 E 33 54917 68 42333Height45 metres 147 foot Site informationOpen tothe publicYesConditionPartially ruinedSite historyBuilt13th centuryBattles warsBattle of GhazniThe citadel is at risk of destruction due to multiple threats Already more than half of the citadel s 32 original towers have been destroyed or heavily damaged with the collapse of one tower being caught on video in June 2019 and being shared widely on social media 3 The citadel is located in the center of the city and nearby major roads A lack funds to aid in the site s preservation heavy rains and the country s ongoing civil war have further contributed to the citadel s collapse Contents 1 History 2 Threats 3 Gallery 4 See also 5 ReferencesHistory Edit Painting by James Rattray shows town and Citadel of Ghazni 1839 1842 In 962 the Turkic slave commander of the Samanid Empire Alp Tegin attacked Ghazni and besieged the citadel for four months He wrested Ghazni from the Lawik ruler Abu Bakr Lawik Alp Tegin was accompanied by Sabuktigin during this conquest 4 In 1839 the citadel was the site of the battle of Ghazni during the first Anglo Afghan war when the British troops stormed and captured the citadel It saw further violence during later decades of wars 5 On 14 June 2019 a tower collapsed due to heavy rain and possible government negligence 6 Threats EditThe old citadel of Ghazni is in a deteriorating condition Many of the towers and walls of the fortress are crumbling Decades of war and continued political instability in Afghanistan have contributed to the deterioration of the fortress War and lack of funds have hampered restoration efforts 7 In June 2019 one of the fort s 32 original towers collapsed and was caught on video and posted to social media 3 sparking international calls for the Afghan government and international community to do more to preserve the country s cultural heritage 8 Gallery Edit British Indian troops attacking the citadel during the First Afghan War 1839 Painting by James Atkinson with Ghazni fort in the background of the Ghazni Minarets 1839 Citadel of Ghazni in 1939 Wall of Ghazni Citadel 1939 1940 Round towers in the wall 1939 1940 Citadel of Ghazni seen from the Buddhist monastery of Tapa Sardar Aerial view of the citadel in 2011 See also EditGhazni MinaretsReferences Edit a b Ghazni britannica com Retrieved 19 September 2018 Banting Erinn 2003 Afghanistan The land Crabtree Publishing Company p 19 ISBN 978 0 7787 9335 9 a b Ancient tower collapse caught on camera in Ghazni in Afghanistan abc au Retrieved 14 June 2019 John Andrew Boyle 1968 The Cambridge History of Iran Volume 5 Cambridge University Press p 165 ISBN 9780521069366 Battle of Ghuznee britishbattles com Retrieved 19 September 2018 Ghazni s ancient tower collapses in Afghanistan bbc com Retrieved 14 June 2019 In pictures Ghazni s undiscovered Afghan treasure trove bbc com Retrieved 19 September 2018 Ghazni s ancient tower collapses in Afghanistan bbc com Retrieved 13 June 2019 This article about a building or structure in Afghanistan is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Citadel of Ghazni amp oldid 1110894242, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
