Citadel of Ghazni

Citadel of Ghazni
Ghazni in Afghanistan
View of Ghazni Citadel
Ghazni Citadel Location in Afghanistan
Coordinates	33°32′57″N 68°25′24″E / 33.54917°N 68.42333°E / 33.54917; 68.42333
Height	45 metres (147 foot)
Site information
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Partially ruined
Site history
Built	13th century
Battles/wars	Battle of 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]

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 near major roads. A lack of funds to preserve the site, heavy rains, and the country's ongoing civil war have further contributed to the citadel's collapse.

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]

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]

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  British-Indian troops attacking the citadel during the First Afghan War, 1839.
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  Painting by James Atkinson with Ghazni fort in the background of the Ghazni Minarets, 1839.
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  Citadel of Ghazni in 1939
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  Wall of Ghazni Citadel, 1939–1940.
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  Round towers in the wall, 1939–1940.
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  Citadel of Ghazni, seen from the Buddhist monastery of Tapa Sardar
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  Aerial view of the citadel in 2011.

• Ghazni Minarets

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