It's an ancient city with many historic buildings, although these have suffered damage in various military conflicts during the last few decades. The buildings are generally constructed of mud brick. The city is dominated by the remains of a citadel, constructed under the rule of Alexander the Great.
The city had a favourable position on the trade routes between Persia, India, China and Europe. The roads from Herat to Turkmenistan and Iran are still strategically important.
Herat is probably a descendent of the ancient Persian town of Artacoana?, established before 500BC. It may also have been known as Aria.
It was captured by Alexander the Great in 330BC during his war against the Persian [Achaemenid Empire]?. The town was rebuilt and the citadel was constructed. It was part of the Seleucid Empire but was captured by others on various occasions and became part of the [Parthian Empire]? in 167BC.
Around 484 it became part of the [Hephthalite Empire]?.
Around 786-809 it was part of the [Abbasid Caliphate]?.
Later it was ruled by the Tahirid?s.
After 867-869 the Saffarid?s were in control.
Before 1040 it was ruled by the Ghaznavid?s. In 1040 it was captured by the [Seljuk Empire]?. In 1175 it was captured by the Ghorid?s and then came under the [Khawarazm Empire]?. In this period Herat became an important center for the production of metal goods, especially in bronze, often decorated with elaborate inlays in precious metals.
In 1221 it was captured by the Mongols and later destroyed by [Genghis Khan]?. In 1245 it was given to the [Kart Maliks]?.
Around 1381 it was destroyed again by Tamerlane?. Under his son [Shah Rukh]? it was rebuilt and became an important center under the [Timurid Empire]?. In the late 1400s the Musalla complex (with many minarets) was built under the rule of [Queen Gawharshad]?. Her tomb complex is considered one of the great monuments of Timurid architectural carving.
In 1506 it was captured by the Uzbeks and a few years later by [Shah Ismail Safavi]?, to become part of a new [Persian Empire]?.
From 1718 until 1880 there were various battles until the city became part of a united Afghanistan.
It was used by the Soviets during their occupation from 1979. Later it was under the controlled by the former Mujahedin commander Ismail Khan. In 1995 it was captured by the Taliban. In November 12, 2001 it was captured by the Northern Alliance.
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)