Herat, Afghanistan
The Friday Mosque in Herāt
Coordinates: 34°20′30″N, 62°12′12″E
Country	Afghanistan
Province	Herat
Population (2002)
- City	249,000
Time zone	GMT+04:30 Kabul (UTC)

Herāt (Persian: هرات‎ ) is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. It is situated just north of, and in the valley of, the Hari Rud, a river flowing from the mountains of central Afghanistan to the Kara-Kum Desert in Turkmenistan. Situated in a fertile river valley, Herāt was traditionally known for its wine. It is the third largest city of Afghanistan, with a population of 249,000 (2002 official estimate). The main inhabitants of the city are Persian-speaking Tājīks. The Shia Tajiks of Herat are also referred to as Fārṣīwāns^[1]. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x681, 123 KB) The Juma Mosque of Herat City source: http://flickr. ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... Afghanistan consists of 34 provinces, or velayat: Badakhshan Badghis Baghlan Balkh Bamiyan Daikondi - established March 28, 2004 Farah Faryab Ghazni Ghowr Helmand Herat Jowzjan Kabul Kandahar Kapisa Khost Konar Kondoz Laghman Lowgar Nangarhar Nimruz Nurestan Oruzgan Paktia Paktika Panjshir - established April 13, 2004 Parvan Samangan Sar-e Pol Takhar Vardak... Herat is a province of Afghanistan; together with Badghis, Farah, and Ghor provinces it makes up the western region of the country. ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... ... Persian (Local names: فارسی Fârsi or پارسی Pârsi)* is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan as well as by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... A province is a territorial unit, almost always a country subdivision. ... Herat is a province of Afghanistan; together with Badghis, Farah, and Ghor provinces it makes up the western region of the country. ... The Hari Rud is a river flowing from the mountains of central Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, where it disappears in the Kara-Kum desert. ... The Karakum Desert, also spelled Kara-Kum and Gara Gum (“Black Sand”) (Turkmen: Garagum, Russian: Каракумы) is a desert in Central Asia. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... This article is about the Central Asian Persians known as Tajiks. ... Herāti FārsÄ«wāns performing their traditional dance. ...

Herat is an ancient city with many historic buildings, although these have suffered damage in various military conflicts during the last few decades. The city is dominated by the remains of a citadel constructed under the rule of Alexander the Great. Herāt is situated favourably on the ancient and historic trade routes of India, China, the Middle East, and Europe. The roads from Herāt to Iran, Turkmenistan, Mazari Sharif and Kandahar are still strategically important. This article is about a type of fortification. ... Alexander the Great (Greek: ,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC–June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. ... A trade route is the sequence of pathways and stopping places used for the commercial transport of cargo. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... This article is 150 kilobytes or more in size. ... Mazari Sharif, also known as Mazar-e-Sharif, Mazar-i Sharif, Mazār-e SharÄ«f and Mazar-i-Sharif (Persian: مزار شریف), is the fourth largest city of Afghanistan, with population of 183,000 people (2002 official estimate). ... This article is about the city in Afghanistan. ...

Herat was one of the important cities of Khorasan and known as the Pearl of Khorasan. Nader Afshars tomb in Mashad. ...

[edit] History

Herat dates back to ancient times, but its exact age remains unknown. In Achaemenid times (ca. 550-330 BC), the surrounding district was known as Haraiva (in Old Persian), and in classical sources the region was correspondingly known as Aria (Areia). In the Zoroastrian Avesta, the district is mentioned as Haroiva. The name of the district and its main town is derived from that of the chief river of the region, the Hari Rud (Old Iranian Harayu "with velocity"), which traverses the district and passes just south (5 km) of modern Herat. The naming of a region and its principal town after the main river is a common feature in this part of the world. (Compare the adjoining districts/rivers/towns of Arachosia and Bactria.) Achaemenid Empire The Achaemenid Dynasty was a dynasty in the ancient Persian Empire, including Cyrus II the Great, Darius I and Xerxes I. At the height of their power, the Achaemenid rulers of Persia ruled over territories roughly emcompassing some parts of todays Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 600s BC - 590s BC - 580s BC - 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC Events and Trends Carthage conquers Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica 559 BC - King Cambyses I of Anshan dies... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC - 330s BC - 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 335 BC 334 BC 333 BC 332 BC 331 BC - 330 BC - 329 BC 328 BC 327... See Aryan Language or Old Persian For more information visit: *[Ancient Iranian Languages & Literature The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS) ... The Hari Rud is a river flowing from the mountains of central Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, where it disappears in the Kara-Kum desert. ... Arachosia is the ancient name of an area that corresponds to the southern part of today s Afghanistan, around the city of Kandahar. ... It has been suggested that Ta-Hsia be merged into this article or section. ...

The Persian Achaemenid district of Aria is mentioned in the provincial lists that are included in various royal inscriptions, for instance, in the Behistun inscription of Darius I (ca. 520 BC).^[2] Representatives from the district are depicted in reliefs, e.g., at the royal Achaemenid tombs of Naqsh-e Rustam and Persepolis. They are wearing Scythian-style dress (with a tunic and trousers tucked into high boots)gay bobs and a twisted turban around the head. The Behistun Inscription, carved into a cliffside, gives the same text in three languages, telling the story of King Darius conquests, with the names of twenty-three provinces subject to him. ... Seal of Darius I, showing the king hunting on his chariot, and the symbol of Ahuramazda Darius the Great (Pers. ... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC - 470s BC Events 529 BC - Cambyses II succeeds his father Cyrus as ruler of Persia. ... Næqš-e Rostæm, near Shiraz A rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam, depicting the triumph of Shapur I over three Roman Emperors Valerian, Gordian III and Philip the Arab. ... Persepolis aerial view. ... Scythia was an area in Eurasia inhabited in ancient times by an Indo-Aryans known as the Scythians. ...

A still standing citadel built by the ancient Greeks of Alexander.

At the time of Alexander the Great, Aria was obviously an important district. It was administered by a satrap, called Satibarzanes, who was one of the three main Persian officials in the East of the Empire, together with the satrap Bessus of Bactria and Barsaentes of Arachosia. In late 330 BC Alexander the Great, captured the Arian capital that was called Artacoana. 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 167 BC. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x681, 83 KB) source: http://flickr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x681, 83 KB) source: http://flickr. ... Seleucus I Nicator (Nicator, the Victor) (around 358–281 BC) was one of Alexander the Greats generals who, after Alexanders death in 323 BC, founded the Seleucid Empire. ... Satibarzanes (in Greek Σατιβαρζανης; died 330 BC), a Persian, was satrap of Aria under Darius III, king of Persia. ... Bessus (died summer 329 BC) was a Persian nobleman and satrap of Bactria and Sogdiana, and later self-proclaimed king of Persia. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC - 330s BC - 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 335 BC 334 BC 333 BC 332 BC 331 BC - 330 BC - 329 BC 328 BC 327... Alexander the Great (Greek: ,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC–June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. ... The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic successor state of Alexander the Greats dominion. ... Parthian Empire at its greatest extent, c60 BCE. The Parthian Empire was the dominating force on the Iranian plateau beginning in the late 3rd century BCE, and intermittently controlled Mesopotamia between ca 190 BCE and 224 CE. Parthia was the arch-enemy of the Roman Empire in the east and... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC - 160s BC - 150s BC140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC Years: 172 BC 171 BC 170 BC 169 BC 168 BC - 167 BC - 166 BC 165 BC 164...

In the Sasanian period (226-652), "Harev" is listed in an inscription on the Ka'ba-i Zartosht at Naqsh-e Rustam; and "Hariy" is mentioned in the Pahlavi catalogue of the provincial capitals of the empire. Ca. 430, the town is also listed as having a Christian community, with a Nestorian bishop. Head of king Shapur II (Sasanian dynasty A.D. 4th century). ... Events: Accession of Wei Mingdi as emperor of the Kingdom of Wei of China. ... Events Khazaria becomes an independent state (approximate date) Rodoald succeeds his father Rothari as king of the Lombards Births Clotaire III, king of the Franks Deaths Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, uncle of Muhammed, progenitor of the Abbasids Saint Ida of Nivelles, widow of Pippin of Landen, monastic foundress Rothari... Kaba-i Zartosht The Kaba-i Zartosht (alt: Kaba-i Zardusht, Kaba-ye Zardosht), meaning the Cube of Zoroaster, is a 5th century BC Achaemenid-era edifice at Naqsh-e Rustam, an archaeological site just northwest of Persepolis, Iran. ... Næqš-e Rostæm, near Shiraz A rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam, depicting the triumph of Shapur I over three Roman Emperors Valerian, Gordian III and Philip the Arab. ... The Pahlavi script was used broadly in the Sasanid Persian Empire to write down Middle Persian for secular, as well as religious purposes. ... Events Saint Patrick reaches Ireland on his missionary expedition. ... The term Nestorianism is eponymous, even though the person who lent his name to it always denied the associated belief. ...

In the last two centuries of Sasanian rule, the area and town of Aria/Herat had great strategic importance in the endless wars between the Sasanian Iranians and the Chionites and Hephthalites, of Hunnish origin, who had been settled in modern northern Afghanistan since the late fourth century.. The city of Herat, however, became well known with the advent of the Arabs in the middle of the seventh century. Chionites (OIONO/Xiyon/西戎/Hiun/Hion) became noted around 320 CE when they began to encroach upon Khorasan and the frontiers of the Kushan state. ... The Hephthalites, also known as White Huns, were a nomadic people who lived across northern China, Central Asia, and northern India in the fourth through sixth centuries. ... The Huns were a Turkic confederation of Central Asian equestrian nomads or semi-nomads. ...

When the Arab armies appeared in Khorasan in the 650s, Herat was counted among the twelve capital towns of the Sasanian Empire. Khorasan (Persian: خراسان) (also transcribed as Khurasan and Khorassan; Horasan in Turkish) is a region located in eastern Iran. ... Centuries: 6th century 7th century 8th century Decades: 600s - 610s - 620s - 630s - 640s - 650s - 660s - 670s - 680s - 690s - 700s Years: 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 Events: Buddhism introduced to Tibet Caliph Othman puts Muhammads teachings (the Quran) into 114 chapters Categories: 650s...

Around 786-809 Herāt was part of the Abbasid caliphate. Later, it was ruled by the Tahirid dynasty. Events September 14 - Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph upon the death of his brother al-Hadi, and appoints Salim Yunisi as the Abbasid governor of Sindh and the Indus Valley A council is organized in Constantinople, but disturbed by soldiers Beatus of Liébana, Spanish monk, publishes his... Events Saga succeeds Heizei as emperor of Japan. ... Abbasid (Arabic: العبّاسيّون, AbbāsÄ«yÅ«n) is the dynastic name generally given to the caliph of Baghdad, the second of the two great Sunni dynasties of the Arab Empire, that overthrew the Umayyad caliphs from all but Spain. ... The Tahirid dynasty ruled the northeastern Persian region of Khorasan between AD 821-873. ...

After 867-869 the Saffarid dynasty took control. Events September - Basil I becomes sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire. ... Events Western Emperor Louis II allies with eastern Emperor Basil I against the Saracens. ... The Saffarid dynasty of Persia ruled a short-lived empire centred on Seistan, a border district between modern-day Afghanistan and Iran, between 861-1003. ...

Before 1040 it was ruled by the Ghaznavids. In 1040 it was captured by the Seljuk Empire. In 1175 it was captured by the Ghorids and then came under the Khawarazm Empire. In this period Herāt became an important center for the production of metal goods, especially in bronze, often decorated with elaborate inlays in precious metals. Events March War of Independence of Western Xia occurred. ... The Ghaznavid Empire was a state in the region of todays Afghanistan that existed from 977 to 1186. ... Events March War of Independence of Western Xia occurred. ... The Seljuk Turks (Turkish: Selçuk; Arabic: سلجوق Saljūq, السلاجقة al-Salājiqa; Persian: سلجوقيان Saljūqiyān; also Seldjuk, Seldjuq, Seljuq) were a major branch of... Events Ruaidri Ua Conchobair (Rory OConner), last High King of Ireland, submits to Henry II as vassal of Ireland with the Treaty of Windsor Ly Cao Ton becomes ruler of Vietnam William of Tyre becomes archbishop of Tyre Massacre of Abergavenny ends with several noblemen dead at the hands... Muhammad of Ghor or Muhammad Ghori (originally named Muizz-ad-din) (1162 - 1206) was a Persian conqueror and sultan between 1171 and 1206. ... Khwarezmia (also spelled Chorasmia) was a state centered around the Aral Salt Flats (formerly the Aral Sea) including modern Karakalpakstan across the Ust-Urt plateau perhaps extending to as far west as the eastern shores of the North Caspian Sea. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ...

Ruins of the Musalla complex's minarets.

In 1221 it was captured by the Mongols and later destroyed by Genghis Khan. In 1245 it was given to the Kart Maliks. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (681x1024, 83 KB) (All user names refer to en. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (681x1024, 83 KB) (All user names refer to en. ... // Events May 13 - End of the reign of Emperor Juntoku, emperor of Japan Emperor Chūkyō briefly reigns over Japan Former Emperor Go-Toba leads an unsuccessful rebellion against the Kamakura Shogunate Emperor Go-Horikawa ascends to the throne of Japan January - Mongol Army under Jochi captures the city of... Mongols (Mongolian: Монгол Mongol, Turkish: Moğollar) are an ethnic group that originated in what is now Mongolia, Russia, and China or more specifically on the Central Asian plateau north of the Gobi desert and south of Siberia. ... For other uses, see Genghis Khan (disambiguation). ... Events Rebellion against king Sancho II of Portugal in favor of his brother Alphonso. ...

Around 1381 it was destroyed again by Timur. 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. Events June 12 - Peasants Revolt: In England rebels arrive at Blackheath. ... Statue of Timur in Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan Tīmūr bin Taraghay Barlas (Chagatai Turkic: تیمور - Tēmōr, iron) (1336 – February 1405) was a 14th-century warlord of Turco-Mongol descent[1][2][3][4], conqueror of much of Western and central Asia, and founder of the Timurid Empire (1370–1405... Shah Rukh or Shah Rokh means King-faced in Persian and can refer to: Shah Rukh Khan - Bollywood actor Shah Rukh (Shah Rokh, Shahrokh) is the name of many princes. ... Flag of the Timurid Empire according to the Catalan Atlas c. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Minarets (Arabic manara منارة, but more usually مئذنة) are distinctive architectural features of Islamic mosques. ... Akhangan tomb, where Goharshads sister Gohar-Taj is buried. ...

The Black Sheep Turkomans (Qara Qoyunlu) at one point established their capital in Herat during the fifteenth century. ^[3] The Karakoyunlu or the Black Sheep Turkomans (Azeri-Turkish: Qaraqoyunlular/Karakoyunlular) were a Turkoman tribal federation that ruled what is today Azerbaijan, including present-day northwestern Iran and Iraq from 1375 to 1468. ...

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. 1506 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shah Ismail I, the founder of the Safavid State. ... The Persian Empire was a series of historical empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the old Persian homeland, and at times extending into central and mid-east Asia. ...

From 1718 until 1863, there were various battles fought until the city became part of present-day Afghanistan. Ahmad Shah Durrani took possession of Herat in 1750, which became part of the Afghan Empire after almost a year of siege and bloody conflict. In 1824, the city became effectively independent when the country was split in three to resolve a succession struggle. The city suffered significantly in a Persian siege in 1838 and was occupied by the Persians in 1852 and again in 1856; both times the British helped to reverse the attempt at annexation, the second time through the Anglo-Persian War. The city was taken by Dost Mohammed Khan in 1863, restoring it to its status as part of a broader Afghan country. // The Funj warrior aristocracy deposes the reigning mek and places one of their own ranks on the throne of Sennar. ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... See Ahmad Shah Qajar for the Persian ruler (1909-1925). ... The Durrani Empire was a state in present day Afghanistan. ... Combatants Britain Persia Commanders Major General Sir James Outram The Anglo-Persian War lasted between November 1, 1856 and March 4, 1857, and was fought between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Persia (which was at the time ruled by the Qajar dynasty). ... Dost Mahommed Khan (1793 - June 9, 1863) founded the Barakzai dynasty in Afghanistan. ...

Most of the Musallah complex in Herat was destroyed in 1885 by the British army for a clear line of sight for their artillery against Russian invaders (who never came).

During the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Herat was used by the Soviets. Even before the Soviet invasion at the end of 1979, there was a substantial presence of Soviet advisors in the city with their families. From 10 to 20 March 1979 the army in Herat under the control of Ismail Khan mutinied and 350 Soviet citizens were killed. The Soviets bombed the city, causing massive destruction and thousands of deaths and it was recaptured with tanks and paratroopers. This article is about Communist rule in Afghanistan (1978-1992), which is separate, although slightly so, from the Soviet war in Afghanistan. ... Motto: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) Translation: Workers of the world, unite!) Anthem: The Internationale (1922-1944) Hymn of the Soviet Union (1944-1991) Capital Moscow Language(s) Russian (the de facto official language), 14 other official languages Government Socialist republic Leaders  - 1922-1924 Vladimir Lenin  - 1924-1953 Joseph Stalin... For the song by The Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in leap years). ... For the song by The Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... Ismail Khan (b. ...

Ismail Khan became a Mujahedin commander and after the departure of the Soviets he became governor of Herāt. In September 1995 the city was captured by the Taliban and Ismail Khan fled. However, after the US invasion of Afghanistan, on November 12, 2001, it was captured by the Afghan Northern Alliance and Ismail Khan returned to power (see Battle of Herat). In 2004, Mirwais Sadeq Khan, who was Aviation Minister of Afghanistan and the son of Ismail Khan, was ambushed and killed in Herat. More than 200 people were arrested on suspicion of involvement.^[4] Mujahideen (مجاهدين; also transliterated as mujāhidīn, mujahedeen, mujahedin, mujahidin, mujaheddin, etc. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Armed Taliban in pickup truck in Herat, July 2001. ... November 12 is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 49 days remaining. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Northern Alliance is a term used by the western media, Taliban and Al Qaida to identify the military coalition of various Afghan groups fighting the Taliban. ... Combatants Taliban Islamic Republic of Iran Northern Alliance United States Commanders Unknown Tommy Franks Ismail Khan Yahya Rahim Safavi Strength  ? 5,000 Casualties 0 0 The Battle of Herat was a coordinated insurrection and uprising in the Afghan city of Herat as part of the United States war in Afghanistan. ...

Herat is presently in full control of the new Afghan government, which is led by US backed President Hamid Karzai. Along with Karzai's government, there are also NATO peacekeeping forces present in and around the city providing security. United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... Hamid Karzai (Pashto: حامد کرزي, Persian: حامد کرزی) (b. ... NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation[2] (NATO; French: ; also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance, the Western Alliance, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance established by the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949. ...

[edit] Famous people from Herat

• Khwājah Abdullāh Ānsārī, a famous Persian poet of the 11th century
• Nūr ud-Dīn Jāmī, a famous Persian Sufi poet of the 15th century, and his nephew Abdullah Hatifi Herawi a famous poet as well
• Nizām ud-Din ʿAlī Shīr Navā'ī, famous poet and politician of the Timurid era
• Ustād Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād, the greatest of the medieval Persian painters
• Gowharšād, wife of Shāhrūkh Mīrzā
• Mīrzā Shāhrūkh bin Tīmur Barlas, Emperor of the Timurid Dynasty of Herat
• Mīrzā Husseyn Bāyqarāh, Emperor of the Timurid Dynasty of Herat
• Shāh Abbās The Great, Emperor of Safawid Persia

Abu Ismaïl Abdullah ibn Abi-Mansour Mohammad or Khwajah Abdullah Ansari (1006-1088) (Persian: خوجه عبدالله انصاری) was a famous Persian poet and Sufi. ... Persian (Local names: فارسی Fârsi or پارسی Pârsi)* is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan as well as by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... Youth seeking his fathers advice Miniature illustration to the Haft Awrang of Jami, in the story A Father Advises his Son About Love See Sufi outlook on male love Freer and Sackler Galleries, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Persian youth playing chess with two suitors Illustration to the Haft... Persian (Local names: فارسی Fârsi or پارسی Pârsi)* is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan as well as by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... now. ... The construction of fort Khavarnaq, c. ... Safavid era Miniature painting kept at Shah Abbas Hotel in Isfahan. ... Akhangan tomb, where Gohar-Taj is buried. ... Shah Rukh Mirza (also known as Shahrukh or Shah Rokh) (August 30, 1377 - March 12, 1447), was the ruler of the eastern portion of the empire established by Timur (Tamerlane), governing most of Persia and Transoxiana between 1405 and 1447. ... Flag of the Timurid Empire according to the Catalan Atlas c. ... Husayn Bayqarah (1438 - May 4, 1506), was a Timurid ruler of Herat from 1469 to his death, with a brief interruption in 1470. ... Flag of the Timurid Empire according to the Catalan Atlas c. ... Shah ‘Abbās I at a banquet. ... The Safavid Empire at its 1512 borders. ...

[edit] See also

• Herat Province
• Afghanistan
• History of Afghanistan
• Aria (satrapy)
• Greater Khorasan
• Timurids

Herat is a province of Afghanistan; together with Badghis, Farah, and Ghor provinces it makes up the western region of the country. ... Excavation of prehistoric sites by Louis Dupree, the University of Pennsylvania, the Smithsonian Institute and others suggests that early humans were living in what is now Afghanistan at least 50,000 years ago, and that farming communities in Afghanistan were among the earliest in the world. ... This is the ancient Latin name (Greek name, Areia) for the area around Herat, in NW Afghanistan. ... Nader Afshars tomb in Mashad. ... Timurids Map The Timurids were a Turkic-Mongol dynasty of Iran established by the Mongol Timur (Tamerlane). ...

[edit] Notes and references

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain. Princeton University is a coeducational private university located in Princeton, New Jersey, in the United States of America. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Patrick Clawson is the Deputy Director for Research at the Zionist Washington Institute for Near East Policy. ... Encyclopædia Britannica, the 11th edition The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–1911) is perhaps the most famous edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ...

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Herat

• herat.co.uk
• Map of Herat
• An Historical Guide to Afghanistan - Herat
• Local News From Herat

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ...

Twelve largest cities of Afghanistan by population
Kabul  · Kandahar  · Mazari Sharif  · Herat  · Jalalabad  · Kunduz  · Ghazni  · Bamyan  · Balkh  · Baghlan  · Gardez  · Khowst