:Citadel of Ghazni
{{Short description|Medieval fortress in Afghanistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Citadel of Ghazni
| ensign =
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| location = Ghazni
| nearest_town =
| country = Afghanistan
| image = Citadel of Ghazni.jpg
| image_size=300px
| alt = Ghazni Citadel photo
| caption = View of Ghazni Citadel
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| coordinates = {{coord|33|32|57|N|68|25|24|E|region:AF|display=inline,title}}
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| pushpin_map = Afghanistan
| pushpin_mapsize = 300px
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Afghanistan
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_image =
| pushpin_label = Ghazni Citadel
| pushpin_label_position = above
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| open_to_public = Yes
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| code =
| built = 13th century
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| height = 45 metres (147 foot)
| length =
| fate =
| condition = Partially ruined
| battles = Battle of Ghazni
| events =
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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.{{cite book |last1=Banting |first1=Erinn |title=Afghanistan: The land |date=2003 |publisher=Crabtree Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-7787-9335-9 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KRt0HfYFZGsC&pg=PA19 |language=en}} The 45 metre (147 foot) high citadel dominates the skyline.{{cite web |title=Ghaznī |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ghazni |website=britannica.com |accessdate=19 September 2018}}
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.{{cite web |title=Ancient tower collapse caught on camera in Ghazni in Afghanistan |url=
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-14/video-footage-captures-collapse-ancient-tower-afghanistan/11211438 |website=abc.au |accessdate=14 June 2019}} 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.
History
File:Ghazni City during 1839-42.jpg
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.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=16yHq5v3QZAC&pg=PA6|title=The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 5|author=John Andrew Boyle|page=165|publisher=Cambridge University Press|author-link=John Andrew Boyle|isbn=9780521069366|year=1968}}
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.{{cite web |title=Battle of Ghuznee |url=https://www.britishbattles.com/first-afghan-war/battle-of-ghuznee/ |website=britishbattles.com |accessdate=19 September 2018}}
On 14 June 2019, a tower collapsed due to heavy rain and possible government negligence.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48629680 |access-date=14 June 2019 |title=Ghazni's ancient tower collapses in Afghanistan |website=bbc.com}}
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.{{cite web |title=In pictures: Ghazni's undiscovered Afghan treasure trove |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-22124146 |website=bbc.com |accessdate=19 September 2018}}
In June, 2019 one of the fort's 32 original towers collapsed and was caught on video and posted to social media sparking international calls for the Afghan government and international community to do more to preserve the country's cultural heritage.{{cite web |title=Ghazni's ancient tower collapses in Afghanistan |url=
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48629680 |website=bbc.com |accessdate=13 June 2019}}
Gallery
File:Britattack.jpg|British-Indian troops attacking the citadel during the First Afghan War, 1839.
File:Atkinson1839.jpg|Painting by James Atkinson with Ghazni fort in the background of the Ghazni Minarets, 1839.
File:CH-NB - Afghanistan, Ghazni (Ghazna)- Menschen - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-21-155.jpg|Citadel of Ghazni in 1939
File:CH-NB - Afghanistan, Ghazni (Ghazna)- Menschen - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-21-173.jpg|Wall of Ghazni Citadel, 1939–1940.
File:CH-NB - Afghanistan, Ghazni (Ghazna)- Stadtansicht - Annemarie Schwarzenbach - SLA-Schwarzenbach-A-5-21-174.jpg|Round towers in the wall, 1939–1940.
File:Citadel of Ghazni, seen from Tapa Sardar.jpg|Citadel of Ghazni, seen from the Buddhist monastery of Tapa Sardar
File:Citadel_of_Ghazni_2011.jpg|Aerial view of the citadel in 2011.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ghazni Province}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Populated places in Ghazni Province
Category:World Heritage Sites in Danger
{{Afghanistan-struct-stub}}