Mazar-i-Sharif

Lore & Background

The name Mazar-i-Sharif means 'tomb of the saint,' referring to the purported tomb of Ali, cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The city was rebuilt after destruction by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. During the Soviet–Afghan War, Mazar-i-Sharif was a strategic base for the Soviet Army. support, marking the first major Afghan city to be taken from the Taliban after the September 11 attacks. The city has the highest percentage of built-up land (91%) of all Afghan provincial capitals and is the lowest-lying major city in the country.

Reader's Guide

Mazar-i-Sharif holds significance as the regional hub of northern Afghanistan, located near the borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Its economy and identity have long been tied to the Shrine of Ali, a major pilgrimage site, and its role as a crossroads of trade and conquest. The city's history reflects the broader patterns of Central Asian empire-building, from the Achaemenids to the Durrani Empire. The city's infrastructure, including the Mawlana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi International Airport and Balkh University, underscores its continued importance as an administrative and educational center.

Did You Know?

• Mazar-i-Sharif means 'tomb of the saint,' referring to the purported tomb of Ali.