View source for Ghazni Province

{{Short description|Province of Afghanistan}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Ghazni
| native_name        = {{nq|غزنی}}
| native_name_lang   = prs
| settlement_type    = [[Provinces of Afghanistan|Province]]
| image_skyline      = <!-- images and maps  -----------> {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| perrow            = 1/2/2/2/2
| total_width       = 270
| image1 = Snow covered mountains in Ghazni.jpg
| image2 = US agencies seek to preserve Ghazni Minarets DVIDS432801 (cropped and retouched).jpg
| image3 = چمبرا.png
| footer = From the top, The Mountains of Ghazni, [[Ghazni Minarets|Minaret of Bahram Shah
]], [[Jaghori District]]}}
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_alt         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = Ghazni in Afghanistan.svg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Map of Afghanistan with Ghazni province highlighted
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|33.5|68|region:AF_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = Capital
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|Afghanistan}}
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Ghazni]]
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = Governor
| leader_name        = [[Muhammad Amin Jan]]
| leader_title1      = Deputy Governor
| leader_name1       = [[Qari Gul Haider]]<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Mujahid |first=Zabihullah |author-link=Zabihullah Mujahid |user=Zabehulah_M33 |number=1619602013117100032 |date=29 January 2023 |language=ps |script-title=fa:د عالیقدر امیرالمؤمنین حفظه الله د حکم په اساس لاندې ټاکنې وشوې |trans-title=On the basis of the order of His Highness Amirul Momineen Hufzallah, the following appointments were made |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref>
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 22460
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_note          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_total   = 1386764
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Estimated-Population-of-Afghanistan1-1400.pdf |title=Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2021-22 |date=April 2021 |website=nsia.gov.af |publisher=National Statistic and Information Authority (NSIA) |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204559/https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Estimated-Population-of-Afghanistan1-1400.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone1          = Afghanistan Time
| utc_offset1        = +4:30
| timezone1_DST      = 
| utc_offset1_DST    = 
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 23xx
| area_code          = 
| area_code_type     = 
| iso_code           = AF-GHA
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Languages of Afghanistan|Main languages]]
| blank_info_sec1    = [[Dari]], [[Pashto]]
| website            = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Ghazni''' ([[Pashto]]: غزني, {{IPA|ps|ɣaz.ni}}; [[Dari]]: غزنی, {{IPA|prs|ɣäz.níː}}), is one of the 34 [[provinces of Afghanistan]], located in southeastern [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ḠAZNĪ – Encyclopaedia Iranica|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gazni-|access-date=2021-02-22|website=iranicaonline.org|archive-date=2021-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130181721/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gazni-|url-status=live}}</ref> The province contains 19 [[Districts of Afghanistan|districts]], encompassing over a thousand villages and roughly 1.3 million people,<ref name="nsia" /> making it the 5th most populous province. The city of [[Ghazni]] serves as the capital. It lies on the important [[Kabul–Kandahar Highway]], and has historically functioned as an important trade center. The [[Ghazni Airport]] is located next to the city of Ghazni and provides limited domestic flights to Afghanistan's capital, [[Kabul]].

Ghazni borders the provinces of [[Maidan Wardak Province|Maidan Wardak]], [[Logar Province|Logar]], [[Paktia Province|Paktia]], [[Paktika Province|Paktika]], [[Zabul Province|Zabul]], [[Uruzgan Province|Uruzgan]], [[Daykundi Province|Daykundi]] and [[Bamyan Province|Bamyan]].

== Etymology ==
The province was known as Ghazna in the 10th century, during and after the [[Ghaznavid]] era.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

== History ==
{{History of Afghanistan}}
{{See also|Pre-Islamic Hindu and Buddhist heritage of Afghanistan}}
Ghazni was a thriving [[Buddhist]] center before and during the 7th century AD. Excavations have revealed religious artifacts of both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
{{blockquote|"The two other great Buddhist centers, Fondukistan and Tepe-e-sardar (Ghazni) in its later phase are a very different matter and display another phase of influences coming from India from the seventh to eighth century. The representations show themes from [[Mahayana]] iconography and even in the case of the latter site assume [[Vajrayana|Tantric]] aspects which had already established themselves in the large Indian monasteries like [[Nalanda]]."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gc4AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Gaulier%22+%22Buddhism+in+Afghanistan+and+Central+Asia%22+&pg=PA1|title= ''Buddhism in Afghanistan and Central Asia'' |author=Simone Gaulier, Robert Jera-Bezard, Monique |year= 1976 |page=2|publisher= BRILL |isbn= 9004047441 |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref>}}

{{blockquote|"Another important site is that of Tepe Sardar (better known as Tepe-yi Nagara, Tepe of the kettledrum) near Ghazni, which was occupied until perhaps the eighth century AD. From this period dates a huge statue of the Parinirvana Buddha (Buddha lying down at the end of his cycle of rebirths) of unbaked clay. A very similar statue has been found just north of Afghanistan, at the site of Adzhina tepe in Tajikistan. Yet what is most interesting was the find at the same site of a statue of the [[Hindu]] deity [[Durga]] [[Mahishasura|Mahishasura-mardini]]."<ref>''The Afghans'' By Willem Vogelsang Edition: illustrated
Published by Blackwell Publishing, 2002 Page 185</ref>}}

In 644 AD, the Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] visited the city of Jaguda (probably [[Ghazni]]), while returning from [[Bannu|Varnu]] (modern Bannu, Pakistan)<ref>BA Litvinsky, Zhang Guand-Da, R. Shabani Samghabadi, ''History of civilizations of Central Asia'', pg. 385</ref><ref>Hui-li, 1959, p. 188</ref>

=== Islamization ===
{{See also|Islamic conquest of Afghanistan}}
In 683 [[AD]], [[army|armies]] from the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] brought [[Islam]] to the area and attempted to conquer the capital of Ghazni but the local tribes fiercely resisted. Its resistance was so famed that [[Ya'qub bin Laith as-Saffar|Yaqub Saffari]] (840-879) from [[Zaranj]] made an example of Ghazni when he ranged the vast region conquering in the name of Islam. The city was completely destroyed by the [[Saffarids]] in 869.<ref>Nancy Hatch Dupree - Chapter 9 (Ghazni), ''An Historical Guide to Afghanistan''</ref> A substantial portion of the local population including Hindus and Buddhists were converted to Islam by Mahmud of Ghazni<ref>''The Wonder that was India II'' by S A Rizvi; published by Picador India; page 16</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2017}}
[[File:Ghazni_province_in_April_2010.jpg|left|thumb|250x250px|View of the Old Ghazni City]]
[[File:Ghazni-Minaret.jpg|thumb|214x214px|The minaret of [[Ghazni]], built by [[Bahram Shah]] during the [[Ghaznavids|Ghaznavid Empire]]]]
{{blockquote|"There is no evidence that Ghazna had previously formed part of the [[Samanids|Samanid kingdom]]. It had been previously overrun with the whole of [[Zabulistan]] and [[Kabulistan|Kabul]] by the [[Saffarid dynasty|Saffari]]s by 260 (873) but it is doubtful how far their power was permanent and even when the Samanids became paramount there is no evidence that Kabul or Ghazna were under them. The ruler of Ghazna is described as ''Padshah'' and was allied to the [[Hindu Shahi|Hindushahis of Kabul]]. These titles were not as yet used by the Muhammadan rulers. The Padshah [[Abu Ali Lawik|Lavik]] was probably a Hindu chief even though some passages in the Tabakth i Nisiri give him the name of ''Abu Bakr or Abu Ali''."<ref>E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936, Volume 2 By Martijn Theodoor Houtsma; page 154</ref>}}

After the rebuilding of the city by Yaqub's brother, it became the dazzling capital of the [[Ghaznavids]] from 994 to 1160, encompassing much of [[North India]], [[Iran|Persia]] and [[Central Asia]]. Many iconoclastic campaigns were launched from Ghazni into India. The Ghaznavids took Islam to India and returned with fabulous riches taken from both prince and temple god. Contemporary visitors and residents at Ghazni write with wonder of the ornateness of the buildings, the great libraries, the sumptuousness of the court ceremonies and of the wealth of precious objects owned by Ghazni's citizens.

[[Ferishta]] records attacks by [[Muhammad of Ghor]]: "at the same time most of the infidels who inhabited the mountains between Ghazni and the Indus were also converted, some by force and others by persuasion."<ref>''Ferishta'' translated by John Briggs; p. 104.</ref>{{primary source inline|date=December 2017}} Ghazni's eponymous capital was razed in 1151 by the [[Ghurids|Ghorid]] Alauddin. It again flourished but only to be permanently devastated, this time in 1221 by [[Genghis Khan]] and his [[Mongols|Mongol armies]] after 6 years of [[Khwarezmid Empire|Khwarezmid]] rule. Ghazni's strategic position, both economically and militarily, assured its revival initially under the [[Qarlughids]], albeit without its dazzling former grandeur.

Ghazni is famous for its [[minaret]]s built on a stellar plan. They date from the middle of the twelfth century and are the surviving element of the mosque of Bahramshah. Their sides are decorated with geometric patterns. Upper sections of the minarets have been damaged or destroyed. The most important mausoleum located in Ghazni is that of [[Mahmud of Ghazni|Sultan Mahmud's]]. Others include the tombs of poets and scientists, for example [[Al-Biruni]] and [[Sanai]]. The only ruins in Old Ghazni retaining a semblance of architectural form are two towers, about 43&nbsp;m (140&nbsp;ft) high and some 365&nbsp;m (1,200&nbsp;ft) apart. According to inscriptions, the towers were constructed by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] and his son.

[[Ibn Battuta]] noted "The greater part of the town is in ruins, with nothing but a fraction of it still standing, although it was formerly a great city."<ref>{{cite book|title=The Travels of Ibn Battutah|last1=Battutah|first1=Ibn|date=2002|publisher=Picador|isbn=9780330418799|location=London|pages=146–147}}</ref>

[[Babur]] records in his [[Baburnama|memoirs]] that Ghazni was part of Zabulistan.<ref>Babur-Nama Translated from the original Turki Text of Zahirud'd-din Muhammad BABUR padshah Ghazi by Annette Susannah Beveridge Vol1 and 11 Published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, p. 217.</ref> The area was controlled by the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] until [[Nader Shah]] and his Persian forces invaded it in 1738. [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] conquered Ghazni in 1747 and made it part of the [[Durrani Empire]]. During the [[First Anglo-Afghan War]], the capital of Ghazni province was destroyed by the [[British Raj|British-led Indian forces]] in the [[Battle of Ghazni]].

In the 1960s a 15-meter female Buddha was discovered lying on its back and surrounded by empty pillars that once held rows of smaller male Buddhas. Parts of the female Buddha have been stolen. In the 1980s a mud brick shelter was created to protect the sculpture, but the wood supports were stolen for firewood and the shelter partially collapsed.

=== Recent history ===
[[File:Operacja_Passage_Afganistan.jpg|thumb|[[Poland|Polish]] forces in [[Rashidan District|Rashidan district]] during "Operation Passage" in April 2009.]]
[[File:Defense.gov_photo_essay_120428-A-3108M-007.jpg|thumb|U.S. paratroopers and [[Afghan National Army|Afghan soldiers]] move into a village during a combined patrol in 2012.]]
Since the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|US-led invasion of Afghanistan]] in October 2001, there has been a [[Provincial Reconstruction Team|Provincial reconstruction base]] and a [[International Security Assistance Force|NATO forces]] base. These western forces (mostly [[Polish Armed Forces]]) were hunting Taliban and [[al-Qaida]] militants, who were active in the area.

Like many southern Afghan provinces, Ghazni has a precarious security situation. The [[Taliban insurgency|Taliban insurgents]] are found in the rural areas outside of the capital, and are involved in attacks on provincial schools and government infrastructure. The province has avoided the outright warfare seen in other provinces of Afghanistan such as [[Helmand Province|Helmand]] and [[Kandahar Province|Kandahar]], but that is due more to political expediency and the tactical plans of the [[NATO]]-led [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] force than the existence of a stable security situation in the province. Ex-Governor [[Taj Mohammad Wardak|Taj Mohammad]] was killed by insurgents in 2006 after being appointed police chief of the province with a mandate to quell the power of the Taliban. On the same day there was an unsuccessful attempt on the life of the governor at the time, [[Sher Alam Ibrahimi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060316/afghanistan_governor_060318?s_name=&no_ads=|title=Afghanistan militants kill former governor|publisher=Ctv.ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611034056/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060316/afghanistan_governor_060318?s_name=&no_ads=|archive-date=2007-06-11|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref> There is a Polish and American [[Provincial Reconstruction Team]] base located in Ghazni.

* In late April 2007, news agencies reported that Taliban fighters had taken control of Giro District in the province.  The Taliban reportedly killed the district administrator, chief of police (who had been on the job for only one month) and three police officers.  The Taliban withdrew from the district center one day later.
* In July 2007, [[2007 Taliban-seized South Korean hostage crisis|23 South Korean volunteers were kidnapped]] in the province by the Taliban.
* On September 28, 2010, the Deputy Governor of Ghazni and five others were killed after a suicide bomber on a motorized rickshaw attacked their vehicle. Deputy Governor Mohammad Kazim Allahyar and several men travelling with him were killed instantly when the attacker detonated his explosives at the back of their car near the airport in Ghazni City. The bodies were so badly burnt that there was some confusion about the identity of the other victims. Provincial police chief Delawar Zahid reported Allahyar's son, nephew and driver died, along with two civilians passing by on a bicycle.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE68R0M020100928|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715131225/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE68R0M020100928|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Suicide bomb kills Afghan vice-governor|date=September 28, 2010|work=Reuters}}</ref>
* As of 26 September 2014, there is ongoing fighting in key districts between the Taliban and [[Afghan National Security Forces]] (ANSF).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-fighters-storm-strategic-districts-in-ghazni-province/26607299.html|title=Taliban Storms Key Afghan District|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|access-date=2021-11-08|archive-date=2021-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108114448/https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-fighters-storm-strategic-districts-in-ghazni-province/26607299.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29375436|title=Taliban seize strategic Afghan district in Ghazni province|work=BBC News|date=September 26, 2014|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108114447/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29375436|url-status=live}}</ref>
* After steady gains by the Taliban across the province in 2017 and early 2018 the [[Battle of Ghazni (2018)|Battle of Ghazni]] took place in August 2018.

== Districts ==
[[File:Ghazni Map (399 set).svg|thumb|Ghazni District Map]]
[[File:Ghazni districts.png|thumb|250px|Former districts of Ghazni (2005)]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Districts of Ghazni Province
!District
!Capital
!Population (2020)
!Area in km<sup>2</sup>
!Pop.<br />density
!Ethnic composition
|-
|[[Ab Band District|Ab Band]]
|[[Haji Khel]]
| 31,089
| 991
| 31
|99% Pashtun, 1% [[Tajiks|Tajik]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 20/12/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Ab Band |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/ab_band.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027173343/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/ab_band.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Ajristan District|Ajristan]]
|[[Sangar, Afghanistan|Sangar]]
| 32,550
| 1,461
| 22
|97% Pashtun, 3% Hazara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 15/10/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Ajristan |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/ajristan.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027174508/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/ajristan.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Andar District|Andar]]
|[[Miray]]
| 140,963
| 681
| 207
|100% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 17/02/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Andar |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/andar.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027171325/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/andar.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Dih Yak District|Deh Yak]]
|[[Ramak]]
| 55,269
| 709
| 78
|89% Hazara, 11% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 5/4/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Dehyak |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/dih_yak.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027173418/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/dih_yak.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Gelan District|Gelan]]
|[[Janda, Afghanistan|Janda]]
| 65,366
| 1,116
| 59
|100% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 15/10/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Gelan |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/gelan.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027171400/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/gelan.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Ghazni District|Ghazni]]
|[[Ghazni]]
| 186,706
| 380
| 491
|50% Tajik, 25% Hazara, 25% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 4/4/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Chazni Centre |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/ghazni_city.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027182649/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/ghazni_city.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= National Geographic Magazine|url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0311/feature2/images/mp_download.2.pdf |access-date=2024-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912083622/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0311/feature2/images/mp_download.2.pdf |archive-date=2017-09-12 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Giro District|Giro]]
|[[Pana, Afghanistan|Pana]]
| 41,319
| 878
| 47
|100% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 11 September 2002, Province: Ghazni District: Giro |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/D_Giro.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027172020/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/D_Giro.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Jaghori District|Jaghori]]
|[[Sang-e-Masha]]
| 199,553
| 1,965
| 102
|100% [[Hazaras|Hazara]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 30/07/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Jaghori |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/jaghori.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027173520/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/jaghori.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Jaghatu District, Ghazni|Jaghatū]]
|[[Gulbawri]]
| 35,871
| 696
| 52
|73% Hazara, 27% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 24/06/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Jaghatu |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/jaghatu.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027173444/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/jaghatu.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Khogyani District (Ghazni)|Khogyani]]
|[[Khogyani, Ghazni|Khogyani]]
| 22,719
| 147
| 155
|99% Pashtun, 1% Hazara and Tajik.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 07/03/2003 Province: Ghazni, District: Khugiani |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/khugiani.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027174538/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/khugiani.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Khwaja Umari District|Khwaja Umari]]
|[[Khwaja Umari, Afghanistan|Kwaja Umari]]
| 21,390
| 176
| 122
|45% Hazara, 35% [[Tajiks|Tajik]], 20% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 31/07/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Khwaja Omari |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/khwaja_omari.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027183748/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/khwaja_omari.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Malistan District|Malistan]]
|[[Mir Adina]]
| 100,000
| 1,978
| 47
|100% Hazara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Field Office Ghazni DISTRICT PROFILE 24/02/2003 Province: Ghazni, District: Malistan |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/malistan.pdf |url-status=dead |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027174608/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/malistan.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Muqur District, Ghazni|Muqur]]
|[[Muqur, Ghazni|Muqur]]
| 56,863
| 931
| 61
|99% Pashtun, 1% [[Tajiks|Tajik]] and Hazara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 24/06/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Moqur |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/moqur.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027171432/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/moqur.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Nawa District|Nawa]]
|[[Nawa, Afghanistan|Nawa]]
| 33,613
| 1,753
| 19
|100% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 31/07/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Nawa |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/nawa.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027170901/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/nawa.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Nawur District|Nawur]]
|[[Du Abi]]
| 106,952
| 5,097
| 21
|100% Hazara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 4/4/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Nawur |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/nawur.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027171505/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/nawur.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Qarabagh District, Ghazni|Qarabagh]]
|[[Qarabagh, Afghanistan|Qarabagh]]
| 161,424
| 1,690
| 96
|55% Pashtun, 45% Hazara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 23/06/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Qarabagh |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/qarabagh.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027174636/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/qarabagh.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Rashidan District|Rashidan]]
|Rashidan
| 20,328
| 98
| 208
|96% Pashtun, 4% Hazara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 23/05/02 Province: Ghazni, District: Rashidan |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/rashidan.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027174702/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/rashidan.pdf |archive-date=2005-10-27 |access-date=2023-06-16 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Waghaz District|Waghaz]]
|[[Waghaz (town)|Waghaz]]
| 43,578
| 512
| 85
| Predominantly Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Provincial profile for Ghazni |url=https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1098341/1222_1197552083_ghazni-provincial-profile.pdf |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ecoi.net |publisher=Regional Rural Economic Regeneration Strategies (RRERS)}}</ref>
|-
|[[Zana Khan District|Zana Khan]]
|[[Dado, Afghanistan|Dado]]
| 14,215
| 284
| 50
|100% Pashtun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region DISTRICT PROFILE 17/02/2002 Province: Ghazni, District: Zanakhan |url=http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/zana_khan.pdf |url-status=live |website=www.aims.org.af|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007070150/http://www.aims.org.af/afg/dist_profiles/unhcr_district_profiles/centra/ghazni/zana_khan.pdf |archive-date=2006-10-07 }}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#d3d3d3"
|'''Ghazni'''
|
|'''1,362,504'''
|'''22,461'''
|'''61'''
| 45% [[Hazaras]], 45% [[Pashtuns]], 7.4% [[Tajiks]], 0.7% [[Hinduism in Afghanistan|Hindus]], and 1.9% Others.{{refn|group=note|Note: "Predominantely" or "dominated" is interpreted as 99%, "majority" as 70%, "mixed" as 1/(number of ethnicities), "minority" as 30% and "few" or "some" as 1%.}}
|}
{{reflist|group=note}}

== Healthcare ==
{{Further|Health in Afghanistan}}

[[File:Ghazni PRT brings medical care and winter clothes to Nawa District DVIDS74212.jpg|thumb|Ghazni PRT brings medical care and winter clothes to Nawa District.]]

The percentage of households with clean drinking water fell from 35% in 2005 to 18% in 2011.<ref name="cimicweb.org">Archive, Civil Military Fusion Centre,  {{cite web|url=https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Ghazni.aspx|title=Pages - Ghazni|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105659/https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Ghazni.aspx|archive-date=2014-05-31|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-05-30}}</ref> 
The percentage of births attended to by a skilled birth attendant increased from 7% in 2005 to 11% in 2011.<ref name="cimicweb.org" />

== Education ==
{{Further|Education in Afghanistan}}
The overall literacy rate (6+ years of age) fell from 35% in 2005 to 31% in 2011.<ref name="cimicweb.org" />
The overall net enrolment rate (6–13 years of age) increased from 39% in 2005 to 54% in 2011.<ref name="cimicweb.org" />

== Demographics ==
[[File:Afghan_girls_from_Ghazni_province.jpg|thumb|Schoolgirls in Ghazni province]]

As of 2020, the total population of the province is about 1,386,764,<ref name=nsia>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A2%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B3-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%DB%B1%DB%B3%DB%B9%DB%B9-%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AE%DB%80-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84.pdf |title=Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21 |publisher=Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, National Statistics and Information Authority |access-date=6 June 2021 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703171906/https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A2%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B3-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%DB%B1%DB%B3%DB%B9%DB%B9-%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AE%DB%80-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> which is multi-ethnic and mostly a tribal society. Ethnically, Ghazni is composed mainly of [[Hazaras]] and [[Pashtuns]], which both make up about 45% of the population each. Hazaras live mainly in the north and west, while the Pashtuns live mainly in the south and east. [[Tajiks]] make up only about 5% of the whole province's population, but are the main ethnic group of the capital city [[Ghazni]] at about 50% there. Also, there is a small community of [[Hindus]].<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/Docs/Executive%20Summaries/Ghazni_Exec_Summ.pdf|title=Ghazni Province|work=Program for Culture & Conflict Studies|publisher=[[Naval Postgraduate School]]|access-date=2013-06-16|archive-date=2012-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920185419/http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/Docs/Executive%20Summaries/Ghazni_Exec_Summ.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary occupation of the citizens of Ghazni. Wheat, alfalfa, melons, and almonds are among the largest crops produced.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

== Infrastructure ==
[[File:Band E Sardeh Dam of Andar, Ghazni, Afghanistan March 2012.jpg|thumb|The [[Sardeh Band Dam]] in 2012]]
The [[Sardeh Band Dam]] is located in Andar District near the border with [[Paktika Province]]. It creates a large water reservoir that is critical to the irrigation of the Kahnjoor farming zone. The dam itself and the canal system it feeds both need repairs and maintenance.

Governor [[Musa Khan Ahmadzai|Musa Khan Akbarzada]] stated that key development projects would be launched in southern Ghazni in 2012 ahead of the Asian capital of the Islamic civilization for 2013. The projects include the construction of a proposed Islamic cultural center, a mosque, a covered bazaar, a gymnasium, a guesthouse, an airport, a five-star hotel and two 27 story-buildings and others. More than 2,000 people would find work opportunities on the $30 million projects; $10 million would be provided by the central government, $7 million by the Polish [[provincial reconstruction team]] (PRT) and $3 million by the US. A 40-kilometer road would be asphalted by the end of 2012.

Ghazni province is to be connected to the national electrical distribution system via North-east Power System (NEPS). The construction of the transmission line would begin from east Chimtala to Ghazni using a high voltage transmission network (2 x 220kV transmission lines and [[power substation]]s). The project is to be implemented by [[USFOR-A]] and [[USAID]] costing $101 million. However, the [[Asian Development Bank]] agreed to complete the transmission line from Chimtala to Dast-i-Barchi; hence reducing the Project scope to begin from Dast-i-Barchi instead of Chimtala. The implementation of this project was delayed due to [[USACE]] being unable to award a contract because bids received for the project were more than double the estimated costs, due largely to security concerns resulting from the risks associated with implementing firm-fixed-price contracts in a kinetic environment, poor cost estimates, and unrealistic periods of performance. USACE is re-procuring both projects and plans to award contracts in June or July 2012, which will delay the project's execution schedules between 6 and 15 months. Furthermore, the delays in transferring funds contributed to delays in project execution. This line is a key part of a planned NEPS to SEPS connection to transport power to Kandahar to replace the expensive diesel-fueled power plants.

=== Transportation ===
{{Further|Transport in Afghanistan}}
The [[Kabul–Kandahar Highway]] runs through the province.

The [[Ghazni Airport]] began operations in April 2012 but does not have any commercial flights as of August 2018. Residents in neighboring provinces, such as Logar, Paktika, Maidan Shahr and Zabul, would also benefit from the airport.

== Natural resources ==
{{for|the Mine|Zarkashan Mine}}
Recent geologic surveys have indicated Ghazni may have one of the world's richest deposits of [[lithium]]. [[Gold]] and [[copper]] were also found in the [[Zarkashan Mine]] of Ghazni province with an estimated value of US$30 billion. Whilst lithium deposits valued at around US$60 billion, were discovered in four eastern and western provinces of Afghanistan, together with other newly (2010) discovered mineral deposits, the total value estimate of US$3 trillion is based on a survey of 30 percent of the country's land mass.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-29/u-s-afghan-study-finds-mineral-deposits-worth-3-trillion.html|title=U.S., Afghan Study Finds Mineral Deposits Worth $3 Trillion|last=Najafizada|first=Eltaf|date=January 29, 2011|work=Bloomberg|access-date=2017-03-07|archive-date=2017-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203073638/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-29/u-s-afghan-study-finds-mineral-deposits-worth-3-trillion.html/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{cmn|colwidth=20em|rules=yes|
* [[Abu Bakr Lawik]]
* [[Abu Ali Lawik]]
* [[Ali Hujwiri]]
* [[Hassan Ghaznavi]]
* [[Mahmud of Ghazni]]
* [[Azad Khan Afghan]]
* [[Gholam Mohammad Niazi]]
* [[Nur Muhammad Taraki]]
* [[Abdul Ahad Mohmand]]
* [[Faiz Muhammad Kateb]]
* [[Aziz Royesh]]
* [[Farrukhi Sistani]]
* [[Manuchehri Damghani]]
* [[Abolfazl Beyhaqi]]
* [[Hakim Sanai]]
* [[Muhammad Shah]]
* [[Bhai Nand Lal]]
* [[Sohaila Sharifi]]
}}

== See also ==
* [[Ghazni]]
* [[Maidan Wardak Province]]
* [[Provinces of Afghanistan]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
*{{YouTube|cKbL3A0M7d4|On the Road - Ghazni Province Season 1 (Dari)}}, Feb 8, 2012, [[TOLO (TV channel)|TOLO]]/USAIDAfghanistan.
* [http://www.nps.edu/programs/ccs/Ghazni.html Ghazni Province] by the [[Naval Postgraduate School]]
* [http://www.understandingwar.org/region/regional-command-east#Ghazni Ghazni Province] by the [[Institute for the Study of War]]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141107165240/http://www.mrrd-nabdp.org/attachments/article/234/Ghazni%20Provincial%20Profile.pdf Ghazni Provincial Profile]}} by the Afghan [[Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development]]
* [http://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/country-info/Province-agriculture-profiles/ghazni/Ghazni.pdf Regional Rural Economic Regeneration Strategies (RRERS): Provincial profile for Ghazni, Afghan Agriculture site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305053836/http://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/country-info/Province-agriculture-profiles/ghazni/Ghazni.pdf |date=2016-03-05 }}

{{Geographic location|Centre=Ghazni Province|North=[[Bamyan Province]]|Northeast=[[Wardak Province]]|East=[[Logar Province]]<br>[[Paktia Province]]|Southeast=[[Paktika Province]]|South=|Southwest=[[Zabul Province]]|West=[[Urozgan Province]]|Northwest=[[Daykundi Province]]}}

{{Provinces of Afghanistan}}
{{Ghazni Province}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ghazni Province| ]]
[[Category:Hazarajat]]
[[Category:Provinces of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Provinces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan]]