Reflection on the Contributions of Ghaznavid Dynasty to the Islamic Civilization of Central Asia and Afghanistan (963-1187)

Abstract

The area that is now Afghanistan and Central Asia has had a substantial impact on the history of civilization in the region. It is significant to note that one of the remarkable dynasties that greatly influenced Central Asian and Afghan Islamic civilization was the Ghaznavid (963–1187). Though this dynasty could not maintain control for lengthy periods, they left a wonderful legacy, especially in the sphere of Islamic civilization, particularly under Mahmud I. Several monuments, gardens, kiosks, and palaces in several cities, most notably in Ghazna, Lahore, Bust or Qala-i-Bust, Bukhara, and Merv, show the splendor of the Ghaznavids in various aspects of civilization, such as architecture, art and literature, philosophy, history, and education. In fact, the Turkish Ghaznavids were largely absorbed into the Perso-Islamic culture after adopting Persian administrative and cultural practices. Thus, Ghaznavids played a premier part culturally and politically in the Islamic civilization of Central Asia and Afghanistan. This paper intends to analyze the major contributions of the Ghaznavid dynasty to the several fields of Islamic civilization in central Asia and Afghanistan that help to shape the present cultural identity there.