Balkh

Balkh (also known as Wazirabad), town in northern Afghanistan, in Balkh Province, on the Balkh River, near Mazār-e Sharīf. Although Balkh is now a small town, in ancient times it rivaled such cities as Nineveh and Babylon in population and wealth. The Persian religious prophet Zoroaster reputedly died within the city walls. Known as Bactra, it was the capital of Bactria, a province of the Persian Empire, from the 6th to the 4th century BC. Several important commercial routes passed through the city, extending as far east as India and China. Bactra was conquered by the forces of Alexander the Great in 328 BC and became the capital of the Greek kingdom of Bactria about 256 BC. It was sacked by Mongol conquerer Genghis Khan and his armies in 1221 and by the forces of Turkic conqueror Tamerlane in the 14th century. After the 18th century it was held by various rulers before coming under the control of the Afghans in 1950. Impressive remains of past civilizations can be seen in and near the town. Population (estimated) 10,000.