BALKH

Balkh, today only a small town, is very famous for its glorious past. Zoroaster preached here sometime between 1000 and 600. Rites celebrated at the shrine to Anahita, Goddess of the Oxus, attracted thousands during the 5th Century and Alexander the Great chose it for his base in the 4th Century B. C. Under the Kushans, when Buddhism was practiced throughout Afghanistan, many holy temples flourished in Balkh. The Arabs called Balkh the mother of cities. By the 9th Century, during the rule of the Samanid Dynasty, about 40 Friday Mosques stood within the city.
Picture of The Madressa (College) of Sayid Subhan Quli Khan.

Note: Unfortunately, most of these historical sites were severely damaged by two decades of war and armed conflicts in Afghanistan.