Kabul has existed for at least 3,500 years. It became an important city long ago because of its location. In pre-Islamic times Buddhism flourished in the region. Despite earlier Muslim raids, Islam began to be established only in the 9th century under the Saffarid dynasty of Sistan (r,867-c.1495).
The Mongols under Genghis Khan overran the country in the 13th century and his descent Babur (1483-1530) later made Kabul the headquarters for the Mughal invasion and conquest of India.
Babur created numerous gardens, such as the quartered Bagh-I Vafa (Garden of Fidelity) to the south of the city overlooking the river.
In 1738 Kabul was captured by the Afsharid ruler Nadir Shah on his way to India, but after his death it passed to Ahmad Shah Durrani of Qandahar. In the 1770s Afghanistan became an independent city with Kabul as it capital.
City of Kabul
