Old Kandahar (locally known as
Zorr Shaar; , meaning "Old City") is a historical section of the city of
Kandahar in southern
Afghanistan. Its
foundation was laid out by
Alexander the Great in 330 BC and served as the local seat of power for many rulers in the last 2,000 years. It became part of many empires, including the
Mauryans (322 BC–185 BC),
Indo-Scythians (200 BC–400 AD),
Sassanids,
Arabs,
Zunbils,
Saffarids,
Ghaznavids,
Ghorids,
Timurids,
Mughals,
Safavids,
Hotakis and others. It was one of the main cities of
Arachosia, a historical region sitting between
Greater Iran and the
Indus Valley Civilization. The city has been a frequent target for conquest because of its strategic location in
Southern Asia, controlling the main trade route linking the
Indian subcontinent with the
Middle East,
Central Asia and the
Persian Gulf.