Ghazni, historically known as
Ghaznayn (ØēØ˛ŲŲŲ) or
Ghazna (ØēØ˛ŲŲ), also transliterated as
Ghuznee, and anciently known as
Alexandria in Opiana, is a city in southeastern Afghanistan with a population of around 190,000 people. The city is strategically located along Highway 1, which has served as the main road between Kabul and Kandahar for thousands of years. Situated on a plateau at 2,219 metres (7,280 ft) above sea level, the city is 150 kilometres (93 mi) south of Kabul and is the capital of Ghazni Province. The name Ghazni drives from the Persian word "ganj", meaning 'treasure'.