Ghazni Province is located in eastern Afghanistan bordering Pakistan with a population of 1,372,330 and an area of 12,663 square miles. Ghazni town is famous as the capital of the Ghaznavid Empire (977-1186 CE). The population is largely Tajik. Ghazni had one of six provincial museums before the Soviet regime, during which time fighting in the provinces necessitated the transferring of some of the artifacts to Kabul. It now needs complete restoration. The minaret of Bahram Shah (1118-1152 CE) and the palace of Sultan Masood III are two of the Ghazni’s best-known monuments. Excavations at Tapa Sardar have revealed statues representing both Hindu and Buddhist religious presence.