Herat

Herat

Herat is the third largest city of Afghanistan, after Kabul and Kandahar, which serves as the capital of the Herat Province. Situated in the fertile valley of the Hari River, Herat was historically an important stage town of the Silk Road.

History

While the city became famous after its conquest by Alexander the Great, it is actually far older, dating to at least the time of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. The city is known for its citadel, which was built circa 330 BCE, when Alexander conquered the Achaemenid Empire, including the territory of modern-day Afghanistan.

The citadel was constructed atop the remains of an ancient Isu temple; a fact Alexander was likely aware of, as he was believed to have discovered the temple and built the citadel to conceal its existence. Since then, Herat and its citadel served as a military stronghold for many empires for over two millennia.

In 1841, the British Rite of the Templar Order under the command of Master Templar William Sleeman became aware of the Herat Temple's existence and occupied the citadel to search for the site. In response, the local Afghans besieged the fortress, resulting in an all-out battle between them and the British soldiers. The Indian Assassin Arbaaz Mir, who also hoped to access the Herat Temple, used the battle as a distraction and opened the citadel's gates.

With the British garrison overwhelmed by the sudden Afghan assault, Arbaaz was able to infiltrate the temple and make his way to its central pedestal. However, before he could activate it, he was surrounded by Sleeman and his guards, who held the Assassin at gunpoint, forcing him to surrender. The Templars subsequently took their prisoner to the Katasraj Temple in Pakistan, where Alexander Burnes was ordered to guard him while Sleeman worked to suppress the Afghan uprising in Herat.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India