Balkh

Balkh, a country and its capital in Central Asia, lying N. of the Hindu Koosh mountains and S. of the river Oxus, and having a length of 250 miles and a breadth of 120 miles. As the ancient kingdom of Bactria, the country was of importance in remote times. It was subsequently incorporated with Afghanistan, and is now subject to the Khan of Bokhara. The city is on the Ardisish river, about 30 miles south of the Oxus, and near the site of the former capital, which had a circuit of 20 miles and rivalled Nineveh and Babylon. Zoroaster is said to have been born here, and it was a great centre of Buddhism. The inhabitants at present are Afghans and Jews.