Which of the following best explains the reason that made Qandhar strategically important for the Mughals?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) It controlled key land routes between Kabul and Herat and acted as a fortified military outpost.
• Qandhar (Kandahar) held immense strategic and military importance as it connected India with Central Asia and Persia via Afghanistan.
• Control over Qandhar ensured dominance over northwestern frontiers and major trade routes.
Information Booster:
• Captured by Humayun (1539), later lost to Persia (1649).
• Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan fought multiple campaigns for Qandhar.
• It served as a buffer zone against Persian and Uzbek invasions.
• The city linked Kabul–Herat–Isfahan trade routes.
• Shah Jahan’s attempts to recapture Qandhar failed due to Persian strength.
Additional Knowledge:
• Qandhar was vital for controlling Silk Route trade.
• Mughals fortified it to secure northwestern borders.
• In Persian wars, it was contested between the Safavids and Mughals.
• Today, Qandhar lies in modern Afghanistan, retaining its historical military relevance.