The city competed with Herat as a center of Ghurid art, literature, and theology. In 1199, the Ghurid sultan, Ghiyath al-Din, ordered the empire to abandon the Karramiyya sect of Islam in favor of Shafi'i law. This decision was unpopular with the city's residents and led to riots.
The city and Herat were both significant centers for Ghurid art, literature, and theology. In 1199, Sultan Ghiyath al-Din decreed that the empire should abandon the Karramiyya sect of Islam in favor of Shafi'i law. This decision was unpopular among the city's residents and caused unrest.