What Is a Ghazni Rug? Ghazni Wool, Designs, Prices and How to Choose

Silky to the touch, with a soft glow that changes as you walk around it: a Ghazni rug is one of the most quietly luxurious hand-knotted rugs you can own. In Japan these rugs are also called ガズニン絨毯. This guide explains what a Ghazni rug is, what makes Ghazni wool special, and how to choose one for your home.

Where does the name come from?

Ghazni is a historic city and province in the highlands of eastern Afghanistan, south-west of Kabul. The city stands at more than 2,000 metres and was once the capital of the Ghaznavid empire, which ruled from Persia to northern India a thousand years ago. Sheep raised in this high, dry country grow a long, lustrous fleece rich in lanolin, the natural oil in wool. Spun into yarn, it becomes Ghazni wool, and rugs knotted from it are called Ghazni rugs. You may also see the name written as Ghazni, Ghaznin or Gazni.

What makes Ghazni wool special

• Natural sheen: the long fibres reflect light, so the rug looks lighter from one side and deeper from the other. This is the effect people describe as a silk-like glow.
• Softness: the fine, long staple makes a smooth, even pile that feels good underfoot and to sit on.
• Durability: lanolin repels dirt and moisture for a moment before they are absorbed, and the springy fibre recovers from the weight of furniture.

Designs you will see

Ghazni rugs are not defined by a single pattern. The same wool is woven in many styles:

• Classical florals and medallions inspired by Persian designs, often in soft, muted tones.
• Garden and Shikargah (hunting) designs, with animals, trees and panels.
• Modern near-plain pieces in ivory, greige, sage or charcoal, where the sheen of the wool is the design.

Ghazni, Gabbeh or Persian?

How much does a Ghazni rug cost?

These are RUGINZA's prices as of October 2026.

Price follows the fineness of the knotting, the complexity of the design and the size. For a comparison with other types, see our rug price guide.

How to choose a Ghazni rug

• Size: for a 6 tatami room, about 3 tatami (around 200×250cm); for an 8 tatami room, about 4.5 tatami (around 200×300cm).
• Light: look at photos from both ends. A Ghazni rug will look lighter with the pile and richer against it, so decide which way it will face your window.
• Colour: pale ivory and greige pieces make a room feel larger; sage and slate suit modern interiors; madder and rust bring warmth.

Care

Vacuum on a low setting without a rotating brush, in the direction of the pile. Turn the rug every six months so it wears and fades evenly, blot spills straight away with a dry cloth, and leave deep cleaning to a specialist in hand-knotted rugs.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Ghazni rug the same as a Gabbeh?

No. Gabbeh is a style with a thick, shaggy pile and simple designs. Ghazni refers to the wool and the region, and Ghazni rugs have a smoother, more lustrous pile and a much wider range of designs.

Why does my Ghazni rug look like two different colours?

That is the sheen of the wool. Looking along the direction of the pile the rug appears lighter; looking against it, deeper. It is a sign of good, lustrous wool.

Ghazni rugs at RUGINZA

Every Ghazni rug we sell is hand-knotted in Afghanistan and one of a kind, with its exact size in centimetres and tatami on the product page.

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