Afghanistan has a variety of rugs in their collection, some of which are quite famous and their designs have been incorporated through other cultural influences. Examples of these are Khal Mohammedi, Hachaloo (four gates of paradise), Khunduz, and the newly created Kargai rugs.
Their designs originated from Herat, in the western part of Afghanistan, which has a history of over two thousand five hundred years and was once occupied by Alexander the Great, and subsequently invaded by Mongols led by Genghis Khan and then Tamerlan in the 13th century. Herat was considered part of the Persian Empire, and the Persian influence in carpet making in Herat is still seen.