and artistic activities in the Islamic era. Since Afghanistan has a rich literary identity, folklore and traditional custom songs reveal centuries-old as well as modern Afghan literature. Afghan literature has its roots in Dari, Pashto, Arabic, and Turkic languages as they were extensively used in the medieval period. Afghan rulers such as the Samanid Empire, the Ghaznavids, the Timurids, and the Mughal Empire, were highly influenced by Persian literature. They encouraged and supported the writers such as Rumi, Jami, Rudaki, Ferdowsi, and Khwaja Abdullah Ansari for writing in Persian language. Epic poem, Shahnameh by Firdawsi is regarded as one of the important works, while Rumi is regarded as one of the greatest poets in Afghan literature who shaped Persian literature. However, his writings were later translated into English. Colonial literature Because of the large immigration to other countries in the 16th to 18th centuries, the articulation of ideals, and the early establishment of literary institutions and learning environments outside the country have often been regarded as the center of early Afghan literature. During those centuries, many literary figures originated in the undivided region, but following the partition between Mughal empire and Safavid dynasty, several poets, including Khushal Khattak moved to literary centres. Khattak lived in the Hindu Kush mountain range. By the late 19th century, Pakhtuns sung poetry with music for making it identical to ghazals, a classical Urdu genre. Literary, Afghan, Turkic, and Pashto literature share identical traditions, and are collectively recognised as Persian literature, however, Afghanistan's literature is a distinct one which has its own traditions and customs of writing system, and oral-formulaic composition in particular. Modern literature In the 20th century, Kabul, the capital of the country became the center for literary figures and publishing. Mahmud Tarzi was the editor of Seraj al Akhbar, Kabul's first literary newspaper circulated from 1911 to 1919. He is often known for his contribution for the development of modern literary environment. Over the past decades, Afghanistan produced several literary figures including Khalilullah Khalili and Sayed Buhaniddin Majruh. Khalili is referred to as "Renaissance man" for his contribution to modern literature. Mahmud Tarzi was actively involved in promoting Pashto as a national language and providing information and news through Seraj al Akhbar newspaper. During that period, Seraj ul Akhbar played significant role in modernising Afghan society through its articles. A French novelist Jules Verne, also translated the work into foreign language. He