Laghman Province

Laghman لغمان
—  Province  —
The location of Laghman Province within Afghanistan
Coordinates: 34.66°N 70.20°E / 34.66; 70.20
Country	Afghanistan
Capital	Mehtar Lam
Area
• Total	3,843 km2 (1,483.8 sq mi)
Population (2008)
• Total	382,280
• Density	99.5/km2 (257.6/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+4:30
Main languages	(Dari)[Pashto]

Laghman (Persian/Pashto: لغمان ) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern portion of Afghanistan, its capital is Mehtar Lam.

History

Buddhism

Illustration of Xuan Zang who traveled to Laghman

During the invasions of Alexander the Great, the area was known as Lampaka. In the seventh century, Xuan Zang, visited the area and reported that "very few" of the inhabitants of Laghman followed Buddhism, while some followed Hinduism.

Laghman was a centre of Mahayanist Buddhism and Huen Tsang records.

In the country of Lampa (Laghman) there were about 10 Buddhist monasteries.

Islam

After the introduction of Islam into the region, the Ghaznavids, led by Abu Mansur Sebük Tigin, won one of their greatest battles in Laghman against the Hindu Shahis whose ruler, Jayapala, had amassed an army for the battle that numbered 100,000. Later, during the Mughal era, Laghman was recognized as a dependent district of Kabul province.

Located currently at the Kabul Museum are Aramaic inscriptions that were found in Laghman which indicated an ancient trade route from India to Palmyra. Aramaic was the bureaucratic script language of the Achaemenids whose influence had extended toward Laghman.

During the Soviet-Afghan war and the battles that followed between the rivaling warlords, many homes and business establishments in the province were destroyed. In addition, the Soviets employed a "barbarism" strategy that targeted and destroyed the agricultural infrastructure of Laghman.

As of 2007, an International Security Assistance Force Provincial Reconstruction Team led by the United States is based at Mehtar Lam.

Economy

Spodumene gemstones like these are often found in various areas within Laghman

The Alingar and Alinshang rivers pass through Laghman, as the province is known for its lushness. Laghman has sizable amounts of irrigated land as one can find scores of fruits and vegetables from Laghman in Kabul, notably cucumbers. Other main crops in Laghman include rice, wheat and cotton as many people living in the area are involved in agricultural trade and business.

Laghman also has an array of precious stones and minerals, as it is well known for being a relatively untapped source of the Tourmaline and Spodumene gemstones which are reported to be in abundance at the northern portions of the province.

Demographics

Pashtuns represent approximately 58% of the population of Laghman Province. Pashais and Nuristanis are also native here, and represent 33% of the population according to some estimates. There is also a Tajik minority of 9%. The people of Laghman are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim.

Districts

Districts of Laghman Province

District	Capital	Population	Area	Notes
Alingar		89,716
Alishing		68,153
Dawlat Shah		40,887
Mihtarlam		112,856
Qarghayi		70,688
Baad Pukh		New District

Notable people

• Abdul Zahir – former Prime Minister of Afghanistan
• Abdullah Laghmani - former Deputy Intelligence Officer of Afghanistan 2009
• Ismail Yoon - writer, political analyst, professor and owner of Zhwandoon TV.
• Mohammad Hanif Atmar – former Interior Minister of Afghanistan 2010
• Mohammad Nasim Faqiri - Secretary General of Jamiat-e Islami of Afghanistan
• Zalmay Khalilzad- fomer US Ambassador to Afghanistan 2004, Iraq and then in United Nations 2007.

Singers and poets

• Gul Pacha Ulfat
• Ahmad Zia Habibyar
• Ahmad Zahir
• Shafiq Mureed
• Said Bahai Jan

See also

• Kakazai
• Provincial Reconstruction Team

External links

• Official website