Laghman Province
Laghman
لغمان | |
---|---|
Country | Afghanistan |
Capital | Mehtar Lam |
Area | |
• Total | 3,843 km2 (1,484 sq mi) |
Population (2008)[1] | |
• Total | 382,280 |
• Density | 99/km2 (260/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+4:30 |
Main languages | [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
During the invasions of Alexander the Great, the area was known as Lampaka.[2] In the seventh century, Xuan Zang, visited the area and reported that "very few" of the inhabitants of Laghman followed Buddhism,[3] while some followed Hinduism.[4]
Laghman was a centre of Mahayanist Buddhism and Huen Tsang records.
In the country of Lampa (Laghman) there were about 10 Buddhist monasteries.[5]
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.[6] Later, during the Mughal era, Laghman was recognized as a dependent district of Kabul province.[7]
Located currently at the Kabul Museum are Aramaic inscriptions that were found in Laghman which indicated an ancient trade route from India to Palmyra.[8] Aramaic was the bureaucratic script language of the Achaemenids whose influence had extended toward Laghman.[9]
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.[10]
As of 2007, an International Security Assistance Force Provincial Reconstruction Team led by the United States is based at Mehtar Lam.
Economy
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,[11] 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.[12]
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%,[1] and a much smaller Gujjar population.[13] The people of Laghman are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim.
Districts
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2009) |
District | Capital | Population | Area[14] | 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.
- Arifa Omarloor- Novel and short stories writer and Social researcher.
Singers and poets
See also
References
- ^ a b http://www.mrrd.gov.af/nabdp/Provincial%20Profiles/Laghman%20PDP%20Provincial%20profile.pdf
- ^ http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0041-977X(1949)13%3A1%3C80%3ATAIOAF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B
- ^ On Yuan Chwang's Travels, Watters, pg. 181
- ^ The Afghans, Vogelsang, pg. 172–173
- ^ Ancient Indian Education: Brahmanical and Buddhist, by Radha Kumud Mookerji Edition: illustrated Published by Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1990, page 508.
- ^ The History of India: The Hindu and Mahometan Periods, Mountstuart Elphinstone, pg 321
- ^ The Garden of Eight Paradises: Babur and the Culture of Central Asia, Afghanistan
- ^ Cultural policy in Afghanistan; Studies and documents on cultural policies; 1975
- ^ ˆOKA, Mauryan emperor of India (ca
- ^ How the Weak Win Wars: A Theory of Asymmetric Conflict, Arreguin-Toft, pg. 186
- ^ Pegmatites of Laghman, Nuristan, Afghanistan
- ^ Gemstones of Afghanistan, Chamberline, pg. 146
- ^ https://ronna-afghan.harmonieweb.org/PDP/PublicDocuments/Laghman%20PDP.pdf
- ^ Laghman Provincial profile MRRD