Cities And Towns In Afghanistan

"The modern town of Balkh is not even the shadow of the grandeur of the ancient city which was once the 'pride' of Afghanistan, the ‘Mother of cities'; culturally so sacred as to be called ‘Little Rajagriha’. At present it lies in ruins. Only some of its monuments stand in mounds, some excavated while others still buried unnoticed. Only the ancient wall of the town, which once encircled it, stands partially. One or two stupas in ruinous condition and some excavated monasteries are presently available there. Archaeological discoveries, though scanty, present its ancient glory and glamour."

"Afghanistan never has had, and never can have, the cohesion and consistency of a regular monarchical government. The nation consists of a mere collection of tribes, of unequal power and with divergent habits, which are held together, more or less closely, according to the personal character of the chief who rules them. The feeling of patriotism, as known in Europe, cannot exist among the Afghans, for there is no common country... There is no natural or ethnical reason why Herat and Candahar should be attached to Cabul. Herat is inhabited by races entirely alien to the Afghans, by Jamshidis, Eymaks, and Hazrehs; while at Candahar, though the lands were parcelled out by Nadir Shah in the middle of the last century among the Durrani aristocracy, and their descendants still exist as a privileged class, the peasantry are everywhere of Persian, or Tajik, or Turkish descent, and have no community of felling with the northern and eastern Afghans."

"The Arab traveller-geographer-chronicler al-Istakhri gives the following picture of Kabul in 921. Kábul has a castle celebrated for its strength, accessible only by one road. In it there are Musulmáns, and it has a town, in which are infidels from Hind"

"When day broke Sam returned to Manuchehr’s side. The king said to him, “Choose some chieftains and go from here to India; spread fire and sword there, burn Mehrab’s castle and Kabol to the ground. Don’t let him escape; he’s dragon’s spawn, always raising his war cry against someone, filling the peaceful world with war and trouble. Sever the heads of his allies, cleanse the earth of Zahhak’s tribe.” Sam replied, “I shall do this and satisfy the king’s anger.” He kissed the throne and touched his face to the king’s seal ring. Then he and his army set off on their galloping horses for home."