Takhar Province

Province of Afghanistan

This article is about the province in Afghanistan. For other uses, see Takhar (disambiguation).

Province in Afghanistan

Takhar

تخار

Province

From the top, Warsaj District, View from atop a hill in Khawajah Bahawuddin, Darqad District

Map of Afghanistan with Takhar highlighted

Coordinates (Capital): 36°42′N 69°48′E﻿ / ﻿36.7°N 69.8°E﻿ / 36.7; 69.8
Country|  Afghanistan
Capital| Taloqan
Government

• Governor| Mawlawi Zia ur Rahman Madani [1]
• Deputy Governor| Haji Kazim[2]
• Police Chief| Habibullah Shakir [3]
Area

• Total

| 12,333 km2 (4,762 sq mi)
Population

(2021)[4]

• Total

| 1,113,173
• Density| 90/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zone| UTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Time)
Postal code|

37xx

Main languages| Persian
Website| http://takhar.gov.af/en/
Persian language

Takhar (Dari/Pashto: تخار) is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan, located in the northeast of the country next to Tajikistan. It is surrounded by Badakhshan in the east, Panjshir in the south, and Baghlan and Kunduz in the west. The city of Taloqan serves as its capital. The province contains 17 districts, over 1,000 villages, and approximately 1,113,173 people,[4] which is multi-ethnic and mostly a rural society.[5]

## History

[edit]

Part of a series on the

History of Afghanistan

The palace of the emir in 1839
Timeline

Ancient

|  Indus Valley Civilisation|  2200–1800 BC

|

Oxus civilization|  2100–1800 BC
Gandhara kingdom|  1500–535 BC
Median Empire|  728–550 BC
Achaemenid Empire|  550–330 BC
Macedonian Empire|  330–312 BC
Seleucid Empire|  312–150 BC
Maurya Empire|  305–180 BC
Greco-Bactrian kingdom|  256–125 BC
Parthian Empire|  247 BC–224 AD
Indo-Greek kingdom|  180–90 BC
Indo-Scythian kingdom|  155–80? BC
Kushan Empire|  135 BC – 248 AD
Indo-Parthian kingdom|  20 BC – 50? AD
Sasanian Empire|  230–651
Kidarite kingdom|  320–465
Rob|
Alchon Huns|  380–560
Hephthalite Empire|  410–557
Nezak Huns|  484–711

Medieval

|  Kabul Shahi|  565–879

|

Principality of Chaghaniyan|  7th–8th centuries
Rashidun Caliphate|  652–661
Tang China|  660–669
Tibetan Empire|  660–842
Umayyads|  661–750
Zunbils|  680–870
Lawik| 750-977
Abbasids|  750–821
Tahirids|  821–873
Saffarids|  863–900
Samanids|  875–999
Ghaznavids|  963–1187
Ghurids|  before 879–1215
Seljuks|  1037–1194
Khwarezmids|  1215–1231
Mongol Invasion|  1219–1226
Chagatai Khanate|  1226–1245
Qarlughids|  1224–1266
Ilkhanate|  1256–1335
Kartids|  1245–1381
Timurids|  1370–1507
Arghuns|  1520–1591

Modern

|  Mughals|  1501–1738

|

Safavids|  1510–1709
Kunduz Khanate|  ?–1859
Hotak dynasty|  1709–1738
Sadozai Sultanate|  1716–1732
Afsharid Iran|  1738–1747
Durrani Empire|  1747–1823
Maimana Khanate|  1747–1892
Herat|  1793–1863
Principality of Qandahar| 1818–1855
Emirate|  1823–1926
Saqqawist Emirate|  1929
Kingdom|  1926–1973
Daoud coup|  1973
Republic|  1973–1978
Saur Revolution|  1978
Democratic Republic|  1978–1992
Tanai coup attempt|  1990
Islamic State|  1992–1996
Islamic Emirate|  1996–2001
US invasion|  2001
Islamic State (reinstated)|  2001
Interim/Transitional Administration|  2001–2004
Islamic Republic (politics)|  2004–2021
Islamic Emirate (reinstated)|  since 2021

Related historical regions

* Arachosia
* Aria
* Ariana
* Bactria
* Gandhara
* Iran
* Kabulistan
* Kafiristan
* Khorasan
* Kushanshahr
* Paropamisadae
* Sistan
* Zabulistan

Related topics

* Political history
* Political violence
* Culture
* Economic history
* Name
* Afghan (ethnonym)
* List of years
* List of heads of state
* Wars
* List of wars
* Hinduism history
* Hindu and Buddhist heritage
* Jewish history
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* Category
* Afghanistan portal

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Further information: History of Afghanistan

### Early history

[edit]

Main article: Kushan Empire

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2018)

|

### 7th to 16th centuries

[edit]

Main article: Muslim conquests of Afghanistan

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2018)

|

### 16th to 20th centuries

[edit]

Between the early 16th century and the mid-18th century, the territory was ruled by the Khanate of Bukhara.

It was given to Ahmad Shah Durrani by Murad Beg of Bukhara after a treaty of friendship was reached in or about 1750, and became part of the Durrani Empire. It was ruled by the Durranis followed by the Barakzai dynasty and was untouched by the British during the three Anglo-Afghan wars that were fought in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

### 1964–2001

[edit]

It was established in 1964 when Qataghan Province was divided into three provinces: Baghlan, Kunduz and Takhar. During the 1980s Soviet–Afghan War, the area fell under the influence of Rabbani and Ahmad Shah Massoud. It was controlled by the Northern Alliance in the 1990s. It experienced some fighting between the Northern Alliance and the Taliban forces. Takhar holds notoriety as the location where Mujahideen Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud was assassinated on 9 September 2001 by suspected al-Qaeda agents.

### 2001–2021

[edit]

Following the September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, and amidst the United States' intervention, General Mohamad Daud and General Shajahan Noori, both widely recognized figures, played instrumental roles in leading the Afghanistan government forces to reclaim control of the northeastern province from the Taliban.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) took over security responsibility of the area in the early 2000s, which was led by Germany. The province also began to see some developments and the establishment of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). In a small incident in July 2008, the Afghan National Police killed Mullah Usman when several armed Taliban militants under his command raided a police checkpoint in the Kalafgan district. This was the first time since the fall of Taliban regime in 2001 that the Taliban insurgents engaged police in this province. Mullah Usman was the most senior Taliban commander in the northeast region of Afghanistan, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry.[6]

In May 2009, Taliban insurgents fighting Afghan government attacked the Baharak district in Takhar province.[7] A bomb attack on 28 May 2011 killed General Shahjahan Noori, Mohammed Daud Daud and injured Governor Taqwa. Several German soldiers and Afghans were also killed.[8][9]

In April 2012, the water supply at the Rostaq district's school for girls was poisoned by unknown insurgents, sickening at least 140 Afghan schoolgirls and teachers ranging in age from 14 to 30, causing them to be hospitalized and some to partially lose consciousness, though there were no deaths as a result of the incident.[10]

During the 2021 Taliban offensive, Takhar Province experienced attacks as the withdrawal of US troops took place. In response, Mohibullah Noori emerged as a prominent figure, leading the second resistance to support security forces and prevent the Taliban from taking control of Taluqan city. Despite the Taliban eventually gaining control of the province on August 8, 2021, the Resistance Forces have remained present in the area.

### 2015 earthquake

[edit]

On 26 October, the 7.5 Mw Hindu Kush earthquake shook northern Afghanistan with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). This earthquake destroyed almost 30,000 homes, left several hundred dead, and more than 1,700 injured.[11]

## Demographics

[edit]

Further information: Demography of Afghanistan

Ethnolinguistic groups in Afghanistan Districts of Takhar

As of 2021, the total population of the province is about 1,113,173[4] which is mostly tribal and a rural society. The main inhabitants of Takhar province are majority Tajiks and Uzbeks with a sizeable Pashtun minority. Other smaller ethnic groups include Hazaras, Gujars and Balochi.

### District information

[edit]

Districts of Takhar Province District  | Capital  | Population[4] | Area
in km2 | Pop.
density  | Number of villages and ethnic groups

|
|
|
|
|

Baharak |  | 34,942 | 379 | 92 | 74 villages. 83% Uzbek, 10% Pashtun, 5% Tajik, 2% Hazara.[12]
Bangi |  | 39,725 | 434 | 92 | 59 villages. 80% Uzbek, 10% Tajik, 6% Hazara, 4% Pashtun.[13]
Chah Ab |  | 90,011 | 833 | 108 | 63 villages. 97% Tajik, 3% Uzbek.[14]
Chal |  | 31,885 | 404 | 79 | 58 villages. 55% Uzbek, 38% Tajik, 6% Hazara, 1% Pashtun, 1% Gujar.[15]
Darqad |  | 30,424 | 310 | 98 | 34 villages. Predominantely Uzbek, few Tajik.
Dashti Qala |  | 36,137 | 314 | 115 | 49 villages. 70% Uzbek, 25% Tajiks, 5% Pashtuns[16]
Farkhar |  | 53,051 | 1,306 | 41 | 75 villages. 94% Tajik, 5% Hazara, 1% other.[17]
Hazar Sumuch |  | 15,545 | 265 | 59 | 28 villages. Predominantely Pashtun, few Turkmen, Tajik, Uzbek.
Ishkamish |  | 66,695 | 948 | 70 | 103 villages. 40% Tajik, 30% Uzbek, 20% Pashtun, 10% Gujar.[18]
Kalafgan |  | 39,858 | 526 | 76 | 42 villages 95% Uzbek, 2% Hazara, 2% Tajik, 1% Pashtun.[19]
Khwaja Bahauddin |  | 26,306 | 182 | 144 | 25 villages. Predominantely Uzbek.
Khwaja Ghar |  | 76,132 | 404 | 188 | 62 villages. 70% Uzbek, 20% Pashtun, 10% Tajik, <1% Hazara.[20]
Namak Ab |  | 13,817 | 431 | 32 | 28 villages. 100% Tajik.
Rustaq |  | 186,144 | 1,824 | 102 | 179 villages 50% Uzbek, 50% Tajiks, <1% Pashtun, <1% Baloch[21]
Taluqan | Taluqan | 258,724 | 833 | 311 | 40% Uzbek, 40% Tajik, 10% Pashtun, 5% Hazara, 5% others[22]
Warsaj |  | 42,914 | 2,668 | 16 | 94 villages. 100% Tajik.[23]
Yangi Qala |  | 50,782 | 360 | 141 | 64 villages 65% Uzbeks, 18% Pashtun, 15% Tajik, 2% Hazara.[24]
Takhar |  | 1,093,092 | 12,458 | 88 | 46.0% Uzbeks, 42.1% Tajiks, 8.0% Pashtuns, 2.1% Hazaras, 0.6% Gujar, <0.1% Balochi, <0.1% Turkmens, 1.2% others.[note 1]

1. ^ Note: "Predominantely" or "dominated" is interpreted as 99%, "majority" as 70%, "mixed" as 1/(number of ethnicities), "minority" as 30% and "few" or "some" as 1%.

## Economy

[edit]

Further information: Economy of Afghanistan

Agriculture and mining are the main industries of the province. Takhar has coal reserves which are being exploited by hand in some villages and sold in the region. The local population considers gold the most relevant resource for the Province. Gold is being washed in Takhar River, and about 2 kg are being transported to the specific weekly markets in the city of Taloqan. Also the city is a main source of construction materials like: loam, sand, and different types of stones. Takhar province is known for its salt mountains and you can find large deposits of fine salt in the region. The Takcha Khanna salt mine is one of the growing number of salt supplier, for the population of Takhar and northern Afghanistan. While the mines offer economic opportunities in the region, the availability of iodized salt considerably reduces the prevalence of health problems related to iodine deficiency.

## See also

[edit]

* Tokharistan
* Taloqan

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ کاکړ, جاويد هميم (14 March 2022). "سرپرست حکومت په وزارتونو، ولایتونو او قول اردو ګانو کې نوې ټاکنې وکړې".
2. ^ "جمهور - تعیینات جدید از سوی رهبر طالبان انجام شد". 14 March 2022.
3. ^ "د نږدې شلو ولایاتو لپاره نوي والیان او امنیې قوماندانان وټاکل شول". 7 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021.
4. ^ a b c d "Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2021-22" (PDF). National Statistic and Information Authority (NSIA). April 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
5. ^ "Takhar provincial profile" (PDF). Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
6. ^ "Takhar police kill Taliban commander"
7. ^ "Taliban attack district in NE Afghanistan". Military-world.net. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
8. ^ "Three German soldiers die in Afghan attack". Thepeninsulaqatar.com. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
9. ^ Gambrell, Jon (29 May 2011). "Taliban suicide bomb hits Afghan governor's complex". Boston.com. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
10. ^ Masoud Popalzai (17 April 2012). "Extremists poison schoolgirls' water, Afghan officials say". CNN. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
11. ^ USGS. "M7.5 - 45 km E of Farkhar, Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey.
12. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2014.
13. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
14. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2014.
15. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF District Profile" (PDF). aims.org.af. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
16. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
17. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
18. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
19. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
20. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Mazar-i-Sharif DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
21. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office Mazar-i-Sharif DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
22. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
23. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
24. ^ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Takhar Province.

* Naval Postgraduate School \- Takhar Province
* Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development \- Takhar Province[usurped]
* Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System \- Takhar Province
* Takhar (pictures of Takhar province)

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Places adjacent to Takhar Province

|  |  Tajikistan |

|
|

|  |
Kunduz Province |

Takhar Province

| Badakhshan Province
|  |
Baghlan Province |  | Panjshir Province

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Provinces of Afghanistan

* Badakhshan
* Badghis
* Baghlan
* Balkh
* Bamyan
* Daykundi
* Farah
* Faryab
* Ghazni
* Ghor
* Helmand
* Herat
* Jowzjan
* Kabul
* Kandahar
* Kapisa
* Khost
* Kunar
* Kunduz
* Laghman
* Logar
* Maidan Wardak
* Nangarhar
* Nimruz
* Nuristan
* Paktia
* Paktika
* Panjshir
* Parwan
* Samangan
* Sar-e Pol
* Takhar
* Uruzgan
* Zabul

* Afghanistan portal

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Takhar Province

Capital: Taloqan

Districts|

* Baharak
* Bangi
* Chah Ab
* Chal
* Darqad
* Dashti Qala
* Farkhar
* Hazar Sumuch
* Ishkamish
* Kalafgan
* Khwaja Bahauddin
* Khwaja Ghar
* Namak Ab
* Rustaq
* Taluqan
* Warsaj
* Yangi Qala

Populated Places|

* Ab Bazan
* Ahandara
* Ak Bolak
* Akhjar
* Anjir
* Rostaq

Other|

* Governors
* Ai-Khanoum
* Anjirak
* Khanabad River
* Kokcha River
* Taloqan Airport
* Yangi Qaleh Airport

Authority control databases: National |

* United States
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