Kabul

Kabul ({{coor dm|34|32|N|69|10|E|}}, Kâb'l, in Persian کابل) is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan with a population variously estimated at 2 to 4 million. It is an economic and cultural center strategically situated in a narrow valley along the Kabul River, high in the mountains before the Khyber Pass. Kabul is linked with the Tajikistan border via a tunnel under the Hindu Kush Mountains.

Attractions

The old section of Kabul is filled with bazaars nestled along its narrow, crooked streets. Kabul has a university, established in 1931, and a number of colleges. Cultural sites include a very good museum, Babur's tomb and gardens, the mausoleum of Mohammad Nadir Shah, the Minar-i-Istiklal (column of independence) built in 1919 after the Third Afghan War, the tomb of Timur Shah, and some important mosques. Bala Hissar, a fort destroyed in retaliation for the death of their envoy by the British in 1879, was restored as a military college. Outside the city proper is a citadel and the royal palace.

Related Topics:
Mohammad Nadir Shah - Minar-i-Istiklal - Third Afghan War - Timur Shah - Mosques - Bala Hissar - 1879

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Places of interest include West Kabul, the Kabul Museum, Darul Aman Palace, the Kabul Zoo, Babur Gardens, Bala Hisar, Shah Do Shamshera Mosque, the Afghan National Gallery, the Afghan National Archive, the Afghan Royal Family Mausoleum, the OMAR Mine Museum, Bibi Mahroo Hill, the Kabul Christian Cemetery, and Paghman Gardens.

Related Topics:
West Kabul - Kabul Museum - Darul Aman Palace - Kabul Zoo - Babur Gardens - Bala Hisar - Shah Do Shamshera Mosque - Afghan National Gallery - Afghan National Archive - Afghan Royal Family Mausoleum - OMAR Mine Museum - Bibi Mahroo Hill - Kabul Christian Cemetery - Paghman Gardens

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• Afghan National Museum, notably displaying an impressive statue of Surya excavated at Khair Khana.
• Darul Aman Palace, destroyed former defence ministry.
• Kabul University, founded 1931.
• Tappe-i-Maranjan. Nearby hill where Buddhist statues and Graceo-Bactrian coins dating from the 2nd century BC have been found.
• Minaret of Chakari, with Buddhist swastika and both Mahayana and Theravada qualities.
• Paghman and Jalalabad valleys to the north and east of the city.
• The Kabul Zoo was once home to a lion named Marjan who was maimed in a grenade attack. The story goes that a soldier climbed into her cage in order to show off and was killed by the lion. Later, an angry friend of the dead soldier threw a grenade at Marjan and cost the lion an eye.