Afghanistan
Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (Retd.) |
Afghanistan (officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Dari: جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان), is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Asia. Generally considered a part of Central Asia, it is sometimes ascribed to a regional bloc in either South Asia or the Middle East, as it has cultural, ethno-linguistic, and geographic links with most of its neighbors.
Variants
- Afghanistan (Anabasis by Arrian, p. 155, 191.)
- Afghanistan (अफगानिस्तान) दे. Gandhara (गंधार) (AS, p.28)
Visit by Xuanzang in 644 AD
Alexander Cunningham[1] writes about 10. Opokien, or Afghanistan: O-po-kien is mentioned only once by Hwen Thsang in a brief paragraph, which places it between Falana and Ghazni, to the north-west of the former, and to the south-east of the latter. From this description it would appear to be the same as the Lo-i of Fa-Hian, and the Roh of the Indian historians. Perhaps the name of Opokien may have some connection with Vorgun or Verghin, which Wilford's surveyor, Mogal Beg, places near the source of the Tunchi, or Tochi branch of the Kuram river. In the map attached to Burnes's Travels by Arrowsmith the name is written Borghoon. I am, however, inclined to identify Opokien, or Avakan, as it is rendered by M. Julien, with the name of Afghan, as I find that the Chinese syllable kien represents ghan in the word Ghanta. From the cursory notice of the district by Hwen Thsang, I infer that it must have formed part of the province of Falana. It was certainly a part of the mountainous district called Roh by Abul Fazl and Ferishta,[2] or south-eastern Afghanistan, which would appear to have been one of the original seats of the Afghan people. Major
[p.88]: Raverty[3] describes Roh as " the mountainous district of Afghanistan and part of Biluchistan," or "the country between Ghazni and Kandahar and the Indus." The people of this province are called Rohilas, or Rohila Afghans, to distinguish them from other Afghans, such as the Ghori Afghans of Ghor between Balkh and Merv. There is, however, a slight chronological difficulty about this identification, as the Afghans of Khilij, Ghor, and Kabul are stated by Ferishta to have subdued the province of Roh so late as A.H. 63, or A.D. 682, that is about thirty years later than the period of Hwen Thsang's visit. But I think that there are good grounds for doubting the accuracy of this statement, as Hwen Thsang describes the language of Falana as having but little resemblance to that of Central India. The inhabitants of Roh could not, therefore, have been Indians; and if not Indians, they must almost certainly have been Afghans. Ferishta[4] begins his account by saying that the Muhammadan Afghans of the mountains "invaded and laid waste the inhabited countries, such as Kirman, Shivaran, and Peshawar;" and that several battles took place between the Indians and Afghans " on a plain between Kirman and Peshawar." The Kirman here mentioned is not the great province of Kirman, or Karmania, on the shore of the Indian Ocean, but the Kirman, or Kirmash, of Timur's historians, which is the valley of the Kuram river. The difficulty may be explained if we limit the part of Kirman that was invaded to the lower valley, or plains of the Kuram river, and extend the limits of the Afghan country beyond Ghazni and Kabul, so as to
[p.89]: embrace the upper valley, or mountain region of the Kuram river. Politically the ruler of Peshawar has always been the ruler of Kohat and Banu, and the ruler of Kabul has been the lord of the upper Kuram valley. This latter district is now called Khost ; but it is the Iryab of Timur's historians, and of Wilford's surveyor, Mogul Beg, and the Haryub of Elphinstone. Now the Suliman-Khel of the Buran division of the Ghiljis number about three-fourths of the whole horde. I infer, therefore, that the original seat of the Ghiljis must have included the upper valleys of the Kuram and Gomal rivers on the east, with Ghazni and Kelat-i-Ghilji on the west. Haryub would thus have formed part of the Afghan district of Khilij, or Ghilji, from which the southern territories of Peshawar were easily accessible.
But whether this explanation of Ferishta's statement be correct or not, I feel almost certain that Hwen Thsang's O-po-kien must be intended for Afghan. Its exact equivalent would be Avaghan, which is the nearest transcript of Afghan that the Chinese syllables are capable of making. If this rendering is correct, it is the earliest mention of the Afghans that I am aware of under that name.
अफ़गानिस्तान
अफ़गानिस्तान - यह अपभ्रंश है अपगानस्थान का। अप = बुरा, गान = गाना, स्थान = देश। अर्थात् बुरे गायकों का देश। इसीलिए इस देश को फ़ारसी लुग़ात में गिरिया व जारी करने वालों का देश कहा है। वास्तव में यह देश गान्धर्व देश था, जिसका अर्थ है गानविद्या को धारण करने वालों का देश। यह सर्वगत ब्रह्म के जानने वाले, सामवेद के गाने वालों का देश था जिसको अब ‘कन्धार’ कहते हैं जो कि अपभ्रंश है ‘गान्धार’ का। यह वही देश है जिसके राजा की राजकन्या श्रीमती महाराणी गान्धारी महाराज धृतराष्ट्र से ब्याही थी। (वाल्मीकि रामायण, उत्तरकाण्ड सर्ग 100 में भी गन्धर्व देश का नाम है)।[5]
अफगानिस्तान - यह गन्धर्व देश कहलाता था जिसका अर्थ है गानविद्या को धारण करने वालों का देश। अब कन्धार कहे जानेवाला अपभ्रंश है ‘गान्धार’ का। यह वही देश है जिसके राजा की राजकन्या श्रीमती महाराणी गान्धारी महाराज धृतराष्ट्र से ब्याही थी।[6]
जाटों का विदेशों में जाना
ठाकुर देशराज[7] ने लिखा है .... उत्तरोत्तर संख्या वृद्धि के साथ ही वंश (कुल) वृद्धि भी होती गई और प्राचीन जातियां मे से एक-एक के सैंकड़ों वंश हो गए। साम्राज्य की लपेट से बचने के लिए कृष्ण ने इनके सामने भी यही प्रस्ताव रखा कि कुल राज्यों की बजाए ज्ञाति राज्य कायम का डालो। ....द्वारिका के जाट-राष्ट्र पर हम दो विपत्तियों का आक्रमण एक साथ देख कर प्रभास क्षेत्र में यादवों का आपसी महायुद्ध और द्वारिका का जल में डूब जाना। अतः स्वभावतः शेष बचे जाटों को दूसरी जगह तलाश करने के लिए बढ़ना पड़ा। .... बाल्हीकों ने अफगानिस्तान में बलख नाम से पुकारे जाने वाले नगर को अपनी राजधानी बनाया था। एक समूह ईरान में भी इनका बढ़ गया था जो आजकल आजकल बलिक कबीले के नाम से मशहूर है। याद रहे कबीला जत्थे और वंश को कहते हैं। यह बलिक आजकल मुसलमान हैं और सिदव प्रांत में रहते हैं। अच्छे घुड़सवार समझे जाते हैं। काश्यप गोत्री जाटों का एक जत्था इन्हीं बलिकों के पड़ोस में रहता है जो आजकल कास्पी कहलाता है। ईरान के सोलहुज जिले में कारापाया एक कबिला है। यह कारपश्व लोगों में से हैं। ये कारपश्व जाट मथुरा जिले से उठकर गए थे जहांकि उनकी राजधानी आजकल के कारब में रही थी। अफगानिस्तान में हमें महावन नामक परगना भी मिलता है। इसका नामकरण मालूम होता है इन्हीं कारपश्व लोगों ने किया होगा। फिर बिचारे वहां से भी सोलहुज जिला (ईरान) में चले गए होंगे। कारपाया लोग बड़े अच्छे घुड़सवार गिने जाते हैं। कहा जाता है कि आरंभ में यह इस जिले में केवल 800 कुटुंब लेकर आबाद हुए थे। आजकल भी यह इस सोलहुज जिले के अधिकारी हैं और मुसलमान धर्म का पालन करते हैं।
जाटों ने ईरान और अफगानिस्तान को आबाद किया
ठाकुर देशराज[8] ने लिखा है .... शिवियों का एक समूह है उद्यान से ईरान की और भी बढ़ गया था। वहां उन्होंने शिवस्थान नामक एक नगर अपने नाम से आबाद किया जो अब सीसतान कहलाता है।
बाना लोगों ने ईरान के देश में जाकर बस्ती आबाद की जहां उनके नाम पर ही उस नदी का नाम मशहूर हो गया जिसके कि किनारे वे जाकर बसे थे। भारत में बाणगंगा के किनारे से उठकर गए थे जहां पर कि आजकल बयाना आबाद है। उषा इन्हीं लोगों की पुत्री थी। कृष्ण से लड़ने के कारण भक्त लोगों ने बान लोगों के सरदार को बाणासुर कहा है किंतु बात ऐसी नहीं है। कंस, बान, दंतवक्र यह सब चंद्रवंशी थे असुर नहीं थे। कुछ लोग मानते हैं कि स्कैंडेनेविया को बान के लड़के स्कंद ने आबाद किया था।
गांधार लोग कंदहार में एक लंबे अरसे से राज्य कर रहे थे। अफगानिस्तान में गातई एक स्थान है जो आज भी इसी नाम से मशहूर है। यहां पर गात्रवान ने जो कि श्रीकृष्ण की
[पृ.151]: लक्ष्मणा नामक रानी से पैदा हुआ था, अपने राज्य की नींव डाली थी। गोताला और गटवाल इसी इसी गातवान के वंशज हैं और गातई से लौटने वाले जाट हैं।
बाल्हीकों ने अफगानिस्तान में बलख नाम से पुकारे जाने वाले नगर को अपनी राजधानी बनाया था। एक समूह ईरान में भी इनका बढ़ गया था जो आजकल आजकल बलिक कबीले के नाम से मशहूर है। याद रहे कबीला जत्थे और वंश को कहते हैं। यह बलिक आजकल मुसलमान हैं और सिदव प्रांत में रहते हैं। अच्छे घुड़सवार समझे जाते हैं। काश्यप गोत्री जाटों का एक जत्था इन्हीं बलिकों के पड़ोस में रहता है जो आजकल कास्पी कहलाता है। ईरान के सोलहुज जिले में कारापाया एक कबिला है। यह कारपश्व लोगों में से हैं। ये कारपश्व जाट मथुरा जिले से उठकर गए थे जहांकि उनकी राजधानी आजकल के कारब में रही थी। अफगानिस्तान में हमें महावन नामक परगना भी मिलता है। इसका नामकरण मालूम होता है इन्हीं कारपश्व लोगों ने किया होगा। फिर बिचारे वहां से भी सोलहुज जिला (ईरान) में चले गए होंगे। कारपाया लोग बड़े अच्छे घुड़सवार गिने जाते हैं। कहा जाता है कि आरंभ में यह इस जिले में केवल 800 कुटुंब लेकर आबाद हुए थे। आजकल भी यह इस सोलहुज जिले के अधिकारी हैं और मुसलमान धर्म का पालन करते हैं।
[पृ.152]: उत्तर प्रदेश के जिन गदर जाटों को आजकल हम मामूली सी हालत में देखते हैं, वे उशना (शुक्राचार्य) के प्रदेश उशनेई के पास बहने वाली गदर नदी के किनारे बहुत दिन रह चुके हैं।
ईरान में रोअंडिज़1 एक प्रांत है। उसमें सोहरान एक कबिला अब तक रहता है। वे रोअंदिज के मालिक हैं। भारत में लोहारु में इन सोहरान अथवा स्यौरान के 52 गांव पाते हैं। विधि की विचित्रता से रोअंदिज के सोहरान (मांडलिक) शासक हैं और लोहारू के श्यौरान शासित हैं। अगर मजहब का पचड़ा बीज से हटा दिया जाए तो क्या लोहारू और ईरान के सोहरान भाई नहीं हैं?
यूरोप के लोग जाटों को यूरोप में असीरिया से आया हुआ मानते हैं। यह असीरिया ईरान का ही प्रांत है। जिसे मालवा के असीगढ़ से जाकर जाटों ने बसाया था। यहीं पर एक लाहियान जिला भी है। भारत के लोहियान जाट इसी जिले से लौटे हुए हैं।
जाटों में आंजना जाट जयपुर राज्य में पाए जाते हैं। जो वास्तव में किसी समय अराजण (अराजक) रहे हैं। इनका भी एक समूह बहुत समय तक अजरी नदी के किनारे रहा है। जाटाली प्रांत जाटों के नाम से ईरान में काफी प्रसिद्धि पा गया था।
पंजाब के हिसार जिले को सभी लोग जाटों का जिला मानते हैं। ईरान में जगातू नदी के पास हिसार एक प्रसिद्ध शहर रह चुका है। अब तो वह उजाड़ पड़ा है। ईरान के हिसार
नोट-1: रोअंडिज़ शहर इराक में है। Laxman Burdak (talk)
[पृ.153]: पास सेई कलह और सहना दो प्रसिद्ध स्थान हैं। हम नहीं जानते पंजाब के हिसार के पास भी इन्हीं नाम के जाटों के कोई नगर हैं या नहीं। इसके अलावा दो हिसार हम अफगानिस्तान के भूगोल में आज भी पढ़ते हैं। एक बाला हिसार और दूसरा मूंदा हिसार है। क्या इन में से एक हो बालाइन जाटों का और दूसरे को मूंद जाटों का हिसाब कहना उचित नहीं होगा।
अफगानिस्तान में शिवि और कुर्रम दो जिले हैं, जो शिवि और कृमि जाटों के नाम पर मशहूर हुए थे। हाला जाटों के नाम पर एक हाला पहाड़ भी है, जिसे सोमगिरि के नाम से भी पुकारते हैं।
ईरान को लोग पारसियों का देश समझते हैं किंतु पारसी सारे संसार में पौने दो लाख ही हैं। वास्तव में तो ईरान का अधिकांश भाग भारतीय क्षत्रियों से भर गया था।
अफगानों के कई जिरगे जाटों में से हैं यूसुफजई जिरगा को कुछ लोगों ने गुर्जरों में से लिखा है। हम भी मानते हैं कि वह गुर्जरों में से हैं किंतु पंजाब के गुजरात नाम के इलाके के जाटों का जो गुर्जर गोत्र है वह उसमे से हैं।
Legend about how Afghan word came into existence
According to Niamtulla's Makhzan-i-Afghani and Hamdulla Mustaufi's Tarikh-i-Guzida, in the eighteenth generation from Adam was born Ibrahim one of whose decendants was Talut or Saul. Talut had two sons, one of whom was named Irmia or Jermia. Irmia had a son named Afghan, who is supposed to have given his name to the Afghan people. Qais, a descendant of Afghan, with many of his kins men or Bani Israel settled down in Ghor, joined the Prophert's standard, and was converted to Islam.The Prophet was so pleased with Qais that he gave him the name of Abdur Rashid, called him Malik [king] and Pethan [keel or rudder of a ship] for showing his people the path of Islam. This explains how the Afghan and Pathan came into being and how they all love the title of Malik. [9]
Provinces of Afghanistan
Afghanistan is administratively divided into thirty-four (34) provinces (welayats), and for each province there is a capital. Each province is then divided into many provincial districts, and each district normally covers a city or several townships.
Province wise list of Districts
North Eastern Afghanistan
Badakhshan Province
- Arghanj Khwa - formerly part of Fayzabad District
- Argo - formerly part of Fayzabad District
- Baharak
- Darayim - formerly part of Fayzabad District
- Darwaz
- Darwazi Bala - formerly part of Darwaz District
- Fayzabad
- Ishkashim
- Jurm
- Khash - formerly part of Jurm District
- Khwahanولسوالی خواهان
- Kishim
- Kohistan - formerly part of Baharak District
- Kuf Ab - formerly part of ولسوالی خواهان Khwahan District
- Kuran Wa Munjan
- Ragh
- Shahri Buzurg
- Shighnan
- Shiki - formerly part of Fayzabad District
- Shuhada - formerly part of Baharak District
- Tagab - formerly part of Fayzabad District
- Tishkan - formerly part of Kishim District
- Wakhan
- Wurduj - formerly part of Baharak District
- Yaftali Sufla - formerly part of Fayzabad District
- Yamgan - formerly part of Baharak District
- Yawan - formerly part of Ragh District
- Zebak
Baghlan Province
- Andarab
- Baghlan - now part of Baghlani Jadid District
- Baghlani Jadid
- Burka
- Dahana i Ghuri
- Dih Salah - formerly part of Andarab District
- Dushi
- Farang wa Gharu - formerly part of Khost Wa Fereng District
- Guzargahi Nur - formerly part of Khost Wa Fereng District
- Khinjan
- Khost wa Fereng
- Khwaja Hijran - formerly part of Andarab District
- Nahrin
- Puli Hisar - formerly part of Andarab District
- Puli Khumri
- Tala Wa Barfak
Kunduz Province
Takhar Province
- Baharak - formerly part of Taluqan District
- Bangi
- Chah Ab
- Chal
- Darqad
- Dashti Qala - formerly part of Khwaja Ghar District
- Farkhar
- Hazar Sumuch - formerly part of Taluqan District
- Ishkamish
- Kalafgan
- Khwaja Baha Wuddin- formerly part of Yangi Qala District
- Khwaja Ghar
- Namak Ab - ]formerly part of Taluqan District
- Rustaq
- Taluqan
- Warsaj
- Yangi Qala
North Western Afghanistan
Balkh Province
- Balkh
- Chahar Bolak
- Chahar Kint
- Chimtal
- Dawlatabad
- Dihdadi
- Kaldar
- Khulmi
- Kishindih
- Marmul
- Mazar-e Sharif
- Nahri Shahi
- Sholgara
- Shortepa
- Zari - formerly part of Kishindih District
Faryab Province
- Almar
- Andkhoy
- Bilchiragh
- Dawlat Abad
- Gurziwan - formerly part of Bilchiragh District
- Khani Chahar Bagh
- Khwaja Sabz Posh
- Kohistan
- Maymana
- Pashtun Kot
- Qaramqol
- Qaysar
- Qurghan - formerly part of Andkhoy District
- Shirin Tagab
Jowzjan Province
- Aqcha
- Darzab
- Fayzabad
- Khamyab
- Khaniqa - formerly part of Aqcha District
- Khwaja Du Koh
- Mardyan
- Mingajik
- Qarqin
- Qush Tepa - formerly part of Shibirghan District
- Shibirghan
Samangan Province
- Aybak
- Dara-I-Sufi Balla - created within the former Dara-I-Suf District
- Dara-I-Sufi Payan - created within the former Dara-I-Suf District
- Feroz Nakhchir - formerly part of Khulmi District; shifted from Balkh Province
- Hazrati Sultan
- Khuram Wa Sarbagh
- Ruyi Du Ab
Sare Pol Province
- Balkhab
- Gosfandi - formerly part of Sayyad District; most recently created district up to date
- Kohistanat
- Sangcharak
- Sar-e Pul
- Sayyad
- Sozma Qala
Central Mainland Afghanistan
Central Afghanistan
- Bagrami
- Chahar Asyab
- Deh Sabz
- Farza - formerly part of Mir Bacha Kot District
- Guldara
- Istalif
- Kabul
- Kalakan
- Khaki Jabbar
- Mir Bacha Kot
- Mussahi
- Paghman
- Qarabagh
- Shakardara
- Surobi
Kapisa Province
- Alasay
- Hesa Awal Kohistan - created within the former Kohistan District
- Hesa Duwum Kohistan - created within the former Kohistan District
- Koh Band
- Mahmud Raqi
- Nijrab
- Tagab
Logar Province
- Azra - shifted from Paktia Province
- Baraki Barak
- Charkh
- Kharwar - formerly part of Charkh District
- Khoshi
- Mohammad Agha
- Pul-i-Alam
Panjshir Province
- Anaba - created within the former Panjsher District
- Bazarak - created within the former Panjsher District
- Darah - created within the former Hisa Duwum Panjsher District
- Khenj - created within the former Hisa Awal Panjsher District
- Paryan - created within the former Hisa Awal Panjsher District
- Rokha - created within parts of the former Hisa Duwum Panjsher and Panjsher Districts
- Shotul - created within the former Panjsher District
Parwan Province
- Bagram
- Chaharikar
- Ghorband
- Jabal Saraj
- Kohi Safi
- Salang
- Sayed Khel - formerly part of Jabul Saraj District
- Shekh Ali
- Shinwari
- Surkhi Parsa
Wardak Province
- Chaki Wardak
- Day Mirdad
- Hisa-I-Awali Bihsud
- Jaghatu - shifted from Ghazni Province
- Jalrez
- Markazi Bihsud
- Maydan Shahr
- Nirkh
- Saydabad
Eastern Afghanistan
Kunar Province
- Asadabad
- Bar Kunar
- Chapa Dara
- Chawkay
- Dangam
- Dara-I-Pech
- Ghaziabad - formerly part of Nurgal District
- Khas Kunar
- Marawara
- Narang Wa Badil
- Nari
- Nurgal
- Shaygal Wa Shiltan - formerly part of Chapa Dara District
- Sirkanay
- Wata Pur - formerly part of Asadabad District
Laghman Province
Nangarhar Province
- Achin
- Bati Kot
- Bihsud - formerly part of Jalalabad District
- Chaparhar
- Dara-I-Nur
- Dih Bala
- Dur Baba
- Goshta
- Hisarak
- Jalalabad
- Kama
- Khogyani
- Kot - formerly part of Rodat District
- Kuz Kunar
- Lal Pur
- Muhmand Dara
- Nazyan
- Pachir Wa Agam
- Rodat
- Sherzad
- Shinwar
- Surkh Rod
Nuristan Province
- Bargi Matal
- Du Ab - formerly part of Kamdesh District
- Kamdesh
- Mandol
- Nurgaram - formerly part of Kamdesh District
- Paroon
- Wama
- Waygal
Western Afghanistan
Badghis Province
Bamyan Province
- Bamyan
- Kahmard - shifted from Baghlan Province
- Panjab
- Sayghan - formerly part of Kahmard District; shifted from Baghlan Province
- Shibar
- Waras
- Yakawlang
Farah Province
- Anar Dara
- Bakwa
- Bala Buluk
- Farah
- Gulistan
- Khaki Safed
- Lash wa Juwayn
- Pur Chaman
- Pusht Rod
- Qala i Kah
- Shib Koh
Ghor Province
- Chaghcharan
- Charsada - formerly part of Chaghcharan District
- Dawlat Yar - formerly part of Chaghcharan District
- Du Layna - formerly part of Chaghcharan District
- Lal Wa Sarjangal
- Pasaband
- Saghar
- Shahrak
- Taywara
- Tulak
Herat Province
- Adraskan
- Chishti Sharif
- Farsi
- Ghoryan
- Gulran
- Guzara
- Hirat
- Injil
- Karukh
- Kohsan
- Kushk
- Kushki Kuhna
- Obe
- Pashtun Zarghun
- Shindand
- Zinda Jan
South Eastern Afghanistan
Ghazni Province
- Ab Band
- Ajristan
- Andar
- Dih Yak
- Gelan
- Ghazni City
- Giro
- Jeghatoo (Waeez Shahid)
- Jaghuri
- Khugiani - created from parts of Waeez Shahid and Ghazni Districts
- Khwaja Umari - formerly part of Waeez Shahid District
- Malistan
- Muqur
- Nawa
- Nawur
- Qarabagh
- Rashidan - formerly part of Waeez Shahid District
- Waghaz - formerly part of Muqur District
- Zana Khan
Khost Province
- Bak
- Gurbuz
- Jaji Maydan
- Khost (Matun)
- Mandozai
- Musa Khel
- Nadir Shah Kot
- Qalandar
- Sabari
- Shamal - shifted from Paktia Province
- Spera
- Tani
- Tere Zayi
Paktia Province
- Ahmadabad - formerly part of Sayed Karam District
- Chamkani
- Dand Wa Patan
- Gardez
- Jaji
- Jani Khail
- Lazha Ahmad Khel
- Sayed Karam
- Shwak
- Wuza Zadran
- Zurmat
Paktika Province
- Barmal
- Dila
- Gayan
- Gomal
- Jani Khel - formerly part of Zarghun Shahr District
- Mata Khan
- Nika
- Omna
- Sar Hawza
- Sarobi
- Sharan
- Terwa - formerly part of Waza Khwa District
- Urgun
- Waza Khwa
- Wor Mamay
- Yahya Khel - formerly part of Zarghun Shahr District
- Yosuf Khel - formerly part of Zarghun Shahr District
- Zarghun Shahr
- Ziruk
South Western Afghanistan
Daykundi Province
- Gizab - shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Ishtarlay - created within the former Daykundi District; shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Kajran - shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Khadir - created within the former Daykundi District; shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Kiti - formerly part of Kajran District; shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Miramor - formerly part of Sharistan District; shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Nili - created within the former Daykundi District; shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Sangtakht - created within the former Daykundi District; shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Shahristan - shifted from Oruzgan Province
Helmand Province
- Baghran
- Dishu
- Garmsir
- Gerishk
- Kajaki
- Khanashin
- Lashkargah
- Musa Qala
- Nad Ali
- Nawa-I-Barakzayi
- Nawzad
- Sangin
- Washir
Kandahar Province
- Arghandab
- Arghistan
- Daman
- Ghorak
- Kandahar
- Khakrez
- Maruf
- Maywand
- Miyan Nasheen - formerly part of Shah Wali Kot District
- Naish - shifted from Oruzgan Province
- Panjwaye
- Reg
- Shah Wali Kot
- Shorabak
- Spin Boldak
- Zhari - created from parts of Maywand and Panjwaye Districts
Nimruz Province
Orūzgān Province
Zabul Province
- Argahandab
- Atghar
- Daychopan
- Kakar - formerly part of Argahandab District
- Mizan
- Naw Bahar - created from parts of Shamulzuyi and Shinkay Districts in Zabul Province .
- Qalat (Technically only a municipality, not a district)
- Shah Joy
- Shamulzayi
- Shinkay
- Tarnak Wa Jaldak
Jats in Afghanistan
Afghanistan was part of Bharat Varsh during Mahabharata period. The wife of Dhritrashtra, Gandhari, was from this area. Sometimes there were Indian rulers and sometimes there were Iranian rulers in Afghanistan. During Chandra Gupta’s period Saubhagsen was king in Afghanistan. Jat rulers till the invasion by Mughals ruled Kandahar. After the Mughal invasion some Jats moved to India and others were converted to Muslims. Jats from Afghanistan moved to India during the rule of Shalivahan. According to Henry Eliot, author of the book “Distribution of the races of north western provinces of India”, The Jats settled on the banks of Chenab River in Punjab, call there area as Herat because they believe that they had come from Herat of Iran. According to Thakur Deshraj the present Sistan was ruled by Jats and that area was known as Shivistan (place of Shivi gotra Jats). Cunningham states that Jats mixed with Rajputs and Afghans. Later these people were called Bloch.
Ram Sarup Joon[10] writes that .... Afghanistan was called Upguanstan, Baluchijostan both of that are Sanskrit words. Both these countries were part of India till, as late as the Mogul period. King Seth of the Ardas branch of Yayati dynasty had a son called Arh, whose son Gandhara founded the town of Gandhar, now known as Kandhar. Gandhari, mother
History of the Jats, End of Page-38
of Duryodhana was from this town. Jats have gotras of this dynasty named Gaindhar, Gaindhala and Gaindhu. King Gaj founded Ghazni.
Todd, quoting Strabo writes that a large number of people East of Caspian Sea are called Scythians and further East live the Dahiyas the Maha Jati, who used to provide three hundred horsemen and seven hundred foot soldiers in times of need.
Gedown and Niel write that the forefathers, of Laumiri Baluchis were Jats.
According to Todd, in ancient times the boundaries of Jat kingdom of Sindhu, included parts of Baluchistan, Makran, Balorari and the Salt Ranges.[11]
People of Gill gotra came to known as Gilzai Pathans; Gill Jats at one time ruled the area of Hindukush Mountains. The last ruler of Ghazni was Subhag Sen. At the time of Alexander's invasion king Chitra Verma ruled Baluchistan.
According to Todd, in 1023, Umer Bin Moosaiw wrested Hirat and Kaikan from the Jats and made 3000 Jat soldiers prisoners. The Tawarikh Tibri by Sulaiman Nadvi also mentions this event. It states that a Jat Commander of Umer Bin Moosa refused to join the attack. But in spite of this, Umer was victorious despite heavy losses.[12]
Sialkot and Quetta of Baluchistan were capitals of Madrak Kings.
Makran province of Baluchistan belonged to the Jats. When King Sapur the second of Sasanian dynasty
History of the Jats, End of Page-39
became friendly with Samudra Gupta, Sindhu and Makran provinces were given to the Jats.
In the history of the ruling dynasty of Jaisalmer there is reference to an event in Yudhisthra Samvat 3008, that when their ancestors were driven out of Gazni and were advancing towards India, they had to battle with Tak-is (Takshaks) on the banks of River Indus.
Migration of Jats
H. W. Bellew in book The Races of Afghanistan writes about the ancient history of Afghans and Jats as under:
And we know from the records of history that, apart from the transfer or displacement of populations consequent upon prior irruptions of Scythic hordes from the north-east, there took place about two centuries earlier, or during the fifth and beginning of the sixth of our era, a very powerful emigration of an Indian people from the western bank of the Indus to the valley of the Helmand and its tributary streams, towards a kindred people already settled there. (p.21)
This emigration en masse was owing, it would appear, to the irruption into the Indus valley of the Jats, and Katti, and other Scythic tribes, who about that period poured over the Hindu Kush. The Jats and Katti the Getes and Catti of European authors are now largely represented in this seat of their early conquest in the Jat (or Gujar as he is commonly styled) agricultural population of the Panjab, and in the Katti of Kattiwar or Kattiyawar. (p.21)
In Afghanistan the Jat is known by the name of Gujar, which is a Hindi term expressive of his calling as a rearer of cattle and a husbandman, and he is found in the greatest numbers in the Yusufzai country, especially in the hill districts of Swat, Buner, and Bajawar. (p.21-22)
This body of Indian emigrants, who migrated from the Indus to the Helmand, was composed of a people professing the Budhist religion, and who, fleeing away from the irresistible wave of Scythic invasion, abandoned their native country, and took along with them the most sacred and cherished relic of their spiritual lawgiver the water-pot of Budha. (p.22)
The Indian people who emigrated from the Indus and established themselves as a powerful colony on the Helmand were the Gandarii, and their country was the Gandaria of the Greek authors. They were the Gandhari, and their country the Sindhu Gandhara of the Hindu writers. (p.22-23)
Jat Places in Afghanistan
Main article: Jat Places in Afghanistan
Here are mentioned some of Jat places having connection with Jat History and Jat Clans.
Wardak وردګ (Pashtoپښتو/ wardak vardag vardak, Hindi:वरडक)) is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the centre of the country. Its capital is Meydan Shahr. It is associated with the history of Burdak Jat clan.
The records of Kushan ruler Havishka have been unearthed at Wardak, to the west of Kabul.[13] Bhim Singh Dahiya has mentioned about an inscription of Wardak near Kabul of the year 51 of Saka era (129 AD), which relates the establishment of the relic of Lord Buddha in a stupa by Vagramarega who is shown as a scion of Kama Gulya. Here it is related with clan name Gulya of the Jats. [14] Wardak is associated with the history of Burdak Jat clan. Jats in Afghanistan were of followers of Buddhism. About two thousand years back Kushan gotra Jat king Kanishka was ruler of Afghanistan also and his capital was Peshawar or Purushpur. His descendants ruled in Afghanistan till nineth vikram century.
Maharaja Gaj founded the Ghazni city of Afghanistan. Maharaja Gaj was killed in war with Mughals. Maharaja Gaj had sent his son Shalivahan to India before war with Mughals. The present Maharawal of Jaisalmer is descecdant of Maharaja Gaj. Mahraja Jaisalmer later on got converted to Rajput. The Gajrania gotra in jats is after Maharaja Gaj.
According to official gazette of Afghanistan there was Jat population of about 60000 in the year 1857 in Afghanistan. These used to be called Jats of Hind.
Some study about Afghanistan reveals that there are four provinces in Afghanistan in which I found similarity with Jat Gotras. These are: -
- Ghazni: - Founded by Jat Maharaja Gaj. Gajrania gotra is found in jats who are descendants of Raja Gaj. (Jat Samaj 3/1998)
- Kandahar: - It was founded by Kandahar gotra jats. Raj kumari of Kandahar was married to Maharaja Dhritarashtra. (Jat Samaj 3/1998)
- Takhar: - Takhar is a gotra in jats in India.
- Vardak: - It is similar to Burdak at times pronounced as Bardak.
Places in Afghanistan - Study of places in Afghanistan shows that there are many places in Afghanistan, which are after Jat gotra or names of Jat people. These names have no equivalent Sanskrit or Hindi names. This explains the movement of Jat people from Afghanistan to India. Almas, Bagram, Barazi, Baraz loghan, Barla, Bazar, Chahar, Chahar-borjak, Chahar-burjak, Kasawa, Ladu, Mahalla Sakhii, Mahalla Sakhri, Malla, Mano, Matu, Ma’dudi, Naik, Rohi, Rud, Saran, Sibji, Soran, Tabar, Takhra, Umara, Walian
References
- ↑ The Ancient Geography of India/Udyana, pp. 87-89
- ↑ Briggs's ' Ferishta,' i, p. 8.
- ↑ Pushtu Dictionary, in voce.
- ↑ Briggs's Translation, i. 7.
- ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Chapter IV (Page 337)
- ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Chapter IV (Page 411)
- ↑ Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas (Utpatti Aur Gaurav Khand)/Navam Parichhed,pp.147-151
- ↑ Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas (Utpatti Aur Gaurav Khand)/Navam Parichhed,p.151-153
- ↑ Studies in Asian History, 1969 pp.17-18
- ↑ Ram Sarup Joon: History of the Jats/Chapter III, pp.37-39
- ↑ Todds Rajasthan, Urdu Edition, p.198
- ↑ Todds Rajasthan, Urdu Edition, p.181
- ↑ RC Majumdar: An Advanced History of India, Page 116, ISBN 0333 90298 X
- ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya :Jats: The Ancient Rulers, p.41
Further reading
- Thakur Deshraj: Jat Itihas (Hindi), Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1934, 2nd edition 1992.
- Dr Natthan Singh: Jat - Itihas (Hindi), Jat Samaj Kalyan Parishad Gwalior, 2004
- James Legge: A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms :Being an Account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Hien of his Travels in India and Ceylon (A.D. 399-414) in Search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline, Translated and annotated with a Corean recension of the Chinese text
- Ram Swarup Joon: History of the Jats, Rohtak, India (1938, 1967)
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