Istalif
Istālif
استالف | |
|---|---|
Village | |
UTC+4:30 |
Istālif (
Shomali Plains, west of Kalakan and south-west of Bagram. It is the center of Istalif District, Kabul Province, Afghanistan
. Istalif is famous for its handmade glazed potteries.
Etymology
Its name might derive from Greek staphile ("bunch of grapes") or
Parachi
estuf ("cow-parsnip").
History
Istalif was always renowned as one of the most beautiful places in Afghanistan – the Emperor
Dost Mohammed
in the 19th century, had come here to relax amid the plane and walnut trees. He described that the mountains streams are full of fishes and the orchards and vineyards are richest.
During the final phase of the
General Pollock's Army of Retribution marched into Kabul, many families fled to Istalif. Troops were dispatched, which surrounded the town, attacked, and then systemically pillaged it. The British and Indian soldiers set fire to the cotton cloth of their victims and burnt them alive. They raped and massacred women and children as well.[2]
Until 1998 it was a breadbasket for the region and was surrounded by lush orchards growing grapes, roses and wheat. That year the Taliban came to the village, cutting down trees, burning homes and killing livestock. After destruction, the village has been rebuilding itself after 2002.[3]
Gallery
-
Postcard of Istalif, circa 1950s -
Inside Istalif after the Taliban war
References
- ^ National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Geonames database entry. (search) Accessed 2011-05-12.
- Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan. New York: Knopf, 2013. Print. pp. 407-409
- ^ "Feature: Saving private ruins in Istalif, Afghanistan".
External links
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Istalif.
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