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Takhar Province

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Takhar
تخار
Province
From the top, Warsaj District, View from atop a hill in Khawajah Bahawuddin, Darqad District
Map of Afghanistan with Takhar highlighted
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
CapitalTaloqan
Government
 • GovernorMawlawi Zia ur Rahman Madani [1]
 • Deputy GovernorHaji Kazim[2]
 • Police ChiefHabibullah Shakir [3]
Area
 • Total
12,333 km2 (4,762 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[4]
 • Total
1,113,173
 • Density90.260/km2 (233.77/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Time)
Postal code
37xx
Main languagesPersian, Uzbek
Websitehttp://takhar.gov.af/en/
Persian language

Takhar (Pashto[a], Dari[b]: تخار) is one of the 34 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

Early history

The region of present-day Takhar Province was historically part of a broader cultural and political zone known as Takharistan, referenced in early Iranian traditions. It formed part of ancient Bactria, a major center of civilization in Central Asia. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited by Indo-Iranian populations and later came under the influence of Hellenistic culture following the campaigns of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. [6]

One of the most significant archaeological sites in the province is Ai-Khanoum, located near the Amu Darya and the Kokcha River. Established during the Hellenistic period, the city is widely believed to have been a major urban center of the Greco-Bacterian Kingdom. Excavations have revealed a well-planned city layout, including administrative buildings, temples, and residential quarters, along with artifacts such as coins, sculptures, and ceramics that reflect a fusion of Greek and local traditions. [7]

During the early centuries CE, the region became part of the Kushan Empire, which played a key role in facilitating trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. This period saw the spread the spread of Buddhism and the development of Greco-Buddhist artistic traditions in the wider region. The historical city of Taloqan, which later became the provincial capital, also emerged as an important settlement during antiquity. [7]

7th to 16th centuries

From the 7th century onward, the region of Takhar was gradually incorporated into the expanding Islamic world following Arab conquests. It became part of successive Islamic dynasties that ruled over Transoxiana and Greater Khorasan, contributing to the region’s integration into broader political and cultural networks of the medieval Islamic world.[6]

During this period, Taliqan developed as a regional center of administration and trade. The population largely adopted Islam, while elements of earlier cultural traditions persisted in local customs and practices.[8]

In the 13th century, the region experienced significant disruption during the Mongol invasions led by Genghis Khan. The city of Ai-Khanoum and other settlements were destroyed or abandoned during this time.[7]

In the centuries that followed, Takhar came under the control of various regional powers, including the Timurids and later Central Asian khanates. [8]

By the late medieval period, Takhar formed part of the wider historical region of Qataghan, maintaining its role as a link between Central Asia and northern Afghanistan.[7][8]

16th to 20th centuries

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

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

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 minor 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.[9]

In May 2009, Taliban insurgents fighting Afghan government attacked the Baharak district in Takhar province.[10] 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.[11][12]

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.[13]

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. On 8 August 2021, the Taliban eventually gained control of the province but despite this, the Resistance Forces have remained present in the area.

2015 earthquake

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.[14]

Administrative divisions

Districts of Takhar
Map of the districts of Takhar as of January 2004, prior to the redrawing of provincial and district boundaries later that year
Districts of Takhar Province
District Capital Population[4] Area
in km2		 Pop.
density		 Number of villages and ethnic groups
Baharak_34,9423799274 villages. 83% Tajik, 10% Pashtun, 5% Uzbeks, 2% Hazara.[15]
Bangi_39,7254349259 villages. 80% Tajik, 10% Uzbek, 6% Hazara, 4% Pashtun.[16]
Chah Ab_90,01183310863 villages. 98% Tajik, 2% Uzbek.[17]
Chal_31,8854047958 villages. 55% Tajik, 38% Uzbek, 5% Hazara, 1% Pashtun, 1% Gujar.[18]
Darqad_30,4243109834 villages. Predominantely Uzbek, few Tajik.
Dashti Qala_36,13731411549 villages. 70% Tajik, 25% Uzbek, 5% Pashtun[19]
Farkhar_53,0511,3064175 villages. 95% Tajik, 4% Hazara, 1% Uzbek.[20]
Hazar Sumuch_15,5452655928 villages.PredominantlyPashtun,Few Uzbek, Turkmen & Tajik.
Ishkamish_66,69594870103 villages. 40% Tajik, 30% Uzbek, 20% Pashtun, 10% Gujar.[21]
Kalafgan_39,8585267642 villages 95% Uzbek, 2% Hazara, 2% Tajik, 1% Pashtun.[22]
Khwaja Bahauddin_26,30618214425 villages. Predominantely Uzbek.
Khwaja Ghar_76,13240418862 villages. 70% Uzbek, 20% Pashtun, 10% Tajik.[23]
Namak Ab13,8174313228 villages. 100% Tajik.
Rustaq_186,1441,824102179 villages 70% Tajik,30% Uzbek[24]
TaluqanTaluqan258,72483331140% Uzbek,40% Tajik, 10% Pashtun, 5% Hazara, 5% Baloch and Turkmen.[25]
Warsaj_42,9142,6681694 villages. 100% Tajik.[26]
Yangi Qala_50,78236014164 villages 65% Uzbeks, 18% Pashtun, 15% Tajik, 2% Hazara.[27]
Takhar Taluqan 1,093,092 12,458 88 51.6% Tajiks, 34% Uzbeks, 8.0% Pashtuns, 2.1% Hazaras, 0.6% Gujar, 0.5% Baloch, <0.5% Turkmen.[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

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.

Demographics

Ethnolinguistic groups in Afghanistan

Population

As of 2021, the total population of the province is about 1,113,173.[4]

Ethnicity, languages and religion

Takhar is mostly tribal and a rural society. The main inhabitants of Takhar province are majority Tajiks and Uzbeks with aboriginal Pashtun minority . Other smaller ethnic groups include Hazaras, Gujars and Balochi.

Estimated ethnolinguistic and -religious composition
Ethnicity Uzbek Tajik/
Farsiwan		 Pashtun Hazara Arab Others Sources
Period
2004–2021
(Islamic Republic)		 44 – 53% 37 – 42% 4 – 10% 2 – <4% 0 – 3% 1 – <4%
2020 EU[28] 1st2nd––––
2019 AA[29] 53%37%4%2%3%1%
2018 UN[30] 44% 42% 10% ∅ – ∅[c]
2015 CSSF[d][31] ∅predominant∅[e]∅––
2015 CP[32] ∅∅∅∅––
2015 NPS[33] ∅∅∅[e]∅––
2011 PRT[34] majority minority[f] – –
2011 USA[35] majority minority – –
Legend:

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Pashto pronunciation: [t̪a.xɑr]
  2. ↑ Dari pronunciation: [t̪ʰä.xɑːɾ]
  3. ↑ incl. Baloch, Pashayi and Gujjar.
  4. ↑ Demographic information is based on data from 2015.
  5. 1 2 incl. Kochi.
  6. ↑ excl. Kochi.

References

  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". خبرگزاری جمهور. 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. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 "Takhar - Program for Culture and Conflict Studies - Naval Postgraduate School". nps.edu. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Afghanistan's Takhar Province". Tajiks of Afghanistan. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "Provincial Profile - TAKHAR -" (PDF). Regional Rural Economic Regeneration Strategies (RRERS). 3: 6.
  9. ↑ "Takhar police kill Taliban commander"
  10. ↑ "Taliban attack district in NE Afghanistan". Military-world.net. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "Three German soldiers die in Afghan attack". Thepeninsulaqatar.com. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  12. ↑ Gambrell, Jon (29 May 2011). "Taliban suicide bomb hits Afghan governor's complex". Boston.com. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  13. ↑ Masoud Popalzai (17 April 2012). "Extremists poison schoolgirls' water, Afghan officials say". CNN. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  14. ↑ USGS. "M7.5 - 45 km E of Farkhar, Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey.
  15. ↑ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2014.
  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 18 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "UNHCR Sub-Office 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 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.
  25. ↑ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
  26. ↑ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
  27. ↑ "UNHCR Sub-Office MAZAR-i-SHARIF DISTRICT PROFILE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2005.
  28. ↑ "Country Guidance: Afghanistan. Common analysis and guidance note" (PDF). European Union Agency for Asylum. 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  29. ↑ ARC GbR. Koehler & Gosztonyi (January 2019). "SPNA Endline Report – A four-wave impact assessment of a stabilisation programme in North-East Afghanistan" (PDF). Auswärtiges Amt. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  30. ↑ Ramizpoor (2018). "Afghan People's Dialogue on Peace: Local Road Maps for Peace – Kabul and Surrounding Provinces" (PDF). United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  31. ↑ "State of Families CSSF Report: Takhar, Afghanistan". 20 March 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  32. ↑ "Afghanistan National Drug Use Survey" (PDF). Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  33. ↑ "Takhar- Program for Culture and Conflict Studies - Naval Postgraduate School". nps.edu. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  34. ↑ "Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Team" (PDF). February 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  35. ↑ "U.S. Army Afghanistan Smart Book, Third Edition" (PDF). January 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
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