| Kapisa (کاپیسا) | |
| Province | |
| Country |  Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Capital | Mahmud-i-Raqi |
| - coordinates | 35°00′N 69°42′E / 35.0°N 69.7°E |
| Area | 1,842 km2 (711 sq mi) |
| Population | 364,900 [1] |
| Density | 195 /km2 (505 /sq mi) |
| Timezone | UTC+4:30 |
| Main language | Pashayi Dari Persian Pashto |
 Map of
Afghanistan with Kapisa highlighted
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Kapisa (Persian/Pashto: کاپيسا) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the north-east of the country. Its capital is Mahmud-i-Raqi, and other districts include Kohistan, Nijrab and Tagab. The population of Kapisa is estimated to be 364,900, although there has never been an official figure. The area of the province is 1,842 km².[2]
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The earliest references to Kapisa appear in the writings of fifth century BCE Indian scholar Panini. Panini refers to the city of Kapiśi, a city of the Kapisa kingdom.[3] Panini also refers to Kapiśayana,[4] a famous wine from Kapisa.[5] The city of Kapiśi also appeared as Kaviśiye on Graeco-Indian coins of Appolodotus/Eucratides.[6]
Archeology discoveries in 1939 confirm that the city of Kapisa was an emporium for Kapiśayana wine, discovering numerous glass flasks, fish-shaped wine jars, and drinking cups typical of the wine trade of the era.[7] The grapes (Kapiśayani Draksha) and wine (Kapiśayani Madhu) of the area are referred to by several works of ancient Indian literature.[8] The scholar Mahabharata also noted the common practice of slavery in the city.[9]
According to the scholar Pliny, the city of Kapiśi (also referred to as Kaphusa by Pliny's copyist Solinus [10] and Kapisene by other classical chroniclers) was destroyed in the sixth century BCE by the Achaemenian emperor Cyrus (Kurush) (559-530 BC). In later times, Kapisa seems to have been part of a kingdom ruled by a Buddhist Kshatriya king holding sway over ten neighboring states including Lampaka, Nagarahara, Gandhara and Banu, according to the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited in 644 AD. [11] Hiuen Tsang notes the Shen breed of horses from the area, and also notes the production of many types of cereals and fruits, as well as a scented root called Yu-kin.
Currently, the governor of Kapisa province is Ghulam Qawis Abubaker. The previous governor of the province, Abdul Sattar Murad, was removed from office in July 2007 by President Hamid Karzai, and a replacement has not yet been named. The ostensible reason for Murad's removal was 'ineffective governance', but it was widely believed by press sources that Murad was removed because of critical comments he made in a Newsweek interview regarding the central government's ineffectiveness in remote areas of the province.[12][13]
2006 and 2007 have seen increased insurgent activity in the province. Southern areas of the province, in particular the Tagab district, have been the site of repeated clashes between U.S./Afghan forces and insurgent groups.[14]
On 17 November 2009 Taliban militans fired rockets on a bazaar in Tagab district where French Forces were meeting with Tribal elders. killing 10 Afghan civilians and wounding 28. [15]
| District | District Center | Population | Area[16] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alasay | ||||
| Hesa Awal Kohistan | Created in 2005 within Kohistan District | |||
| Hesa Duwum Kohistan | Created in 2005 within Kohistan District | |||
| Koh Band | ||||
| Mahmud Raqi | ||||
| Nijrab | ||||
| Tagab |
The population of the province is around 364,900 people. The major ethnic groups are Tajiks (30%), Pashtuns (27%) and Pashai (17%).[17][1] There are also Nuristanis.
Agriculture is the most general and usual means of sustenance. One particular crop, Saffron, has been introduced as a major trade commodity in the province.
Once a week, a trade day (called a Mela) occurs. The concept of the Mela is ancient, and translates to "party" in Sanskrit, as the event is as much a social event as a trade day.
Currently, there is one hospital in the province. Previously, the province contained a textile company and cinema, which were both destroyed during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Kapisa is home to Al Biruni university, named after the Islamic scholar Alberuni. The university offers programs in Engineering, Medicine, Law, and Literature, and is located in the Hesa Awal Kohistan district.
Currently, the number of girls schools is limited, but has increased through the efforts of charities and NGOs.
The Kapisa province is served by the Parwan-Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team.
On January 19, 2009, coalition military forces led a raid near the village of Inzeri in the Tagab district of Kapisa. While coalition forces claimed at least 15 militants were killed (including a local Taliban commander), local villagers claimed that many of those killed were actually civilians. The raid was strongly criticized by Afghan president Hamid Karzai, who stated that such raids undetermine the national government.
The villagers were paid a total of $40,000 in condolence payments, and received an apology for any civilian deaths.[1]
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