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Lashkar Gah لښکرګاه |
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Lashkar Gah
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| Coordinates: 31°34′59″N 64°22′9″E / 31.58306°N 64.36917°E | |
| Country |  Afghanistan |
| Province | Helmand Province |
| District | |
| Elevation | 2,536 ft (773 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 201,546 |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | UTC+4:30 |
Lashkar Gah (Pashto: لښکرګاه, Persian: لشکرگاه), historically also called Bost, is a city in southern Afghanistan and the capital of Helmand Province, located in Lashkar Gah district. It is situated between the Helmand and Arghandab rivers. Lashkar Gah is linked by highways with Kandahar to the east, Zaranj to the west and Herat to the north-west. It is mostly very arid and desolate. However, farming does exist around the Helmand and Arghandab rivers. Bost Airport is located on the east bank of the Helmand River, five miles north of the junction of the Helmand and Argahandab rivers.
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Lashkar Gah means "army barracks" in Persian. It grew up a thousand years ago as a riverside barracks town for soldiers accompanying the Ghaznavid nobility to their grand winter capital of Bost. The ruins of the Ghaznavid mansions still stand along the Helmand River; the city of Bost and its outlying communities were sacked in successive centuries by the Ghorids, Genghis Khan, and Timur Leng.
The great fortress of Bost, Qala-e-Bost, remains an impressive ruin at the convergence of the Helmand and Arghandab Rivers, a half hour's drive south of Lashkar Gah. Qala-e-Bost is famous for its decorative arch, which appears on the 100 Afghani note (Afghan currency). As of April 2008, it was possible to descend into an ancient shaft about 20 feet across and 200 feet deep, with a series of dark side rooms and a spiral staircase leading to the bottom. In 2006 construction began on a cobblestone road to lead from the south of Lashkar Gah to the Qala-e-Bost Arch (known to readers of James A. Michener's Caravans as Qala Bist.)[1]
The modern city of Lashkar Gah was built as a headquarters for American engineers working on the Helmand Valley Authority (HVA) irrigation project in the 1950s, modeled after the Tennessee Valley Authority TVA in the US. Lashkar Gah was built using American designs, with broad tree-lined streets and brick houses with no walls separating them from the street. In the wake of the Soviet invasion and the long Afghan civil war, the trees mostly came down and walls went up.
The massive Helmand irrigation project in the 1940s-1970s created one of the most extensive farming zones in southern Afghanistan, opening up many thousands of hectares of desert to human cultivation and habitation. The project focused on three large canals: the Boghra, Shamalan, and Darweshan. Responsibility for maintaining the canals was given to the Helmand Arghandab Valley Authority (HAVA), a semi-independent government agency whose authority (in its heyday) rivaled that of the provincial governors.
Helmand river is the longest in Afghanistan by the length of 1,150 km. the river rises from Hindu Kush and ends Hamun-i-Helmand in Sistan & Baluchistan province of Iran. One of the two primary arms of the river crosses through Lashkar Gah, imparting an attractive air of a riverside city to it. It makes for a pleasant setting for the citizens of Lashkar Gah to picnic. The river is deep enough at Lashkar Gah to allow for varied water sports, including swimming and boating. Boats are available for hire to the citizens. Mirwais Neka park was recently built on the banks of the River. There is a large thicket located on the opposite side of the river from the city. Many types of trees and different species of birds, mammals and reptiles inhabit the thicket.
The level of education in Lashkar Gah had been very high during 1960s and 70s before the Soviet Invasion and Civil War. The students were talented, active and hard workers. They were always on good positions in Universities. There are around 27 schools, 1 Teachers training Institute, 1 Agriculture School and Bost University in Lashkargah. The University was registered with Ministry of Higher Education in 2007 and was inaugurated by former governor of Helmand Assadullah Wafa. Bost University currently provides only in the field of Agriculture. There are also many computer and English language courses in the city and thousands of students are learning in it. Besides the activities of Department of Culture and Information of Helmand, the youths are also actively involved in different cultural and educational activities. There are different cultural groups operating in Lashkargah city which are Helmand Youths Organization, Bost Cultural Society, Allama Mahmud Tarzi Educational and Cultural Association and Helmand Cultural Group. There are also various cultural and educational websites which are made and updated by Helmand students and cultural organizations. There is a broad use of Media in Lashkargah. The use of Radio, Television, Internet have significantly increased among people. Several Radios are broadcasting in Lashkar Gah for example, Sabawoon Radio station, Samoon Radio station and Helmand Radio. There is also Bost Television channel broadcasting from Lashkargah.
Lashkar Gah city has become vast and bigger than before. Many houses, markets and roads are built. Number of people have moved from villages toward city and that have increased in the population of this city. Big government projects were applied through which a lot of land was distributed to people which added to the size of the city. People are not willing to make mud homes anymore and that’s why houses in lashkargah are mostly build on modern designs. The current Governor of Helmand province, Gulab Mangal, is paying great attention to the development of Lashkargah. The Governor’s office and Justice Department were recently renovated, A new Police Headquarter and Eidgah were built. Nearly all roads in Lashkargah are asphalted. The International Organizations and PRT in Lashkargah have completed many rehabilitation and infrastructure projects. Buildings, schools, roads, parks and other various projects are examples of it. The big project going on is the project named ‘’ Lashkar Gah Bost Airport and Agriculture Center’’. This project consists of an Agriculture center], Industrial Park and Upgrade of Bost Airport.
Football is very popular in Lashkar Gah. There are many football teams and different tournaments are played. Lashkar Gah team also participates in tournaments held in other provinces. In their recent participation in a tournament in Kandahar, they sealed their place in final. Lashkar Gah football stadium was rebuilt in 2006 and has a capacity of more than 10,000 spectators. volleyball is also played in Lashkargah and various teams are present. Some players of volleyball have received offers to become member of National volleyball team. After the National team of Cricket achieved very quick popularity and success, it effected many provinces in the aspect of cricket and Lashkar Gah is one of them. Currently 13 registered cricket teams are playing at the new Karzai Stadium in Lashkar Gah which was completed in the summer of 2009.[2]
Bodybuilding has also attracted many youths of Lashkar Gah. There are several Gyms in the city. Aziz Ahmad Nikyar gained the title of Mr. Afghanistan in 2006 and also participated in the 2006 Asian Games representing Afghanistan and Shukrullah was Mr. Afghanistan of 2009. Other games played in Lashkar Gah are Taek won do, Boxing, Snooker, Chess and many more.
 Sunset over Helmand River |
 Houses near to the River. |
 Boat Riding. The Jungle is located on the other side. |
  | Pictures from Helmand Province - Landskabet i Helmand |
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