Cities of Islam: Kabul
Although it is currently associated with unfortunate events, we will talk about Kabul, a city with a rich history and culture. In our article, you will find the story of its name, the iconic structure of the city, important information about its history, and culture. Enjoy your reading 🙂
A Capital in the East of Afghanistan
Afghanistan is an Asian country bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north. Kabul is the capital and the largest city of this country. It is also the commercial and cultural center of the nation. The capital is situated on the banks of the Kabul River, and its existence dates back to around 1500 BCE.
The Origin of the Name Kabul
In Turkish, the original name, pronounced as “Kabil” in Turkish, is “Kâbul.” It appears as “Kaboura” on the banks of the Kophen River in Ptolemy’s “Geography” and as “Kaofu” in Chinese travelogues. It first appears in Arab sources during the pre-Islamic era in poetry, referring to the Turks and “Kabul.”
Islamic Dominion from the 900s to the Present
Kabul came into contact with Islam during the reign of the Samanids, particularly during the times of Alp Tegin (d. 963) and Sebük Tegin (d. 977). However, it fully embraced Islam during the rule of Mahmud of Ghazni. Based on this, it can be said that Kabul has been under Islamic influence for approximately 1100 years, starting from the 900s.
Iconic Structure of Kabul: Bala Hisar
Bala Hisar, located south of the modern city center behind the Kuh-e-Sherdarwaza Mountain, is believed to have been built around the 5th century CE. Its walls, 4 meters thick and 6 meters high, extend from Kuh-e-Sherdarwaza Mountain to the river. The ruins of Bala Hisar are among the most visited tourist spots in Kabul today.
Historical Garden of Kabul: Babur Gardens
Babur Gardens, built in 1528, were planned by Babur, the founder and first ruler of the Mughal Empire. He detailed the garden plans in his memoir, the “Baburnama.” In his later years, Babur expressed his desire to be buried in Babur Gardens, so the historical gardens were built around his tomb.
An Archaeology Museum: National Museum of Afghanistan
Established in 1922, the National Museum of Afghanistan is one of the most important museums in Asia. It is a fascinating archaeological museum known for its exhibited archaeological artifacts and numismatic collection.
A Mosque with Over 150,000 Books
The Abdul Rahman Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Afghanistan, with a capacity of 10,000 worshippers. It is also known as the Grand Mosque. In addition to its size, the mosque is noteworthy for housing a library with over 150,000 books.
The Main Mosque of Kabul
The largest second mosque in Kabul is the Id Gah Mosque. It hosts one million people for the prayers of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. Due to this, the Id Gah Mosque is considered the main mosque of Kabul. This splendid mosque is built in the Babur architectural style.
Population of Kabul City
Official population counts in Afghanistan have not been conducted since 1979. According to the 1979 census, Afghanistan’s population was 15 million. However, according to the Afghanistan Statistical Office’s 2015 estimates, the population is approximately 32.5 million. Similarly, the estimated population of the capital, Kabul, in 2015 was 3.3 million.
