Maimana

Introducing Maimana

The capital of Faryab, the largely Uzbek town of Maimana has an easy-going provincial air. Horse-drawn taxis are the order of the day as much as cars, bumping along the rough roads and throwing up plumes of dust. Respite only comes with the spring rains, when the streets become a mess of sticky mud.

According to early Arab accounts, Maimana was founded by Israelites exiled from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, although archaeological digs have uncovered Neolithic beads in the area indicating much older habitation. The city grew and prospered, even taking the obligatory levelling by Genghis Khan in its stride.

Maimana rose again to become a powerful khanate, which spent much of its time playing off the rivalry between Kabul and Bukhara to its own advantage. It was a thorn in the side of Afghan amirs throughout the century, only being forced into the Afghan state at the end of a gun wielded by Abdur Rahman Khan in 1884, the last of the independent Uzbek city states.

Modern Maimana is a lot more relaxed now. The town is centred on a large park surrounded by pines, once the site of Maimana’s Citadel. The main bazaar areas are to the north, between the park and the Maimana river. Monday and Thursday are the busiest bazaar days. Look out for the bright chapans and gilims for sale. A Norwegian PRT is based on the east side of the park.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009