Gardez

Gardez is an ancient settlement, located within a large intramountainous depression in the Sulaiman Mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Archaeological discoveries, including Greek, Sassanid, Hephthalite, and Hindu Shahi coins give an insight into the rich history of Gardez. A 7th century Ganesha statue has also been discovered in Gardez. During the 8th century, the Lawik rulers of the region adopted Islam. They formerly practiced either Buddhism or Hinduism, since they were associated with the Buddhist Kabul Shahis, and later with the Hindu Shahis (based in Gandhara, in present-day north-west Pakistan). Gardez later became a center of Kharijism and suffered several attacks by anti-Kharijite military chiefs. According to Zayn al-Akhbar, written by historian Abu Sa'id Gardezi, Abu Mansur Aflah Lawik was reduced to a tributary status in Gardez by Emir Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar in 877. …

Gardez is at an elevation of approximately 2,300 m (7,500 ft) above sea level, making it the third-highest provincial capital in Afghanistan, and is not far from the Tora Bora region of caves and tunnels. The "old town" is located at the foot of the Paktia Bala Hisar fortress, which is currently being rebuilt. The city receives water from the upper course of the Gardez River, which flows southwest into the Ab-i Istada lake in the Nawa District of Ghazni Province. Gardez is around 70 km (43 mi) northwest of Khost and 100 km (62 mi) south of Kabul. The city is at a junction between two important roads, one connecting Kabul with Khost and the other linking Ghazni with Dand-Patan District next to the Durand Line (Afghanistan-Pakistan border). Gardez is administratively divided into approximately 6 city districts (nahias), covering a land area of 62 km2 (24 sq mi) or 6,174 ha (23.84 sq mi). …

Most residents of Gardez are involved in agriculture, trade and transport. Pine nuts are among the noteworthy export products of the area. The city has a small number of factories. Some residents go to work in Kabul or in other Afghan cities.