Khanashin Castle

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By: Dr. Mohammad M. Siddiqui

About 2000 years ago Afghanistan was at the center of civilization, between the empires of India, Persia and Central Asia. After defeating Achaemenid empire in 330 BC, Alexander invaded Afghanistan. During his era various fortresses were

built in southern and northern Afghanistan. Khanashin Castle may be one of those fortresses. It is also believed that Khanashin Castle was a Caravan Sarai, used to accommodate traders and their convoys, travelling on the ancient trade route. Helmand province has a long border with Pakistan through Chagai hills and Registan desert. Helmand province also provides a rout to Iran through Nimroz province and still it is a popular route for seasonal immigration to Iran. Every year at the start of winter, dozens of pickups carrying seasonal worker to Iran are passing through Khanashin.

Khanashin Castle is a mud structure. Roofs and walls are built with uncooked mud bricks. All original structures inside the Castle are now gone. Only a thick mud boundary walls with the remnants of sentry posts are still standing. These walls are so thick that one can easily run on them.

The Castle mosque which is located at the south end of the Castle was recently repaired.

There was also an old bazaar next to the castle which was demolished last year by the Khanashin Municipality and is replaced with a new bazaar. Before soviet invasion an hospital was built inside the castle. Still few hospital rooms, riddled with bullets are standing inside the castle.During last 35 years of fighting between various rival groups, the control of the Castle was always considered crucial to gain a control of Khanashin. During July, 2009, operation “Khanjar”, lead by Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces, the emphasis was also to capture the Castle first.

In 2013 a new district center was constructed inside the castle. District Police Headquarter is also located in the castle. A US Marines base “COP Castle” was also established inside the Castle. The US base was closed in 2013. Khanashin Castle is the only significant building in the area and was always a headquarter of the ruling group, but no one has paid any attention to repair and restore its dignity. These were the Castle’s walls which witnessed about 2000 years of Khanashin history and sustained bullets and mortar rounds during the recent fights, but now these walls are at the verge of collapse. After a few years we may not be left with any standing structure of the Castle to tell our children a chapter of glorious history of Khanashin specifically and Afghanistan in general.