Why Kholm
Kholm, historically referred to as Tashqurghan, is an ancient, densely populated town situated in the Balkh Province of northern Afghanistan. Positioned on the fertile inland delta fan of the Khulm River within the Oxus plain, it lies approximately 60 kilometers east of Mazar-i-Sharif along the route toward Kunduz. The surrounding area is widely recognized for its productive orchards and rich agricultural land.
For centuries, the settlement served as a notable stop along the Silk Road network connecting Europe, China, and India. Following its destruction in the eighteenth century, a new town was established nearby in the early nineteenth century and rapidly grew into a central trade hub. Camel caravans transported diverse commodities across the region, including textiles, spices, tea, glassware, and metal products. Although its role in international transit diminished during the twentieth century, local craftspeople and Central Asian artisans sustained the town as a production center for handcrafted everyday goods.
Visitors to Kholm can explore its historic bazaar area, which features a famous covered market known as the Tim, designated as a national monument. Recognized by UNESCO in the 1970s as a town of art-historical significance, Kholm developed a popular market for antiques, particularly after the opening of the asphalt highway connecting Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif in the 1960s greatly reduced travel times.
On the southern outskirts of the town near the Ring Road highway lies the Bagh-e Jahan Nama Palace complex. Originally constructed between 1890 and 1892 by Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, the site underwent a comprehensive community-based restoration completed in 2013 to establish a museum and heritage center. The palace is surrounded by an extensive terraced garden that steps down nine meters across eight levels, designed to feature fruit trees, varied plant life, and traditional landscape elements.
Culturally, Kholm is primarily inhabited by Dari-speaking Tajiks, alongside minority groups including Pashtuns, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Persian-speaking populations of historical Arab lineage. Today, the town maintains its regional identity as a vibrant market center for wood, sheep, and local crafts.
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