Qalat قلات |
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Location in Afghanistan | |
Coordinates: 32°6′22″N 66°54′25″E / 32.10611°N 66.90694°ECoordinates: 32°6′22″N 66°54′25″E / 32.10611°N 66.90694°E | |
Country | Afghanistan |
Province | Zabul Province |
Elevation | 5,090 ft (1,550 m) |
Population (2015) | |
• City | 49,158 |
• Urban | 49,158 |
Time zone | UTC+4:30 |
Qalāt (Pashto/Persian: قلات), also Qalāt-e Ghiljī or Kalāt-e Ghiljī (Pashto: قلات غلجي), is a town in southern Afghanistan and the capital of Zabul Province. It is linked by Highway 1 with Kandahar to the southwest and Ghazni to the northeast. The population of the town are ethnic Pashtun tribes.
The total population of Qalat city is 49,158 (2015). The city has 4 police districts (nahias) with a total land area of 4,820 Hectares and 5,462 total number of dwellings.
Qalat is a Provincial Centre located in southern Afghanistan. Barren land is the dominant land use classification 59% of total land. While built-up land use only accounts for 19% of total land use, within that classification there is a large proportion of institutional land (33%). Qalat also has two distinct industrial areas in Districts 2 and 3.
In 2006, Zabul's first airport was built near Qalat. Qalat became home to the U.S.-led Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, which began assisting in development projects and building governance throughout the province.
Qalat has been known as Qalāt-e Ghiljī, Qalāt-e Khiljī, Qalāt-e Tokhī, or simply Qalāt or Kalāt.
The history of the area is not well documented by western sources and is marred with periods of tribal conflict, leading the area to change hands many times over the course of many years.
A political mission came through the city April 16, 1857 en route to Kandahar to broker a new treaty of friendship between the British government at Peshawar and the Amir of Kabul. The party was greeted by a group sent out by the heir-apparent to welcome them and check on the party's supplies. Two companies of infantry were formed so the British could inspect the troops. Afterwards, a shura was held.
Sher Ali Khan captured the city on January 22, 1867. In the battle, he lost a son, Mahomed Ali, killed in single combat by his uncle. His uncle was subsequently killed