Shindand District

Shindand (Pashto: شين ډنډ‎; formerly known as Sabzwar (سبزوار) ), is one of the 16 districts of Herat Province, in western Afghanistan, and is situated in the southern part of that province. It borders Adraskan District to the north, Ghor Province to the east and Farah Province to the south and west. The population was 173,800 (as of 2012). The district center is the town of Shindand, which boasts a very active market area. Shindand Air Base is located near the town. The main Herat-Kandahar road passes through the district. The Zerekoh Valley is in the district.

History

Its ancient name was Esfezar as still an Iranian small city, more a village, close to the border of Afghanistan on the Iranian side. Notable historical sites in Shindand include Qala-Dokhtar and Qala Rustam-Zal.

Divisions

Shindand District is divided into five bigger districts, namely: Zawol, Zerkoh, Poshteh-Koh, Kooh-Zoor and Qasaba. Shindand District is one of the most diverse and wide districts in Afghanistan, representing thirty different Afghan tribes which include both Tajik and Pashtun groups and sub-groups. Ismail Khan, the current Minister of Energy and Water is still ruling in this district and have major support, specially among his Tajik fellows. Ismail Khan hails from Shindand province.