Herat Province

The region of Herat was historically part of Greater Khorasan, which was successively controlled by the Tahirids followed by the Saffarids, Samanids, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Ilkhanids, Timurids, Safavids, Hotakis, Afsharids, Durranis, Qajarids until it became part of the modern state of Afghanistan. During the 19th century, the British arrived from southern Afghanistan as part of the "Great Game" and backed up the Afghans during one Persian siege and one capture of the city, the former in 1838, and the latter in 1856 in order to prevent Persian or Russian influence reaching deeper in South Asia, and also, more importantly, to protect Britain's colony in India as part of the Great Game. The situation in the province then remained quiet and uneventful until the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The province saw a number of battles during the 1980s Soviet war, and remained an active area of guerrilla warfare throughout, with local mujahideen commander Ismail Khan leading resistance against the Soviet-backed Afghan government. This continued until the Soviet Union withdrew all its forces in 1989. When the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, Khan became the governor of the province, a position he retained until the Taliban forces from the south took control of the province in 1995. Following the ousting of the Taliban and establishment of the Karzai administration in late 2001, led by Hamid Karzai, Khan once again became governor of Herat. Khan become a figure of controversy when the media began reporting that he was attempting to restrict freedom of the people, and that he was becoming more of an independent ruler as a warlord. He lost a son, Mirwais Sadiq, in 2004 during a fight with forces of other warlords. In response to this, the central government began expanding into the province with the newly trained Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Khan was ordered to leave his post to become a minister and live in Kabul. After 2005, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) established a presence in the area to help assist the Afghan government. It was led by Italy. A multi-national Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was also established to help the local population of the province. The United States established a consulate in Herat, trained Afghan security forces, and built schools and clinics. Herat was one of the first seven areas that transitioned security responsibility from NATO to Afghanistan. On 21 July 2011, Afghan security forces assumed lead security responsibility from NATO. On the occasion, Minister of Defence Wardak told the audience, "This is our national responsibility to take over our security and defend our country." In December 2012, Afghanistan and Italy signed a "long term agreement" including a €150 million soft loan facility for infrastructure projects in Herat Province. In 2014 the agreement for a first soft loan worth about US$32 million was agreed for the upgrade of the Herat airport. In 2016 a second soft loan agreement worth about US$100 million was signed between Afghanistan and Italy for the construction a 155 km road between Herat and Chist-e Sharif. Italy also agreed to assess the possibility of a third soft loan worth about US$70 million for completing the railroad connection between Herat and Mashad in Iran. The Asian Development Bank is also implementing a feasibility study for the construction of a railway connection between Herat and Turkmenistan. In 2023, Herat was heavily impacted by two major earthquakes, one of which was 6.3-magnitude earthquake, and the other an aftershock. Combined, the earthquakes killed over 2,800 and injured thousands more in the province. It has been called Afghanistan's worst earthquake since 1998. Herat was hit by a third earthquake of 6.3 magnitude in just over a week. It killed 2 people and injured almost 150. File:View of Herat in 2009.jpg|City of Herat, which is the capital of the province. File:Afghan Mi-17 on the ramp in Shindand-2011.jpg|An Afghan Air Force Mi-17 helicopter sits on the ramp at Shindand Air Base in 2011. ==Administrative divisions==

The province is divided into 16 districts and contains over 1,000 villages. ==Economy==

The province is home to 90% of Afghanistan's Saffron production (a $12 million industry in 2014). In 2015 the World Bank noted that saffron cultivation had provided Herat Province's farmers a steady source of income, jobs for both men and women, and a decreased dependency on poppy cultivation. Due to the lack of urbanization in Herat Province, around 75% of the population lives in rural areas and economic activity is correspondingly heavily reliant on agriculture and horticulture production (saffron, rugs, cumin, marble, animal skins and wool Marble manufacturing and light industry comprised the remaining areas of economic activity. ==Demographics==

Population As of 2020, the total population of the province is about 2,187,169, the majority of which live in rural parts. This identity is rooted primarily in the local Herati Persian dialect, but also in a shared urban culture, collective historical experience, and commonly accepted social norms. It is reinforced through customs, cuisine, music, and communal participation, and frequently transcends rigid ethnic, linguistic, or religious boundaries. As a result, many residents primarily identify as "Herati", fostering a strong sense of regional belonging even within ethnically diverse communities. Within this broader framework, a substantial portion of the population belongs to Tajiks 90%. Historically, the city of Herat has often been a Tajik-dominated urban enclave within a minority Pashtun , alongside Hazara . Since 2001, large-scale migration—particularly of Hazaras—has further diversified the urban population, at times giving rise to social tensions between long-established residents and newer arrivals. Persian-speaking communities in Herat include both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunni Tajik are prominent in both urban and rural settings, while Shia Tajik communities—distinct from Hazara groups—have long been concentrated in the provincial capital. Smaller communities include Uzbeks and Turkmen, who are predominantly Sunni Muslim and speak Turkic languages, mainly residing in the northern districts of the province, alongside other minor groups. Historically, Herat was also home to Hindu, Armenian, and Jewish communities, particularly during the 19th century. Education The overall literacy rate (6+ years of age) fell from 36% in 2005 to 25% in 2011. The percentage of births attended to by a skilled birth attendant increased from 24% in 2005 to 25% in 2011. ==Sport==

Football is the popular sport in Herat Province, and in recent years cricket is also growing in popularity. The Province is represented in domestic competitions by the Herat Province cricket team. Afghanistan's national sport Buzkashi and a number of other sports are also played in the region. ==Notable people==

• Abbas the Great – Safavid ruler • Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqara – Timurid ruler of Herat • Mirwais Hotak – founder of the Hotak dynasty • Ismail Khan – Tajik Commander of Jamiat Islami • Ahmad Shah Durrani – founder of the Durrani dynasty • Ali-Shir Nava'i – poet, writer, politician, linguist, mystic, and painter • Faramarz Tamanna • Zablon Simintov == See also ==