Badghis (Dari:ولایت بادغیس,romanized: Wilāyat-e Bādghīs andPashto:د بادغیس ولایت,romanized: Da Bādghīs Wilāyat) is one of the northwesternprovinces of Afghanistan. It bordersTurkmenistan to the north,Herat to the west and southwest,Ghor to the south and southeast, andFaryab to the east. The provincial capital isQala e Naw, serving as the main administrative, economic, and cultural hub of the province.
Covering an area of approximately 20,000 square kilometers and having an estimated population of about 550,000 people (as of 2025), Badghis is characterized by rolling hills, semi-arid plains, and the western extensions of theHindu Kush mountains. The province is drained primarily by theMurghab River and its tributaries, which provide essential water for agriculture in an otherwise dry landscape. Badghis is sparsely populated compared to more fertile provinces and faces challenges such as soil erosion, desertification, and limited infrastructure.
Historically, Badghis was part of the larger region of northwestern Afghanistan known for its strategic position connectingCentral Asia andGreater Khorasan. The area has been inhabited for millennia, witnessing the passage ofPersian,Hellenistic,Sassanid,Ghaznavid, andTimurid powers. It was also a frontier zone prone to tribal conflicts and shifting allegiances, which shaped the province's decentralized governance patterns.
Today, Badghis remains a region of strategic importance but is marked by underdevelopment, limited economic opportunities, and recurring environmental challenges. Agriculture and livestock herding dominate livelihoods, while migration for work to other provinces or neighboring countries is common. The province retains a strong cultural identity shaped by its history, tribal structures, and natural environment.
The nameBadghis comes fromMiddle Persianwādgēs meaning "mount", tracing further back to the termwaiti-gaisa (Avestan:𐬬𐬁𐬌𐬙𐬌-𐬔𐬀𐬉𐬯𐬀,romanized: vāiti-gaēsacode: ave promoted to code: ae). This etymology suggests that the province's name originally referred to its hilly or elevated terrain, rather than climatic conditions.
Badghis has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence indicating early settlements along theMurghab River and its tributaries. The region's semi-arid plains and river valleys supported small agricultural communities and pastoral nomads. During antiquity, Badghis was part of the larger cultural and political sphere ofGreater Khorasan, a crossroads of civilizations linkingCentral Asia and theIranian plateau. The region came under the control of theAchaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE), serving as a frontier zone connectingPersia to the steppes of Central Asia.
Following the conquest ofAlexander the Great in the 4th century BCE, the area became influenced by Hellenistic culture and was incorporated into theGreco-Bactrian Kingdom, which brought Greek-style urbanization, trade networks, and coinage. Later, the region fell under theSassanid Empire (224–651 CE), which reinforced its role as a strategic borderland and integrated it into long-distance trade routes, including the earlySilk Road corridors. Its terrain and sparse population made centralized control difficult, leaving local tribal structures influential in governance.[4]
In the medieval period, Badghis continued to occupy a strategic position between Persia, Central Asia, and the emerging Afghan polities. The poetHanzala Badghisi flourished there in the mid-9th century. Badghis came under theGhaznavid Empire (977–1186), which promoted agriculture and urban settlement in the region while using it as a frontier buffer against nomadic incursions. Around the 12th century, it was influenced by theSeljuk Empire and theGhurid dynasty, periods marked by the spread of Islamic culture, architecture, and administrative systems.
Badghis was historically associated with the region ofGharjistan, with the city ofMarw al-Rudh functioning as an administrative and commercial center. The area frequently witnessed tribal conflicts and shifting allegiances, reflecting its decentralized governance. During theTimurid Empire in the 14th and 15th century, the region maintained its strategic importance, though much of its population remained rural and pastoral. Its challenging terrain and semi-arid climate continued to limit large-scale urban development.[5][4]
From the 16th to 19th centuries, Badghis was influenced by successive powers including theSafavid Empire and later theDurrani Empire, which laid the foundations of modern Afghanistan. The region's geographical position along trade routes connectingHerat and theTurkestan region reinforced its role as a frontier region. Local tribal leaders maintained significant autonomy, with frequent skirmishes and alliances shaping the political landscape.
Agriculture remained limited to irrigated valleys along the Murghab River, while livestock herding dominated in the upland areas. The semi-arid climate, combined with periodic droughts, constrained population growth and economic development. European explorers and geographers of the 19th century noted the rugged terrain, sparse settlements, and strategic importance as a buffer zone between Persian, Afghan, and Central Asian powers. In 1964, the province was carved out of portions of theHerat andMeymaneh provinces.[4]
TheSoviet–Afghan War profoundly affected Badghis. Its remote villages were heavily impacted by military operations, landmines, and forced displacement. After theSoviet withdrawal, the province became a contested area during theAfghan civil war, with variousmujahideen factions and local warlords vying for control. During thefirst Taliban regime, Badghis was governed with limited state presence, and traditional tribal structures continued to influence social and political life.
After the2001 American-led invasion of Afghanistan, the province remained strategically important due to its border withTurkmenistan and its mountainous, difficult-to-access terrain. During the time of theIslamic Republic, the province experienced ongoing insurgency, infrastructure challenges, and humanitarian crises, including food insecurity, limited access to education, and displacement of rural populations.[6]
Since theTaliban's return to power in 2021, the province has remained under their administration. As all provinces, Badghis continues to face significant development challenges. Infrastructure, healthcare, and education services are limited, while poverty and unemployment remain high. Agriculture and livestock herding are the main sources of livelihood, but recurrent droughts, soil erosion, and desertification continue to threaten food security.[7][8]
Badghis is located in northwestern Afghanistan and forms part of the transitional zone between the central Afghan highlands and the plains of southernTurkmenistan. The province has a total area of 20,591 km2.[9] It is characterized by inlanddrainage basins,steppe landscapes,river valleys,hills, andmountain foothills. It shares an international border with Turkmenistan to the north and bordersHerat Province to the west and southwest,Ghor Province to the south and southeast, andFaryab Province to the east. The geographic position of the province places it at the intersection of Iranian, Central Asian, and Afghan natural regions.
Badghis consists mainly ofrolling hills,plateaus, wideplains, and the westernfoothills of theHindu Kush.[5] Elevations generally range from about 500 to over 2,000 meters above sea level. The relief of Badghis is shaped bytectonic uplift, long-termerosion, and seasonal hydrological processes, creating soft ridgelines, dry valleys, and extensive grazing plains. The most important river system is theMurghab River, which originates in the central highlands of Afghanistan and flows northward across Badghis into Turkmenistan. Its tributaries, including numerous seasonal streams andwadis, form the primary surface water network of the province.[10] These rivers support most permanent settlements and irrigated agriculture. Outside the main river valleys, surface water is scarce, and groundwater extracted from wells is often the only reliable source of water.
Large areas of Badghis consist ofsteppe andsemi-desert landscapes characterized by thin soils, sparse vegetation, and high susceptibility to erosion. Its northern border extends to the edge of the part of theKarakum desert. The northern districts include theloess and otheraeolian formations, known locally as thechul.[11][12] In the southern and southeastern districts, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged as it rises into the outer ranges of the Hindu Kush. According to theWorld Wide Fund for Nature, the province lies primarily within thedeserts and xeric shrublands andmontane grasslands and shrublands biomes, which strongly influence ecological conditions and land use patterns.
The vegetation of Badghis reflects its arid and semi-arid climate, with strong seasonal variation. Natural plant cover consists primarily of drought-tolerantgrasses,shrubs, and annualherbs that provide pasture for livestock.[13] In lowland and hillside areas, species such aswormwood,tamarisk, and various salt-resistant plants are common. In the irrigated river valleys, cultivated trees and crops dominate the landscape. Fruit-bearing trees such asapricots,mulberries,pomegranates,almonds, andwalnuts are widely grown, along withwheat andbarley. Wildpistachio and scatteredjuniper occur in some upland areas, though forest cover remains very limited due to deforestation, overgrazing, and fuelwood collection.[14][15]
Badghis supports a range of wildlife species adapted to steppe,riverine, and semi-mountain environments. Mammals includewolves,jackals,foxes,gazelles,hares, and small populations ofibex and other wild goats in higher terrain.[16]Reptiles are widespread in warmer lowland areas.Birdlife is diverse, with resident and migratory species using the river corridors as seasonal habitat.Raptors such aseagles,buzzards, andfalcons are common, along withcranes,storks, and variouswaterfowl. Habitat degradation, drought, and unregulated hunting have increased pressure on several species.[17]
Badghis has a predominantlysemi-arid climate with strong continental characteristics and pronounced seasonal contrasts.[16] Summers are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures in the lowlands frequently exceeding 35 °C. Heat waves and prolonged dry periods are common. Winters are cold, particularly in higher elevations, where temperatures often fall below freezing and snowfall occurs regularly in hill districts and mountain foothills.[18]
Most annualprecipitation falls between late winter and early spring, primarily in the form of rain at lower elevations and snow in higher terrain. Precipitation is highly variable from year to year, and prolonged droughts are a recurring feature of the regional climate. These droughts have a direct impact on agriculture, pasture productivity, surface water availability, and food security. Strong seasonal winds are frequent, especially in open plains and exposed ridges, contributing to dust storms, soil erosion, and the gradual expansion of desert-like conditions in vulnerable areas.[16]
Local governance in Badghis has undergone significant changes since the 19th century. During this period, the province was largely governed by local tribal leaders,khans, and landholding elites who exercised substantial autonomy over taxation, security, and dispute resolution, while maintaining nominal allegiance to theAfghan central state. Due to the remote location of the province, direct control from Kabul remained limited for much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 20th century, successive Afghan governments sought to strengthen administrative control by formally integrating Badghis into the provincial system, appointing governors, and establishing district offices. Despite these efforts, local tribal networks, religious authorities, and influential families continued to play a dominant role in everyday governance, particularly in rural districts and grazing regions.[4]
Since 1979, Badghis has experienced repeated political and administrative disruptions as a result of theSoviet–Afghan War, the subsequentAfghan civil wars, and laterinternational intervention. During the 1980s, local mujahideen commanders controlled large parts of the province, coordinating resistance activities and administering territory through informal power structures. Following the collapse of thecommunist government, the province became an arena of competition between different armed factions, with shifting alliances and localized conflict, particularly theJamiat-e Islami, theHezb-e Islami Gulbuddin, and theIslamic Council of Herat.[19] After 2001, the Afghan government re-established formal provincial administration through appointed governors and district officials. International development programs supported local governance institutions, while traditional mechanisms such as tribal councils and community elders continued to mediate disputes and regulate social affairs. However, insecurity, limited state capacity, and insurgent activity restricted the effectiveness of government authority, particularly in remote districts.[6][20]
Following theTaliban's return to power in 2021, provincial administration in Badghis was reorganized underTaliban-appointed officials. The local governance system now follows the administrative structure of theIslamic Emirate, with a provincial governor and district leaders responsible for enforcing central directives. Political parties recognized under the former2004 Afghan constitution are no longer active, while tribal elders, religious leaders, and local power brokers continue to exercise informal influence, especially in rural and mountainous areas.
Badghis is administratively divided into several districts.[21] The provincial capital,Qala e Naw, serves as the main administrative, economic, and logistical center of the province. Other major towns includeBala Murghab andJawand. District boundaries and administrative structures have been periodically revised in line with national governance reforms.
Badghis is considered to be one of the most underdeveloped of the country's thirty-four provinces.[31] The province has a predominantlyagrarian andpastoral economy, shaped by its semi-arid climate, scarce water resources, and geographical isolation. The majority of the population depends directly on agriculture and livestock herding for subsistence. Industrial activity is minimal, and formal employment opportunities remain scarce. Recurrentdroughts,soil erosion, anddesertification, combined with decades of conflict and underinvestment, continue to limit economic diversification and long-term development.[32]
Livestock herding is another central pillar of the rural economy.Sheep,goats, andcattle are widely raised formeat,milk,wool, andhides.Nomadic andsemi-nomadic pastoralism continues in upland areas, where seasonal migration supports grazing cycles. Agricultural production remains highly vulnerable to drought, rangeland degradation, limited veterinary services, and poor access to markets, which frequently leads to food insecurity. This development has been exacerbated by the excessivedeforestation since 2001.[33]
Badghis possesses largely underdeveloped mineral resources, including deposits ofgypsum,marble,limestone, and construction stone, as well as indications of other industrial minerals. Mining activity remains small-scale and mostly informal, providing materials primarily for local construction. The absence of large-scale exploration, limited infrastructure, and long-term insecurity have prevented the development of a structured mining sector.
Trade is mainly local and regional, centered on district markets and the provincial capital,Qala e Naw. Agricultural products, livestock, dairy goods, and basic handicrafts dominate local commerce, while manufactured goods and fuel are imported from other Afghan provinces. It is also one of the carpet-making areas of the country. The province producedKarakul sheep until the late 1970s.[5] Despite its border withTurkmenistan, cross-border trade remains limited due to weak transport links, low export capacity, and regulatory constraints. Most commercial activity operates at a small-scale, subsistence-oriented level.
The energy infrastructure in Badghis is poorly developed. Most households rely onfirewood and smalldiesel generators for electricity.Grid power is limited mainly toQala e Naw and a few district centers. Irrigation remains essential for agriculture but is largely based ontraditional canal systems, seasonal river diversions, and small water reservoirs. Several international aid projects have supported irrigation rehabilitation, rangeland management, and drought resilience, but large parts of the province still lack reliable water infrastructure, leading to the province having a chronic shortage of water.[31][33]
Telecommunications services are unevenly distributed.Mobile phone coverage exists mainly in urban and semi-urban areas, while many rural districts experience weak or intermittent signals.Internet access is limited and generally slow. Traditional communication through tribal elders, mosques, and community councils continues to play a significant role in rural information exchange.
Transport infrastructure is limited and underdeveloped, reflecting the province's remote location, rugged terrain, and sparse population. Most districts are connected byunpaved roads, which often become impassable during winter, seasonal flooding, or heavy rainfall. Even though there have been tries to connect the province to theAfghanistan Ring Road, connectingBala Murghab withHerat Province in the southwest andMaymana andMazar-i Sharif in the northeast, works never completed.[34]
The provincial capital,Qala e Naw, serves as the main hub for administrative, commercial, and humanitarian transport, with automobile traffic being the dominant mode of movement for people and goods. There is no railway network in the province, restricting large-scale freight transport and regional integration.Qala i Naw Airport, a small domestic airport, provides occasional flights mainly for governmental, humanitarian, and limited commercial purposes.[35]
Badghis has an estimated population of approximately 550,000 people as of 2023, distributed across a small number of urban centers, district towns, and a large number of rural villages.[2] Only a minority of the population lives in urban areas, primarily in the provincial capital ofQala e Naw, while the vast majority resides in rural settlements and pastoral areas. Settlement patterns are strongly shaped by access to water sources, arable land, and grazing zones.
Poverty is widespread throughout the province, particularly in drought-prone districts, with amultidimensional poverty index of 0.426, and 47.7% of the population living insevere poverty as of 2023.[36] A large share of households depends on subsistence agriculture and livestock, and many families experience seasonal food insecurity. Limited access to roads, electricity, healthcare, and education, combined with frequent droughts and displacement, contributes to high socio-economic vulnerability.[36] Environmental shocks, especially prolonged dry periods, regularly force temporary migration to other Afghan provinces or neighboring countries in search of work and pasture.
The population of Badghis is ethnically mixed, reflecting historic migration, tribal settlement, and its location between northern and western Afghanistan. The largest ethnic category areTajiks, followed by a significant community ofPashtuns. There are also smaller groups ofUzbeks,Turkmens,Hazaras andBaloch.[3] Ethnic identities often overlap with tribal affiliations, and intermarriage is common in many districts.Dari serves as the main lingua franca and is widely spoken across all ethnic groups.Pashto,Uzbek, andTurkmen are also spoken in areas where their respective communities predominate. Multilingualism is widespread, particularly in market towns and mixed villages. The religious landscape of Badghis is overwhelminglySunni Muslim.Shia communities are very small and scattered. Local religious leaders and mosques play an important role in social life, dispute mediation, and community organization, particularly in rural areas.
Estimated ethnolinguistic and -religious composition
The educational infrastructure remains limited and unevenly distributed. Primary and secondary schools exist in most district centers and larger villages, but access in remote rural areas is often constrained by distance, poverty, and insecurity. School attendance is frequently affected by child labor, migration, and drought-related economic pressures. The province's main higher education institution,Badghis University, is located inQala e Naw, along with teacher training and vocational programs serving students from across the province.
Since 2021, religious education throughmadrasas has expanded, especially in rural districts, providingQuranic instruction and basic literacy. Overall literacy rates remain low, especially among women, with the most recent available estimates from 2007 indicating an overall literacy rate of only 9.5%.[44] While enrollment improved during the period of theIslamic Republic, educational participation has declined due to restrictions on female education since 2021.
Healthcare services in Badghis are scarce and concentrated in urban centers. The main referral facility is theQala-i-Naw District Hospital, which provides basic inpatient and outpatient services but has limited specialized capacity. District hospitals and health clinics offer primary care, maternal and child health services, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses. Many rural villages remain without permanent medical facilities and depend on mobile health teams, small health posts, or long-distance travel to district centers.Malnutrition,maternal andinfant mortality,respiratory illnesses, andwaterborne diseases remain among the most persistent health challenges, with the most recent available estimates from 2011 indicating that just 1% of births were attended by a skilled birth attendant.[44]
Access to clean drinking water and sanitation is extremely limited in many districts, as the percentage of households with clean drinking water pending between 11.6% in 2005, 17% in 2007, and only 1% in 2011.[45][44] Humanitarian organizations and internationalNGOs continue to provide essential medical support, nutrition programs, and emergency response, but the weak infrastructure and funding shortages frequently disrupt consistent service delivery.
Music in Badghis reflects the province's cultural heritage, with strong influences from both northern and western Afghanistan and itsTajik,Pashtun,Uzbek, andTurkmen populations. Traditional folk music is widely performed at weddings, seasonal celebrations, and tribal gatherings. Like in the entire country, common instruments include thedambura,rubab, and various regionalflutes, often accompanied by rhythmichand clapping orframe drums.
Local vocal traditions consist offolk ballads,epic recitations, and improvised poetry, frequently addressing themes of migration, love, drought, and tribal life. Dance traditions include groupcircle dances and solo performances, usually performed during weddings andNowruz celebrations.
Traditional clothing in Badghis reflects the steppe, rural, and pastoral lifestyle of its population. Men commonly wearperahan o tunban, often layered withwoolenvests orchapans, particularly in winter. Headwear such asturbans,pakols, and embroideredcaps is widespread. Women traditionally wear long, loose dresses withheadscarves, often decorated with regional embroidery patterns, especially in Uzbek and Turkmen communities. In rural areas, traditional attire remains common in everyday life, while in towns it is more often worn during religious festivals, weddings, and family celebrations. Clothing styles also reflect practical adaptation to cold winters, strong winds, and dusty plains.
The cuisine of Badghis reflects the greaterAfghan cuisine. Staple foods includenaan, wheat-based dishes,rice, andpulses, accompanied by dairy products such asyogurt,qurut, andfresh milk. Meat, particularlylamb andgoat, plays an important role in festive meals. Common dishes includepalaw,qorma,kebab, and various stews prepared with onions, tomatoes, and dried herbs. Fruits such asapricots,mulberries,pomegranates, andgrapes are consumed fresh or dried, while nuts such asalmonds andwalnuts are used as snacks and cooking ingredients.Tea, bothgreen andblack, is the primary everyday beverage and plays a central role in social hospitality.
The traditional architecture in Badghis is closely adapted to the dry climate and open plains. Most rural houses are built frommudbrick, often with flat roofs and enclosed courtyards for protection from wind and heat. In colder upland districts, thicker walls provide insulation against winter temperatures. Mosques, shrines, and historic fortifications, especially nearBala Murghab, reflect the province's long history as a frontier region.Watchtowers and ruinedforts remain visible reminders of earlier periods of insecurity and tribal defense. Local art traditions includeembroidery,carpet weaving,felt work, and simplewood carving, often produced for household use rather than commercial markets. Literary traditions are predominantly oral, with storytelling, folk poetry, and religious recitations passed between generations.Dari andPashto oral poetry both play important roles in transmitting moral values, tribal history, and social norms.
Media access remains limited, especially outside the capital. Local radio stations serve as the primary source of news, religious programming, and public information, while television and internet services are mainly available in urban areas. Mobile phone usage is widespread, but internet speeds and connectivity remain weak in many districts. Traditional forms of entertainment dominate social life.Storytelling, music performances,poetry recitations, and communal gatherings remain central to leisure activities. Formal entertainment venues such as cinemas or theaters are largely absent.Nowruz is widely celebrated, along with Islamic holidays such asEid al-Fitr andEid al-Adha. Weddings, harvest celebrations, and tribal gatherings serve as major cultural events that bring together extended families and neighboring communities.
Badghis contains a number of natural and historical sites, though most remain largely undeveloped for tourism. TheMurghab River valley forms one of the most scenic landscapes in the province and supports many of its rural settlements.The ruins of the medieval city ofMarw al-Rudh, nearBala Murghab, represent one of the most important archaeological sites in the province, reflecting its historical role in medievalGharjistan andGreater Khorasan. Shrines, ancient fortifications, and traditional villages scattered across the province hold local religious and cultural significance.
Traditional physical activities in Badghis includehorseback riding, which remains associated with both transport and recreation, as well as localwrestling and informal athletic competitions during festivals. Among modern sports,football andcricket are the most widely played and followed disciplines, particularly in urban areas. In theShpageeza Cricket League, Badghis and other northwestern provinces are represented through theHindukush Stars. During the period of theIslamic Republic,Toofan Harirod FC served as the regional football team representing Badghis together withHerat,Farah, andGhor in theAfghan Premier League.
^Shroder, John F. (2016). "Hari Rud – Murghab River Basin".Transboundary Water Resources in Afghanistan: Climate Change and Land-Use Implications. Saint Louis: Elsevier. pp. 410–412.ISBN978-0-12-801861-3.
^abc"Badghis Province In A Glance"(PDF).Afghanistan Provincial Health Profile: Situational Analysis of Provincial Health Services. MoPH HMIS Department. p. 3.Archived(PDF) from the original on 12 July 2018.
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