Aybak
سمنگان | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Overview of Aybak valley | |
 Location of Aybak. Click to see. | |
  Aybak Location in Afghanistan | |
| Coordinates: 36°15′55″N 68°1′0″E / 36.26528°N 68.01667°E | |
| Country |  Afghanistan |
| Province | Samangan |
| District | Aybak |
| Elevation | 959 m (3,146 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 9,958 |
| Time zone | + 4.30 |
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Aybak (Aibak or Haibak; previously Eukratidia (Ancient Greek: Εὐκρατιδία);[1] historically known as Samangan)[2] is a provincial town, medieval caravan stop, and the headquarters of the Samangan Province in the district of the same name in the northern part of Afghanistan. As an ancient town and major Buddhist centre during the 4th and 5th centuries under the then Kushan rulers, it has the ruins of that period at a place known now as Takht-i-rustam, which is located on a hill above the town.[3]
Due to its location, Haibak has been influenced by Buddhist, Islamic and Turkic and Persian peoples. In the past, it was significant because of its position on the main line of communication between Kabul and Afghan Turkestan.
In 2021, the Taliban gained control of the city during the 2021 Taliban offensive.
- ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, E285.16
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
aibakwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Clammer, Paul (2007). Afghanistan. Lonely Planet. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-74059-642-8. Retrieved 15 October 2010.