Mihtarlam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mihtarlam
مهترلام
Mehtar Lam
|
|
|---|---|
|
Clockwise from top: An alley in Mihtarlam; a highway checkpoint; Mihtarlam RTC
|
|
 Mihtarlam
Location in Afghanistan
|
|
| Country |  Afghanistan |
| Province | Laghman Province |
| District | Mihtarlam District |
| Named for | Lamech |
| Elevation | 779 m (2,556 ft) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 144,162 |
| Time zone | UTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Standard Time) |
.jpg)
Mihtarlam (Persian: مهترلام, Pashto: مهترلام), also known as Mehtar Lam, is a large city in Afghanistan. It is the capital city of Laghman Province and the main town in the Mihtarlam District. Mihtarlam is the only big city in its province.
The city is located in a valley where the Alishang and Alingar rivers meet. It is about 47 kilometers (29 miles) northwest of Jalalabad. A paved road connects the two cities, and it takes about an hour to drive between them. In August 2021, Mihtarlam became one of the provincial capitals that came under the control of the Taliban.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Local stories say that Laghman Province, where Mihtarlam is located, was named after Lamech. Lamech was the father of Noah, a famous figure from ancient history and religious texts.
In the Persian language, the word mihtar means "headman," "lord," or "chief." The "Lam" part of Mihtarlam is a shorter way of saying Lamech. So, the name Mihtarlam basically means "Chief of Lamech" or "Lord of Lamech."
A Look at Mihtarlam's Past
Mihtarlam has a history that includes important buildings and events.
Buildings and Restoration
Around 1912–1913, a ruler named Amir Habibullah Khan built a place called Qala-e-Seraj in Mihtarlam. This was an important building for the area. In 2020, local officials spent about 22 million Afs (the currency of Afghanistan) to rebuild and fix up Qala-e-Seraj. This shows how much the building means to the community.
Recent Events
In May 2021, there were reports of fighting in Mihtarlam involving government forces. Later that year, in August 2021, the city became one of the provincial capitals that came under the control of the Taliban.
Mihtarlam's Climate
Mihtarlam has a type of weather known as a cold semi-arid climate. This means it's generally dry, but it can get quite cold, especially in winter. It's often described using the Köppen climate classification as BSk.
Places to See
Mihtarlam has several interesting places that visitors might want to see:
- Qala-e-Seraj: This is the historic fort or palace that was rebuilt in 2020.
- Hajji Dunya Gul Niazi Jamia Masjid: A significant mosque in the city.
- Laghman University: A place of higher education for students in the province.
- The Tomb of Lamech: This is believed to be the burial place of Lamech, the father of Noah. The Ghaznavid Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni built a shrine here, surrounded by gardens. It's located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Mihtarlam.
Sports in Mihtarlam
In 2021, a new sports stadium was opened in Mihtarlam. This was the first stadium in the entire Laghman Province, giving people a dedicated place for sports and activities.
See also
In Spanish: Mehtar Lam para niños
