Balkh

After a brief visit to his family in Pakistan, he is now serving as the shadow governor of the key northern province of Balkh.

From Balkh to Bombay men know that rough-ridged print with the old scar running diagonally across it.

The headquarters of the horde were at Bamian and at Balkh, and from these points they raided south-east and south-west.

We know, however, that for previous centuries Balkh had been the capital city, the great trade emporium of all that region.

Just as we cannot tell exactly when Babylon first became a city, so are we confounded by the age of Balkh.

It surmounts a high divide (about 11,000 feet), and crosses the Balkh Ab valley to reach Bamian.