Istalif

Its name might derive from Greek staphile ("bunch of grapes") or Parachi estuf ("cow-parsnip").

Babur and his men straighten the course of the winding stream at Istalif.

Istalif was always renowned as one of the most beautiful places in Afghanistan – the Emperor Babur fell in love with it in the 16th century and used to hold parties in his rose garden and summer house there. Alexander Burnes, a British political agent to Dost Mohammed in the 19th century, had come here to relax amid the plane and walnut trees. He described that the mountains streams are full of fishes and the orchards and vineyards are richest.

During the final phase of the First Anglo-Afghan War, as General Pollock's Army of Retribution marched into Kabul, many families fled to Istalif. Troops were dispatched, which surrounded the town, attacked, and then systemically pillaged it. The British and Indian soldiers set fire to the cotton cloth of their victims and burnt them alive. They raped and massacred women and children as well.[2]

Until 1998 it was a breadbasket for the region and was surrounded by lush orchards growing grapes, roses and wheat. That year the Taliban came to the village, cutting down trees, burning homes and killing livestock. After destruction, the village has been rebuilding itself after 2002.[3]

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  Postcard of Istalif, circa 1950s
• 
  Inside Istalif after the Taliban war

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Istalif.

• Rehabilitation program
• Photo of a highrise in Istalif