Darvaz (region)

Darvaz-Darwaz
Persian: درواز‎‎/ Tajik: Дарвоз
1526–1878
On this map Darvaz (not labeled) is located within the Emirate of Bukhara (pink) by the border with Badakhshan (green).
Capital		Qal'ai Khumb
Government		Emirate
History
•	Collapse of Timurid dynasty	1526
•	Conquered by the Emirate of Bukhara	1878
Currency		Tajikistan  Afghanistan
Preceded by Succeeded by Timurid dynasty Emirate of Bukhara
Today part of		From Darvoz, Tavildara, Vanj, From Khwahan, Kuf Ab, Maimay, Nusay, Shekay.

Darvaz (Tajik: Дарвоз/Persian: درواز‎‎ /dærvɒːz/), alternatively spelt Darwaz, Darvoz, or Darwoz, was an independent principality until the 19th century, ruled by a mir and its capital was at Kalai-Khumb.^[1] The kingdom controlled territory on the left and right banks of the Oxus River. In 1878 Darvaz was invaded by neighboring Bukhara and absorbed into the Bukharan Emirate. In 1895 the left bank of Darvaz was transferred to Afghanistan as part of a border agreement. In the 1920s the portion of Darvaz located in the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union was assigned to the Gharm Oblast. When the Gharm Oblast was dissolved in 1955, Darvaz became part of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast.

Today, the northern half of Darvaz is the Darvoz district, Tavildara District, Vanj District, in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province in Tajikistan (Kalai-Khumb is now the district capital). The southern half of Darvaz is the Darwaz District, Khwahan District, Kuf Ab District, in Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan. They are connected by the Tajik-Afghan Friendship Bridge, a permanent overland link that carries commercial and passenger traffic. The bridge was opened in July, 2004.^[2] Darwaz District in Afghanistan has a population of approximately 21,000 after sub-division in 2005 which led to the formation of Districts Nusay District, Maimay District, and Shekay District, was.

References

1. Seymour Becker. Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865-1924. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 1968.
2. "Press Release: Darwaz Bridge to strengthen commercial ties and Tajik-Afghan relations". Retrieved 2006-12-09.