CHARIKAR

capital of Parvan velayat (province), east central Afghanistan, at an altitude of 5,250 ft (1,600 m). The city lies on the road from Kabul (the national capital, 40 mi south) to the northern provinces. A British garrison was massacred at Charikar in 1841 during the First Anglo-Afghan War. Following the Soviet military intervention in 1979, Charikar was the scene of heavy fighting between Afghan guerrillas (from their strongholds in nearby Panjsher Valley) and Soviet and Afghan army units. The town's proximity to Afghanistan's modern textile factory, at Golbahar, led to a considerable population increase after 1962. Charikar is known for pottery and fine grapes as well as cutlery and silverwork. It also has an iron foundry. Pop. (1982 est.) 25,117.