Kayan, Baghlan
Kayan is a village in Baghlan Province in north eastern Afghanistan It is located in the valley of Kayan, some 30 kilometres west of Dushi. The residents of Kayan valley are mostly members of Sadat and Hazara tribes loyal to Sayed Kayan who was the official representative of Aga Khan in Afghanistan. The Sayyids follow Isma'ili Islam.
Kayan | |
|---|---|
From the top, Kayan Downtown, Hindukush View, Eagle Fountain, Kayan view) | |
| Motto: The Cradle of Afghanistan Ismailis | |
Kayan Location in Afghanistan | |
| Coordinates: 35°38′4″N 68°25′42″E | |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Province | Baghlan Province |
| Government | |
| • Afghanistan Ismaili Leader | Sayed Mansur Naderi |
| • Governor | Sayed Jafar Naderi |
| Population | |
| • Ethnicities | Sayyids Hazara |
| • Religions | Twelver and Ismaili Shia Islam |
| Time zone | + 4.30 |
| Website | https://www.sayedkayan.com |
Throughout its history, Kayan has been a significant locale for the Ismaili community within Afghanistan, particularly during periods of conflict such as the Soviet era, the Mujahideen, and the Afghan civil war. It emerged as a stronghold for Afghanistan's Ismaili forces, under the leadership of Sayed Jafar Naderi. Sayed Jafar, the elder son of Sayed Mansur Naderi, who is the head of the Ismailis in Afghanistan, commanded a force of over 13,000-18,000 armed individuals. Their primary objective was to safeguard the interests of the Ismaili community amidst challenges posed by the government, Mujahideen, and other factions during these turbulent times.
The strategic and communal significance of Kayan, along with its role in the defense of the Ismaili population, was highlighted in the documentary Warlord of Kayan directed by Jeff B. Harmon and produced by Journeyman Pictures in 1989. This film documents the valley's historical context and its importance as a center of Ismaili leadership and military organization. The documentary movie is available on different platforms including Youtube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku and many more.
In addition to its historical and military relevance, Kayan is rooted in spiritual and cultural traditions. The valley is home to descendants of Shah Abdal Wali, a spiritual leader of Hussaini Sadat origin who migrated from the regions of Iraq-Iran to Afghanistan. His lineage has been revered across various communities for their virtues of honesty, sincerity, and compassion. Leadership within the Kayan valley has historically been marked by a series of prominent figures who have played pivotal roles in guiding the community towards truth and righteousness, emphasizing the spiritual heritage that characterizes this unique region of Afghanistan.