Afghanistan, Graveyard of Empires

摘要: Michni Point, Pakistans last outpost at the western end of barren, winding Khyber Pass, stands sentinel over Torkham Gate, deceptively orderly border crossing into Afghanistan. Frontier Scouts in gray shalwar kameezes (traditional tunics and loose pants) black berets patrol lonely station commanded by a major legendary Rifles, militia force that has been guarding with Afghanistan since nineteenth century, first for British India then Pakistan. This spot, perhaps more than any other, witnessed traverse world s great armies on campaigns conquest to from South Central Asia. All eventually ran trouble their encounters unruly Afghan tribals. Alexander Great sent his supply trains through Khyber, skirted northward army Konar Valley campaign 327 bc. There he fierce resistance and, struck an archer arrow, barely made it Indus River life. Genghis Khan Mughal emperors began passing millennium later ultimately established greatest empires?but only after reaching painful accommodations Afghans. From trained eye can still see ruins signal towers used relay complex torch-light messages 1,500 miles Calcutta Bukhara less hour.