History of Afghanistan

r.barendse@worldonline.nl

Dear Dr. Barendse:
In a recent posting you called our attention on some truly surprising
facts from the history of Afghanistan.
It is hard to imagine, that this remote country once was the most
prosperous part of the Persian empire and that Herath was the biggest
(or one of the biggest) city in the world.
Could you tell us on what resources – human or material – this
prosperity was based, since silk trade alone does not seem to
sufficient. Furthermore it would be interesting to find out, how a city
of one million inhabitants, lying in a dry, cold and not very fertile
region was able to feed its population, without counting on modern means
of transportation.
Cordial greetings           Paul Riesz