How long has there been a settlement near Kabul?

Settlements have existed at or near the site of Kabul for approximately 3,500 years.1

Historical records of the area date back to the Rigveda, the oldest Hindu scripture, which dates from about 1500 BCE. Additionally, the city was noted by the Alexandrian astronomer and geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE. Throughout its long history, the city's strategic location at the intersection of major trade routes—connecting the Hindu Kush mountains, Ghaznī, and the Khyber Pass—has made it a significant regional hub.21