Eshkashem is a village in Badakhshan Province in north-eastern Afghanistan.[2] It had earlier been the name of a small Tajik tributary state of the Emir of Badakhshan on the Upper Oxus River. The lands of the state stretched some 16 miles north of the similarly named village, on both sides of the river, to the border of Gharan. Together with Zebak, Eshkashem was under the direct rule of the naib of Zebak, thus also placing them indirectly under the governor of Badakhshan. [1] The village of Eskashem lies in a fertile valley. There are roughly 20 settlements in the valley, but, considering the cultivation in the valley is continuous, it could also be considered one single, larger settlement. The total population of the valley circa 1900 was roughly 1200. [1] The valley had only one harvest per year. Wheat and barley were cultivated. Poplar and chinar trees grew as well, but there was little firewood. The climate is generally cold, but much warmer than that of neighboring areas, such as Wakhan. [1] The inhabitants were all Tajiks, and spoke a unique local dialect, although the Persian language was widely understood as well. They were members of the Maulai sect.[1] The valley lies in an important strategic area, as it commands the only route between Badakhshan, Shighnan and Wakhan accessible during the winters. There had been a mud fort located in the central village.