Once upon a time in Kabul, there was only one roundabout. And what a place it was - a heaving tide of humanity converged on this central axis in the city, an unrivalled space for commerce and conversation.

All roads led to the roundabout and so did the news.

During the 16th Century reign of the Mogul Emperor Babur it was known as the "navel of Kabul".

Afghans met at this point, from across Kabul and across the country.

In the late 19th Century, writes Afghan historian Asif Ahang, "the clever king Amir Abdul Rahman Khan used to check what the people said on the roundabout before executing any decision".

To this day, Afghans ask, in Dari, about Akbar-e Sar-e Chowk - the news from the roundabout.

If newly re-elected President Hamid Karzai sent his envoy there what would he find?

It is still a heaving vortex, a tide of four-wheeled and four-legged conveyance. Horse and human drawn carts jostle with buses and barrows.