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Afghanistan has been an area wrapped in violence, religion and turmoil from its earliest days. We hope to to provide a brief history of this region from its earliest days until the Taliban take power. This presentation is only meant to be a brief survey of Afghanistan history.

50,000 BCE 1500 BCE

Historians have found early human settlement. One of the first areas to have farming. This area was a crossroad between Mesopotamia and other civilizations. Aryan tribes invade and settle. The city of Kabul was created in this period. Rig Veda created here. It was a collection of over 1,000 hymns, which contain the mythology of the Hindu gods and the origins of Hinduism.

600 BCE 652 BCE

  Zoroaster introduces religion of Zoroastrianism. Darius of Persia conquers part of Afghanistan. Many wars between Persians and tribal groups for control. Alexander the Great invades. Many tribal revolts against his empire. Various other invasions and tribal wars for control of Afghanistan, such as, Parthians, Kushans, White Huns and Yaftalee. Each invader brought new religious beliefs to be forced on the Afghanistan tribes.

Zoroaster

Alexander

652 - 1774
Arabs introduce religion to Afghanistan and Afghanistan became the center of Islamic power and civilization. Genghis Khan invades Afghanistan, he destroyed the irrigation systems turning the fertile soils into permanent deserts. Marco Polo crosses Afghanistan on his way to China. Various dynasties control Afghanistan with frequent wars for political control. Many wars between Afghanistan and Persia as each takes a turn controlling this region. Afghans retake Kandahar from the Persians and establish modern Afghanistan, 1774.

Marco

Polo

1774 - 1921
Capital of Afghanistan transferred from Kandahar to Kabul because of tribal fighting. Constant internal fighting inside Afghanistan. First Anglo-Afghan War. The British in India try to control Afghanistan, this war ended with the British force of 16,500 wiped out with only one survivor making it alive to a British fort in Jalalabad. Afghanistan is independent but the British take Baluchistan making Afghanistan a landlocked country. Second Anglo-Afghan War. The British take some territories from Afghanistan and allows them to run their internal affairs but Britain handled Afghan Foreign Affairs. Russia takes Afghan territory in the north. Third Anglo-Afghan War. Afghanistan wins and gains full control of her Foreign Affairs.

1921 - 1950
Many power struggles as tribes try to obtain political power. 1929 Muhammad Khan became King and tried to reform the country but was assassinated. United States formally recognizes Afghanistan, 1934. Many tribal leaders tried to unite Afghanistan but violence prevailed. Attempts at democracy failed. Britain withdraws from India, Pakistan is carved out of Indian and Afghan lands.

1950 - 1979
Pakistan and Afghanistan come close to war over disputed lands. Government instability leads to frequent riots and overthrows. Daoud Khan and the Communist Afghan Party seize power and the Republic of Afghanistan is born in 1973. Internal problems with this party cause Daoud to be killed. Mass arrests, tortures and violence become common place in Afghanistan. The Afghan guerrilla group (Mujahideen) formed to fight and resist government that was backed by Communist Russia. Mass killings and the murder of the U.S. Ambassador. Many human rights violations.

Mujahideen Freedom Fighters

1980 - 1994
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan with thousands of troops to support the government in its struggle with the holy warriors called Mujahideen. Five million Afghan refugees flee to Pakistan and Iran. The Soviets with superior weapons could not defeat the guerrilla tactics of the rebels. In 1988 the Soviets began withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan. Fighting between the government and the Mujahideen continued until 1992 when the rebels overthrew the government. Fighting among the factions prevented the formation of a stable government. By the late 1990s a Islamic group known as the Taliban had taken control of most of Afghanistan and set up a Council of Ministers to rule the country.

1994 - 1999
The Taliban movement was formed in Kandahar in 1994 by Islamic students who take a radical approach to interpreting Islam. The Taliban captured Kabul in September 1996 from Mujaheedin regime. The government of Burhan-ul Din Rabani ousted. The Taliban government in Kabul has been recognized only by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Republic. The Taliban regime strongly have been supported by Pakistani military regime. Anti-Taliban factions still hold about 15 percent of the country in the northern parts of Afghanistan. The United Nations and other international communities condemn the Taliban regime because of its violation of human rights, particularly restrictions of women from outside work and freedom. On October 10, 1999, the United States government declare political and economical sanctions against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan because of holding and supporting Saudi billionaire Bin Laden. October 25, 1999, Taliban offer talks between Afghanistan and the US Government including the future of Osma Bin Laden. October 28, 1999. Saudi Millionaire declared his desire to leave Afghanistan November, 5, 1999: Bin Laden likely stay in Afghanistan

Taliban Rule

Between fighting, refugees have returned to homes burned and destroyed by the Taliban.

The United Nations has accused the Taliban of burning homes and crops to keep Afghan refugees from returning home.

Taliban isolated Afghanistan from the world

The Taliban

Taliban Justice

2000 - Today
Mohammed Omar, Taliban leader, continues to give aid and comfort to the terrorist Bin Lauden.

September 11, 2001. Al Qaeda forces of Bin Laden attack the United States.
United States and her allies declare war on terrorism. Taliban Government driven into hiding, many Taliban and Al Quaeda forces killed or captured by the United States and her allies. The Taliban grip on Afghanistan and support for Bin Laden has ended. The War on Terrorism continues.