The document summarizes the history of Afghanistan from the late 19th century to the rise of the Taliban in the late 20th century. It outlines how Abdul Rahman established the foundations of modern Afghanistan in the late 1800s, and the periods of instability, reforms, and foreign influence that followed. It then discusses the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, communist influence during the Cold War, and the power vacuum that allowed the Taliban to take control in the 1990s after the Soviet withdrawal.

1. Afghanistan: From Abd-urRehman to Taliban
Oct 30, 2009
D Ramana
S. Sridhar

2. Ahmed Shah Durrani's Empire

3. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• Religious Environment
– Hanafi Sunni with Qadriyah & Naqshbandi
influences mostly from India. Great influence
by Sirhindi’s family.
– Shi’a Jafari
– By mid-20th Century, also influenced by Abu
Ala Al Mawdudi and Syed Qutb

4. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• Foundations of modern Afghanistan laid by Abdur-Rehman in late 19th Century
• Established Loya Jirga and Justice Deptt. Thus
depriving power from the ulema.
• Signed Durand Treaty with the British (c. 1893)
• In 1907, Britain & Russia established spheres of
influence in the South & North respectively, after
the Anglo-Russian Agreement,

5. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• After a period of instability following Abd-urRehman, his grandson, Amanuallah took over.
• He remained neutral between Britain & Russia
and signed treaties with them.
• Thus, he refused jihadis from India who went to
Afghanistan to fight the British following the
Khilafat Movement.
• Introduced several reforms like abolishing
polygamy, introducing western dress code,
women’s higher education. These lost him his
job.

6. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• After Amanuallah, Nadir Shah, an islamic
fundamentalist, assumed power and
turned back many reforms.
• Later, his son, a young Zahir Shah
assumed Kingship guided by his uncles.
• After a period of political uncertainties,
Zahir Shah’s cousin and Army
commander, Daoud Khan deposed the
Prime Minister and assumed that position.

7. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• By this time, Pakistan had been created and
joined SEATO/CENTO treaties.
• Daoud Khan raked up the issue of Pashtunistan
and this angered Pakistan.
• Daoud Khan decided to build up his Army with
Russian assistance.
• Daoud Khan also introduced several reforms
and clipped powers of the ulema.
• An angry Pakistan shut the borders and trade
rouetes with landlocked Afghanistan forcing
Zahir Shah to replace Daoud Khan as Prime
Minister

8. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• Three powerful groups had formed in
Afghanistan by this time: ulema led by
Sirhindi’s family, nationalists and
communists.
• Syed Qutb and Mawdudi began to
influence the Islamists
• Hekmatyar, Rabbani & Sayyaf appeared
on the scene

9. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• In c. 1973, Daoud Khan once again assumed
power in a coup and deposed King Zahir Shah
• He continued with his earlier reforms
• Joined hands with the Parchami Marxists to
push through his reforms of land ceiling,
formation of the Republic etc.
• Fearing his tough actions, Hekmatyar and
Rabbani fled to Pakistan where they received
support from Z.A. Bhutto.

10. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• Hekmatyar’s rebellion, supported by
Pakistan, against Daoud Khan was easily
crushed.
• Daoud Khan came under the influence of
oil-rich Shah of Iran and this was disliked
by the Soviet union
• Daoud Khan also began prosecuting the
Parchamis with whom he had joined
hands earlier.

11. Afghanistan: From Abd-ur-Rehman
to Taliban
• The Marxists, who had split into Parchami & Khalq
factions, re-united and re-established the Peoples
Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA).
• The Soviet Union began to help the Marxists fearing
Iranian and American influence.
• Daoud Khan started arresting Marxist leaders. The Chief
of PDPA, Nur Muhammad Taraki, escaped arrest and
activated the officers’ cells in the Army which had been
trained by the Soviet Union.
• In April, 1978, the Army staged a coup and assassinated
Daoud Khan. This was known as the ‘Great Saur (April)
Revolution’. Thus, Marxists came to power.