This document provides a brief history of Afghanistan from 50,000 BCE to the present day. It covers the early human settlements and introduction of farming, invasions and conquests by various groups like the Aryans, Persians, Greeks, and Arabs who brought new religions. It then discusses the period of British influence and wars in the 19th century, as well as periods of instability, communist rule, and the Soviet invasion. Finally, it outlines the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s, their rule over most of Afghanistan, and their hosting of Al Qaeda until being driven from power after 9/11.

1. Click or
just sit back and watch.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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 1990’s 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.