Chronology of Pre-Civil War Afghanistan

This is not intended to be a comprehensive history, but rather an indication of the consistent conflict and strife that has occurred in Afghanistan throughout history.

 

 

 

Megas Alexander Empire

Angelina Jolie

522 BC–486 BC

 

 

 Persian Empire takes Afghanistan, but is plagued by constant tribal revolts.

329 BC–326 BC

Alexander the Great takes Afghanistan, tribal revolts continue.

1st century AD–3rd century AD
Kushan Empire arises and expands throughout the region…

 1954–1961
The U.S. rejects Afghanistan’s request to buy military equipment to modernize the army. Prime Minister Prince Mohammad Daoud Khan turns to the USSR for aid. The issue between Pakistan and Afghanistan over Pashtunistan flares up in both 1955 and 1961. Afghanistan grows closer to the USSR.
1965
The Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan, after the election of its leader, Babrak Karmal, instigate riots.
1973
Mohammad Zahir Shah is deposed in a military coup supported by Mohamad Daoud Khan and the Communist Party of Afghanistan. Daoud abolishes the monarchy and declares himself President.

Christina Dian Parmionova

1978

  

In a bloody Communist coup, Daoud is killed and Nur Mohammad Taraki seizes power, with Babrak Karmal as his Deputy Prime Minister. Mass arrests and tortures take place, Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the USSR and the Mujahideen movement is formed.
1979
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan occurs to prop up the Afghan Communist Party, the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). Mujahideen attacks escalate.
In fact, factions within the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, were in conflict during the Soviet occupation. The largely Pashtoon Khalq (”Masses”) faction, was led by Nur Mohammad Taraki and Hafizullah Amin, and clashed with the Iranian-speaking Parcham (”Banner”) faction, led by Babrak Karmal. Taraki had had a long-standing relationship with the KGB, but was increasingly perceived as being “painfully vain”, referring to himself as the “Great Leader of the April Revolution” and even made the heretical claim that this act was on a par with, if not greater to, the Bolshevik October Revolution. The KGB found the Parcham leader far easier to deal with. He was educated, sociable and more flexible. On October 10, 1998, it was reported that Taraki had “died yesterday morning of a serious illness”, a euphemism for his removal from power. The KGB also fomented the existing feuds betweens the various mujahideen groups, reducing their effectiveness.
Afghanistan is a has experienced many conflicts. A crossroads for Human migration, invasion, and conquest have made Afghanistan a highly heterogeneous nation. Though dominated by the Pushtun peoples (42%), many other ethnic groups are present. These include the Tajiks (27%), Hazaras (9%), Uzbeks (9%), Aimak (4%), Turkmen (3%), and a number of smaller groups scattered across the country. Religion also plays its part — 80% of the people are Sunni Muslims while the remaining 20% are Shia, predominantly the Hazaras. Though each speak their own language, and have their own customs and culture, each group also speaks one or both of the official languages of Afghanistan, Dari or Pushtu. Tribal and intra-tribal rivalries, feuds and conflicts have made conflict a common thread of life in Afghanistan…