Afghanistan History

Influence of Power Historical Timeline

• 1st Century: Buddhist Kushans rule

• 3rd Century: Persians defeat Kushans

• 7th Century: Muslim Arabs defeat Persians

• 1219: Genghis Khan's Mongols overthrow Arabs, devastating Afghanistan; Safavids rule west, Uzbeks north

• 1747: Ahmad Shah emerges, known as "Father of Modern Afghanistan"; majority Muslim, Pashtun

• 1838: British India invades in the Anglo-Afghan War

• 1919: King Amanullah Khan ends British influence after Third Anglo-Afghan War

• Post-1919: Peaceful rule until 1973 when Mohammad Daoud overthrows king, leading to republicanism

• 1978: Daoud assassinated as communists rise

• 1979: Soviet Army occupies Kabul, leading to jihad against the Soviets

• 1989: Soviets withdraw; conflict leaves over 1 million Afghans dead and millions as refugees

• Civil War: Mujaheddin factions fail to unify, causing civil war and casualties

• Rise of Taliban: Emerges from power vacuum; enforces strict Islamic law, repressing women

• Post-9/11: US overthrows Taliban; ongoing challenges with Taliban resurgence in Islamic Republic.