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Murder of AMIR HABIBULLAH, which touched off a struggle for the succession. His brother, Nasrullah, was proclaimed emir by conservative factions that had opposed Habibullah's modernization program and his acquiescence to British foreign policy in the region. But the emir's third son, AMANULLAH, won the backing of the army and soon emerged as the new ruler. 1919–29 EMIR (KING) AMANULLAH. The emir, who assumed the title of king in June 1926, embarked on a modernization program that became the central theme of his reign. He introduced a series of reforms that tried, often with little effect, to reshape the government, the national infrastructure, and the legal system. The reckless pace of these reforms led ultimately to his undoing. 1919, May–Aug The Third Afghan War. Afghan troops invaded the Indian frontier but were soon driven back. An armistice was signed at the end of May. In the Treaty of Rawalpindi (Aug. 8), the British formally recognized the sovereignty of the Afghan state, but also terminated their annual subsidies to the Afghan treasury. 28 Assad 1298, August 19, 1919 DETAILS Afghanistan's Indpendence Day 1921 Enactment of a new family code, which banned child marriage and marriages between close relatives (on the grounds that they were contrary to the teachings of Islam). The new law also put a cap on wedding expenses, including the value of the dowry. Feb. 28 1921 Soviet-Afghan Treaty of mutual recognition. The two countries signed a nonaggression pact on Aug. 31, 1926. To the Afghan government, the Soviets represented a counterweight to the pressure from British India. March 1 1921 Signing of a Turkish-Afghan treaty of friendship, as Amanullah tried to cast himself as a pan-Islamic leader. A similar treaty with Iran followed on June 22. Nov. 22 1921 Anglo-Afghan Treaty, by which Afghanistan secured full and formal independence. 1922 Institution of the first national budget. 1923, April 9 Promulgation of a constitution. The emir retained all executive powers. A legislature (half of which was appointed by the emir) was established, but its functions were mainly consultative. 1924–25 Promulgation of a new penal code, which was a combination of secular law, aspects of tribal law, and a systematized version of Islamic law. The new code antagonized leaders of the religious establishment, who perceived it as an attempt by the emir to undercut their authority and prestige. 1924, April The Khost Rebellion, led by the Mangal tribe in response to the government's modernizing reforms. The revolt was put down by Jan. 1925. 1925 Appearance of the first Afghan radio station. 1927 Founding of the first regular daily newspaper, Aman-i Afghan.
Inauguration of a second wave of reforms, inspired by Turkish and Iranian precedents, which ultimately caused the downfall of Amanullah. Among the projects the king put forward were the expansion of the army and the introduction of military conscription, the modernization of the country's communications, and the promotion of secular education. To finance these measures, the king declared a new tax on all mature males. But by far his most controversial proposals involved social policy. The king publicly came out in opposition to polygamy and women's veiling, and imposed Western dress on all Afghans visiting or residing in Kabul. His reforms particularly incensed the religious establishment, the bastion of conservatism in the country. 7
Outbreak of an extensive antigovernment revolt brought on by the king's latest round of reforms. By Jan. 1929 fighting had reached the outskirts of Kabul.
ABDICATION OF AMANULLAH. His older brother, Inayatullah, became the new king, but he too abdicated three days later under mounting rebel attacks inside Kabul.
Assumption of power by BACHA-I SAQAO, a bandit chieftain of Tajik descent, who declared himself emir and took the name HABIBULLAH GHAZI. He immediately denounced Amanullah's reforms and sided with the conservatives. Nevertheless, his rule was short-lived. Forces led by Gen. MUHAMMAD NADIR KHAN, former commander in chief of the Afghan army, occupied Kabul in Oct. 1929 and brought down Bacha's regime. Oct. 16 1929 MUHAMMAD NADIR SHAH became ruler of Afghanistan. He immediately established a policy of reconciliation with tribal chieftains and conservative religious leaders. Although he committed himself to a modernization program, he promised, unlike Amanullah, to move slowly and to avoid social legislation.
Establishment of Afghanistan's first bank, which, after being reorganized the following year, was named the Afghan National Bank. Oct. 31 1931 Promulgation of a new constitution. A bicameral legislature was established, consisting of an elected lower house and royally appointed upper house. All executive powers were vested in the king, who also had the right to veto all legislation. Several clauses guaranteed the social and legal position of Islam and the religious establishment. 1933, Nov. 8 Assassination of NADIR SHAH, to avenge the execution of a political notable the previous year. Nadir was succeeded by his son, MUHAMMAD ZAHIR SHAH, but real political power lay in the hands of Zahir's uncle, Hashim Khan, who carried on with Nadir Shah's policies. 1934 Admission of Afghanistan to the League of Nations. 1946 Official opening of the University of Kabul. The various schools associated with it were not grouped into a single campus until 1964. May 1946 Resignation of Prime Minister Hashim Khan, who was succeeded by his brother, Mahmud Shah Khan. 1949, July Afghanistan's parliament refuses to recognizes new boundaries drawn by Great Britain establishing an independent Pakistan. Formal abrogation of all treaties signed with Britain defining the Durand Line, which after 1947 had become the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan had long coveted Pakistan's northwest border region, which was inhabited by Pashtun tribes. The Afghan government now demanded that Pakistan hold elections in the territory for self-determination. Afghan-Pakistani relations became further strained after Pakistani planes bombed the village of Mogholgai, just inside the border of Afghanistan. In August, Pashtun tribal leaders inside Pakistan declared the independent state of Pashtunistan, which was recognized by Afghanistan. Pashtunistan never came into existence, but the issue remained an irritant to Afghan-Pakistani relations for many years to come. 1953, Sept. 20 A PALACE COUP was carried out without bloodshed. MUHAMMAD DAOUD KHAN, former commander of the Central Forces in Kabul, became the new prime minister. His government ushered in a series of moderate social and economic reforms and drew the country away from a pro-Western foreign policy and toward neutrality. Among the major accomplishments during his tenure were the upgrading of the country's infrastructure (better communications, more roads and airfields) and the strengthening of the armed forces. 1955, Dec. 18 Signing of a ten-year extension to the Soviet-Afghan treaty of nonaggression. 1956, March Implementation of the first Afghan Five-Year Plan for economic development. 1959 A government decree made veiling optional for women. In practice, female employees in the state bureaucracy and female relatives of high government officials had to give up the custom. Suppression of tribal revolts in eastern Afghanistan. 1960, Sept Entry of irregular Afghan troops into Pakistan to assist Pashtun tribesmen who were resisting government troops. Subsequently, escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan led to a break in relations (Sept. 6, 1961). Normal ties were not restored until May 29, 1963. 1963, March 9 Resignation of Prime Minister Muhammad Daoud. KING MUHAMMAD ZAHIR SHAH emerged as the leader of the government, in fact as well as in name, thereby ending some 30 years of rule by a succession of relatives in the office of prime minister. The king appointed Muhammad Yousef as the new premier. 1964, Oct. 2 Promulgation of a new constitution, which created a bicameral legislature responsible for appointing a cabinet. The king still retained extensive powers. One of the major innovations of the constitution was the enfranchisement of women. The first parliamentary elections were held Aug. 26–Sept. 24, 1965, and took place without the activities of political parties. Jan. 1 1965 Founding of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, the first Communist political organization. Among its leading figures were Nur Muhammad Taraki and Babrak Karmal. Oct. 29 1965 Appointment of Muhammad Hashim Maiwandwal as the new prime minister, replacing the outgoing premier, Muhammad Yousef. Nov 1967 Nur Ahmad Etemadi became the new prime minister. 1971–72 The worst drought in Afghanistan's recorded history. In spite of extensive international aid, some 100,000 people died during the resulting famine.
Daoud Khan and the Afghan Communist Party overthrow the ruling Afghan government and long-time king Mohammad Zahir Shah. Daoud, the former king's cousin, abolishes the monarchy, presents a new constitution, ousts suspected opponents from the government and institutes economic and social reforms. The king, Zahir Shah, officially abdicated on Aug. 24. May 11975 Nationalization of the country's banks. Jan. 30 1977 Promulgation of a new constitution. Muhammad Daoud was elected president on Feb. 14.
A MILITARY COUP installed the left-wing regime of Nur Muhammad Taraki, who became president and prime minister. Muhammad Daoud and several other leaders of the fallen government were executed.DETAILS Sept. 16 1979 President Taraki is murdered and Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin became the new president.
THE SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN immediately ignited a civil war. The Soviet force consisted of 85,000 troops, rising to 120,000 by 1983. The war uprooted more than 3 million civilian refugees, who fled across the border to Pakistan and Iran. Six days later, Pres. Amin was overthrown and executed. BABRAK KARMAL succeeded to the presidency. DETAILS 1979-1989 The Soviet-Afghan War. Seven mujahideen parties, based in Peshawar, are selected by Pakistan's President Zia-ul-Haq to receive the military supplies pouring in from western countries and the Islamic world. Aug. 22, 1981 Formation of an alliance among five Afghan resistance groups who became known as mujahidin. 1984 The Mujahidin, known by supporters as "freedom fighters," begins receiving military and logistical assistance from the United States and other countries. February-April 1985. Mikhail Gorbachev assumes power in Moscow. Occupation forces rise to 140,000 men but entire regions, such as the Hazarajat and Kunar valley, are virtual no-go areas to Soviet and government troops. The US supplies the mujahideen with Stinger missiles, tipping the balance of power. 1986 Resignation of Babrak Karmal as president. His replacement was Najib Ahmadzai, known as Najibullah, the secretary-general of the Communist Party. As Soviet casualties mount, Gorbachev describes the Afghan imbroglio as "a bleeding wound", but continues to press for a military solution. February 1988 Gorbachev announces a 10-month phased withdrawal of Soviet troops, beginning mid-May. The Geneva Accords, signed on April 14, allow both superpowers to continue to supply arms to the combatants. April 8, 1988 In an international agreement known as Geneva Accords involving the U.S., the USSR, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, the signatories pledged that Afghanistan would become a nonaligned country whose neutral status would be guaranteed by the U.S. and the USSR. The agreemant called for Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return of refugees without fear of persecution. But the Mujahidin do not take part in the negotiations, and do not accept it. Fighting continued in the countryside between the leftist government and the U.S.-supplied guerrillas. February 14, 1989 In Peshawar, the "Seven-Party Alliance of Afghan Mujahideen" announces the establishment of an "Afghan Interim Government", with Sibghatullah Mujadeddi as president, Shia resistance groups and many key field commanders are excluded. 26th Dalw 1368, Feb 15th 1989 Soviet Union pulled its troops out of Afghanistan, ending 10 years of occupation. DETAILS March-September 1989 Battle of Jalalabad. Mujahideen forces fail to capture key eastern city after a siege claming 10,000 lives. February 6-9, 1990 The US and the Soviet Union agree that President Najibullah will remain in power until internationally-supervised elections can be held. May 29, 1990 Najibullah announces the introduction of a multiparty system. Sept. 13, 1991 Agreement by the U.S. and the USSR to halt all shipments of arms to the combatants in the civil war. February-March 1991 US discontinues military aid to the AIG and announces it cannot guarantee humanitarian assistance for 1992. May 21, 1991 UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar calls for an end to arms supplies to all sides, a cessation of hostilities and elections for a broadly-based democratic government. The AIG rejects any compromise with the Najibullah government. April 16, 1992 Resignation of Pres. Najibullah, who was forced out of office by an alliance of rebel leaders and disaffected army officers.He takes refuge in a UN compound.
The Mujahidin takeover Kabul and declare Afghanistan liberated. They form an Islamic state, headed by the Islamic Jihad Council and Prof. Burhannudin Rabbani. DETAILS June 24, 1992 Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani is declared transitional president of the "Islamic State of Afghanistan" for six months. Hekmatyar's forces fire missiles and rockets into Kabul. July-August 1992 Fighting erupts between rival mujahedin factions in Kabul. The UN evacuates staff from the city and relocates its offices to Islamabad. December 30, 1992 In defiance of the Peshawar Accord, Rabbani is confirmed as president for a further two years by a "Council of Wise Men". Five of the nine key party leaders boycott the council. January 19, 1993 Government launches an offensive against Hekmatyar, who responds with a month-long rocket bombardment of the capital. Thousands of civilians perish. March 7, 1993 Under the Islamabad Accord, Rabbani's term is reduced to 18 months and Hekmatyar is brought in as prime minister. Fighting resumes two days later over the unresolved status of both Defence Minister Ahmad Shah Massoud and General Dostum, the former communist who controls northern Afghanistan. June 17, 1993 Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the mujahidin, became prime minister. His first step was the announcement of a program to unite and pacify the countryside, which was effectively split into three regions: the Tajik and Uzbek north, controlled by Gen. Abdul Dostam; the south and east (including Kabul), in the hands of Pashtun tribesmen; and the west, lying within the Iranian sphere of influence. Jan 1994 A series of bombing raids was launched against government forces in Kabul in an attempt to oust the president, Burhanuddin Rabbani. January , 1994 The Battle for Kabul intensifies as General Dostum forms an alliance with Hekmatyar. Fighting continues throughout the year but no clear winner emerges. A blockade halts the delivery of relief food and medicine. February 14, 1994 Ambassador Mahmoud Mestiri is named head of a Special UN Mission with a mandate to restart the peace process. He tables proposals for a ceasefire, the creation of a neutral security force and the summoning of a Loya jirga, or representative council, to oversee the formation of a transitional government. 1994 The staunchly conservative Taliban militia is born and begins to rise up against Rabbani's government and its supporters. October 1994 Kandahar falls to an obscure militia of religious students, or taliban, led by Mullah Mohammad Omar, who calls for 4,000 volunteers from Pakistan. November 11, 1994 The UN appeals for $106.4 million to meet the humanitarian requirements of Afghanistan for the next twelve months. Fighting during the year has killed 7,000, injured around 100,000 and made more than half a million people homeless, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. 1995, Feb. 22 The peace efforts in Afghanistan led by the UN lagged when the Afghan president Rabbini refused to relinquish power to an interim council. February 1995 Taliban force Hekmatyar to abandon his rocket bases at Charasyab and Maidanshahr, ending the first siege of Kabul. March 20, 1995 Following the killing of Abdul-Ali Mazari, leader of the Shia Hizb-I Wahdat, Taliban forces are expelled from Kabul by government forces. Sept. 5 1995 The conservative Muslim Taliban militia captured the important city of Herat in a newly launched oppositional offensive. September 5, 1995 After fierce fighting in western Afghanistan, Heart falls to the Taliban. Local warlord Ismail Khan flees with 8,000 followers to Iran. September 6, 1995 Pakistan's embassy in Kabul is set ablaze by rioting Afghans. October 1995 Second siege begins as the Taliban rocket the capital and tighten the blockade. October 4, 1995 At the UN General Assembly in New York, Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Ghafoorzai accuses Pakistan of orchestrating and supplying the Taliban movement. April 3, 1996 1,000 Muslim clergymen elect Mullah Mohammad Omar as Amir ul-Momineen, or Leader of the Faithful. June 26, 1996 After a peace deal between Rabbani and Hekmatyar, the latter re-assumes his title as prime minister. Islamic dress code is enforced for women in Kabul. September 5, 1996 Taliban launch offensive in eastern Afghanistan, capturing Jalalabad. September 26, 1996 Massoud abandons Kabul.
The Taliban forces took control of Kabul after a two-day siege during which hundreds were killed. Taliban executed Najibullah and declare Afghanistan a "completely Islamic State". DETAILS October 7, 1996 Rabbani, Dostum and Karim Khalili, leader of Hizb-I Wahdat, announce formation of an anti-Taliban alliance called the Council for the Defence of Afghanistan. May 13, 1997 Afghan opposition forms new government under Rabbani in Mazar-I Sharif. May 19, 1997 General Abdul Malik, governor of Faryab, mutinies and allies with the Taliban. Dostum flees to Turkey. May 24, 1997 Taliban forces enter Mazar-I-Sharif. May 25, 1997 Pakistan recognises the Taliban government, followed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. May 28, 1997 General Malik, in alliance with Hizb-i wahdat, turns on Taliban. Hundreds killed and 2,000 captured as fierce fighting drives them from the city. June 10, 1997 Mullah Mohammad Omar makes his first public visit to Kabul to rally morale. August 1997 Taliban blockade the Hazarajat. October 1997 UNOCAL announces trans-Afghanistan pipeline consortium. November 18, 1997 US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright condemns Taliban treatment of women. February 23, 1998 Osama bin-Ladin calls on Muslims to 'kill the Americans and their allies - civilian and military'. March 25, 1998 UN withdraws staff from Kandahar April 17, 1998 US ambassador to UN Bill Richardson holds peace talks with the Taliban. July 21, 1998 Foreign NGOs leave Kabul. 17th Assad 1377-Aug. 8–12 1998 The Taliban fundamentalist Islamic faction that had control of Afghanistan's government won control of more than 90 percent of the country with victories in Mazar-e Sharif and Taloqan on Aug. 8 and 11, respectively. Taliban massacred 3000-8000 civillians mostly Hazaras in the city of Mazar-e Sharif, Further territory along the Uzbekistan border was taken by Taliban forces on Aug. 12. The conflicts caused the deaths of dozens, including several Iranian diplomats. DETAILS 29th Assad 1377 Aug. 20 1998 Terrorist training camps, allegedly run by ex-Saudi businessman and Islamic extremist Osama bin Laden, were struck by U.S. cruise missiles southeast of Kabul. This strike was one of a series of air attacks by the U.S. in response to the Aug. 2 bombing of embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. August 21, 1998 After UN observer is murdered in Kabul, the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross withdraw all foreign staff. Sept. 10 1998 As tensions rose following the August murders of several Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan, Iran sent 200,000 troops to the Afghani border. September 1998 Saudi Arabia withdraws diplomats; Taliban capture Bamiyan. November 8, 1998 US posts $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of bin-Ladin: Taliban respond with offer to try bin-Laden in Afghanistan, finding him "innocent" of wrongdoing by the end of the month. December 6, 1998 UNOCAL announces its withdrawal from the pipeline consortium. 1999, March 14 Secret UN talks in Turkmenistan ended with an accord “in principle” that Afghanistan would soon be ruled by a coalition government. The Taliban retained control, however, and the civil war raged through 1999. April 21, 1999 Taliban recapture Bamiyan. July 6, 1999 US imposes trade sanctions on Afghanistan. July 28, 1999 Taliban launch three-pronged offensive against Massoud, capturing Bagram air base. August 4, 1999 Ethnic cleansing of Shamali Plain; Massoud launches successful counter-offensive. August 24, 1999 Attempted assassination of Mullah Mohammad Omar. Nov. 14 1999 Because Afghanistan refused to turn over Osama bin Laden to the U.S. for prosecution, the U.S. and UN imposed stricter economic sanctions on the country, freezing foreign assets and as a result inciting anti-UN riots across Afghanistan. Dec. 24 1999 The Taliban improved its international image slightly by successfully mediating an agreement between the Indian government and Muslim extremist hijackers who had commandeered an Indian Airlines plane. February 2000 Hijacking of Ariana Airways flight to Stansted, London. March 2000 Ismail Khan, former ruler of Heart, escapes from Kandahar after three years in chains. 2000, Sept.5-6 After 33 days fighting Taliban/Pakistani/Arab forces won a key victory by taking the town of Taloqan, where the opposing Northern Alliance was headquartered. Headed by Ahmed Shah Massoud, the Northern Alliance was the primary rebel force that had withheld the last 10 percent of Afghani soil from Taliban control. The following day the Taliban requested that the UN recognize it as Afghanistan's official and sovereign government. Thousands of refugees head for the Tajik and Pakistani borders October 12, 2000 Washington warns it will attack Afghanistan if bin-Laden is found responsible for the bomb attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, which kills 17 sailors. December10-19, 2000 UN and NGO foreign staff withdraw amid fear of reprisals. Dec. 19 2000 The UN Security Council voted to tighten diplomatic sanctions on Afghanistan by imposing an arms embargo on the Taliban government. The UN also repeated its demands for extradition of bin Laden, but the Taliban continued to avoid cooperation.
9 SEPTEMBER 2001 The leader of the Northern Alliance, Ahmad Shah Masood, was attacked by a suicide bomber in his office in the northern part of the country. He was mortally wounded, and died on the 14th. He was succeeded by General Muhammad Fahim 7-11 OCTOBER 2001 US and British forces started air and missile strikes on military targets associated with the Taliban regime and the al Qaeda terrorist network. The strikes appeared to be intended mainly to damage air defenses, disrupt operation of al Qaeda's training camps and assist the rebel Northern Alliance. 9 NOVEMBER 2001 Northern Alliance forces entered Mazar-i-Sharif. The Alliance claimed to have taken the surrounding province of Balkh. 13 NOVEMBER 2001 Northern Alliance forces entered Kabul. Forces loyal to opposition warlord Ismail Khan entered Herat. Another opposition warlord claimed to have taken Nimruz province in the Southwest, adjacent to Iran. Anti-Taliban revolts broke out in in Laghman, Logar, Kunar and Nangahar provinces. 11 NOVEMBER 2001 The Northern Alliance trapped well over 10,000 Taliban troops in Kunduz province. The Alliance claimed to have taken Takhar province, including the capital, Taloqan 25 NOVEMBER 2001 Kunduz fell to Northern Alliance forces. 27 NOVEMBER-5 DECEMBER 2001 Representatives of several Afghan groups held talks in Bonn, Germany regarding the establishment of a provisional government for the country. 26 OCTOBER 2001 The Taliban captured and executed Abdul Haq, an ethnic Pashtun opposition leader. 7 DECEMBER 2001 Anti-Taliban forces entered Kandahar. Taliban leader Mohammad Omar was not found and his whereabouts were unknown. Anti-Taliban forces, with US air support, were closing in on about 1,000 al-Qaeda fighers in the Tora Bora region of eastern Afghanistan
Hamid Karzai was sworn in as leader of the interim government 18 April 2002 Former Afghan king Zahir Shah has returned to Kabul from Italy after 29 years in exile. Delegations from all over Afghanistan - holding flowers and pictures of the former king - greeted him at the airport, overjoyed at his return. 11-20 JUNE 2002 A Loya Jirga, or Grand Council, consisting of delegates from various segments of Afghan society, met in Kabul to select a new government to run the country until general elections can be held in 18 months. It selected interim leader Hamid Karzai as President and approved a new cabinet. 5 SEPTEMBER 2002 There was a failed assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai in Kandahar. Two gunmen opened fire on Karzai's motorcade near the Kandahar governor's residence. Shortly before the attack, a car bomb exploded in Kabul, killing at least 16 people. 14 DECEMBER 2003- 4 JANUARY 2004 A Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) was held to draft a new constitution. It calls for a strong president; there is no mention of Sharia law 26 Jan 2004 The President of Afghanistan's transitional government, Hamid Karzai, has signed the country's new constitution at a ceremony in Kabul. DETAILS 9 OCTOBER 2004 A presidential election was held. On 3 November, the U.N.-Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body announced President Hamid Karzai won 55.4% of the vote; former education minister Yunus Qanooni won 16.3%. Sixteen other candidates split the rest. Turnout was 70%. Karzai said his government would “work for strengthening of the Afghan army, the police, and other institutions of the state" and that "There will not be any private militia forces in Afghanistan. Dec. 7 04 Sworn in Tuesday as Afghanistan's first popularly elected president, Hamid Karzai immediately vowed to tackle the daunting challenges ahead, such as curbing the influence of regional warlords and rolling back the country's booming opium trade. 12/24/2004 Afghanistan's new Cabinet was sworn in, sealing the ouster of some high-profile warlords from the government. Sources The Encyclopedia of World History, BBC, Mumbai Central
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