Afghanistan
In 1747, Ahmad Shah "Abdali" Durrani, the founder of what is known today as Afghanistan, established his rule. He was elected king by
a tribal council after the assassination of the Persian ruler Nadir Shah at Khabushan in the same year. Throughout his reign, Durrani
consolidated chieftainships, principalities, and provinces into one country. His rule extended from Mashhad in the west to Kashmir and
Delhi in the east, and from the Amu Darya (Oxus) River in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south. European Influence Collision
between the expanding British and Russian Empires significantly influenced Afghanistan during the 19th century. British concern over
Russian advances in Central Asia and growing influence in Persia culminated in two Afghan-Anglo wars. The first (1839-42) resulted not
only in the destruction of a British army, but is remembered today as an example of the chivalry of Afghan resistance to foreign
aggressors. The second Afghan-Anglo war (1878-80) was sparked by Amir Shir Ali's refusal to accept a British mission in Kabul. This
conflict brought Amir Abdur Rahman to the Afghan throne. Afghanistan remained neutral during World War I, despite German
encouragement of anti-British feelings and Afghan rebellion along the borders of British India. The Afghan king's policy of neutrality was
not universally popular within the country, however. Habibullah, Abdur Rahman's son and successor, was assassinated by members of
an anti-British movement in 1919. His third son, Amanullah, regained control of Afghanistan's foreign policy after launching the Third
Afghan-Anglo war with an attack on India in the same year. During the ensuing conflict, the war-weary British relinquished their control
over Afghan foreign affairs by signing the Treaty of Rawalpindi in August 1919. In commemoration of this event, Afghans celebrate
August 19 as their Independence Day. Reform and Reaction King Amanullah (1919-29) moved to end his country's traditional isolation in
the years following the Third Anglo-Afghan war. He established diplomatic relations with most major countries and, following a 1927 tour
of Europe and Turkey introduced several reforms intended to modernize the country. Some of these, such as the opening of a number of
coeducational schools and other controversial reforms quickly alienated many tribal and religious leaders. The weakness of the army
under Amanullah further jeopardized his position. He was forced to abdicate in January 1929 after Kabul fell to forces led by Habibullah
Kalakani known also as Bacha-i-Saqao, a brigand. Prince Nadir Khan, a relative of Amanullah's, in turn defeated Bacha-i-Saqao in October
of the same year with the promise to return Amanullah Khan. With considerable support for the return of Amanullah Khan, Nadir Khan
gained power and declared himself King Nadir Shah.
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