Books

It is a short description of a turbulent short reign of King Aman Allah (1919-1929). In 1880 the British government of India had succeeded in monopolizing the conduct of the external relations of Afghanistan. By the end of the First World War a movement for full independence as well as the introduction of western civilization had become strong and the young king responded to it and consequently became a hero king. But in the introduction of western civilization his reforms consisted of measures which were mainly commendable to nearly all, and were partly most provocative to the conservative elements of society. Since in the traditional society of Afghanistan the latter were in majority, they responded violently. Then there were risings against the kings and his reforms. The overall result was the flight of the king, and the complete failure of the first comprehensive reforms in Afghanistan and the beginning of a nine-month civil war.

This book describes how Amir ‘Abd al-Rahman built a centralized government for the first time in Afghanistan by bringing the hitherto autonomous provinces under the direct authority of the central government. Political in nature it describes in detail how the Amir overcame his dynastic rivals, and pacified the provinces with his newly built army. It was these achievements, which prepared the ground for the emergence of national- state, enabling future rulers to introduce reforms.

Based mainly on archival sources this book is an authoritative study of the administrative, social, and economic structure of Afghanistan during a decisive stage in its history. Essentially the author’s Ph.D thesis, it was expanded in the light of new sources.

Based mainly on archival sources this book lays bare how the ground was laid for the emergence of modern Afghanistan as a nation-state, as well as for modernization schemes. It describes how Amr Sher ‘Ali Khan, more fully Amir ‘Abd al-Rahman Khan for the first time consolidated the authority of the central government at the expense of the local magnates . They did so in the days of the Great Game played between Great Britain and Russia for mastery of the Central Asian states. Although the Great Game resulted in the reduction of Afghanistan in size, it also led to the clear demarcation of its boundaries in accordance with international agreements. In many respects it is an account of Afghanistan’s history in its formation period.

This is a detailed account of the Soviet Union’s war on Afghanistan, which began in 1979, and ended in 1989. Based on the Soviet official Documents, the secondary Soviet and Afghan sources, and the author’s journal of the events of part of the occupation period, and his personal observations the work is a sound piece of scholarship. The resistance story is stunning as the Afghan fighters, known as the mujahideen, fought the army of the Soviet superpower so bravely and relentlessly that surprised the Soviet leaders who thought the war will be over shortly. The western supporters of the mujahideen were likewise surprised. The Soviet failure in Afghanistan had worldwide repercussions including its own empire’s dissolution in late 1991.