Emirate of Afghanistan

Quick Facts: Who was Emirate of Afghanistan?

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Emirate of Afghanistan

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A historical emirate in Central Asia, evolving through periods of foreign influence and internal reform.

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Origins & Early Life

The Emirate of Afghanistan, known as the Principality of Kabul before 1834, and as the Emirate of Kabul until 1855, and also referred to as the Guarded Domains of Afghanistan, the Sublime State of Afghanistan, and the God-Given State of Afghanistan, was an emirate in Central Asia that encompassed present-day Afghanistan, as well as parts of present-day Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The emirate emerged from its predecessor, the Durrani Empire, after the Barakzai dynasty prevailed in Kabul. The history of the Emirate was dominated by the 'Great Game' between the Russian Empire and the British Empire for supremacy in Central Asia. This period was characterized by European influence in Afghanistan. The Emirate of Afghanistan continued the Durrani Empire's war with the Sikh Empire, losing control of the former Afghan stronghold of the Valley of Peshawar at the Battle of Nowshera on 14 March 1823.

Career & Major Achievements

This was followed in 1838 by the First Anglo-Afghan War with British forces. The war eventually resulted in victory for Afghans, with the British withdrawal in 1842, and Dost Mohammad being reinstalled to the throne. However, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880), the British and Afghans signed the Treaty of Gandamak, which allowed the British to assume control of the Afghan territories within modern-day Pakistan as well as of Afghanistan's foreign affairs, on the condition that a subsidy be paid to the Afghans and the British military fully withdraw. Emir Amanullah Khan signed the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 following the Third Anglo-Afghan War, gaining full Afghan autonomy, and the removal of Afghanistan's status of being a de-jure British protectorate. In 1926, Amanullah Khan reformed the country as the Kingdom of Afghanistan, becoming its first King.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Escalated a few years after the establishment of the emirate, the Russian and British interests were in conflict between Muhammad Shah of Iran and Dost Mohammad Khan, which led to the First Anglo-Afghan War, fought between 1838 and 1842. During the war, Britain occupied the capital, Kabul, of the then called Emirate of Kabul, in an effort to prevent Afghanistan from coming under Russian control and curb Russian expansion in the region, while also keeping Afghanistan in the British fold under a puppet leader, Shah Shujah Durrani. The war ended with Dost Mohammad returning to the throne, with the British withdrawing; unable to subjugate the country, they forged greater ties instead, allowing Dost Mohammad to move toward uniting the dis-united state of Afghanistan, which split from the Durrani Civil wars brought on by the sons of Timur Shah. Upon the death of Dost Mohammad in 1863, he was succeeded by his son, Sher Ali Khan. However, three years later, his older brother Mohammad Afzal Khan overthrew him.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1823: 1823 Milestone — The Emirate of Afghanistan continued the Durrani Empire's war with the Sikh Empire, losing control of the former Afghan stronghold of the Valley of Peshawar at the Battle of Nowshera on 14 March 1823.
2. 1834: 1834 Milestone — The Emirate of Afghanistan, known as the Principality of Kabul before 1834, and as the Emirate of Kabul until 1855, and also referred to as the Guarded Domains of Afghanistan, the Sublime State of Afghanistan, and the God-Given State of Afghanistan, was an emirate in Central Asia that encompassed present-day Afghanistan, as well as parts of present-day Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
3. 1838: 1838 Milestone — This was followed in 1838 by the First Anglo-Afghan War with British forces.
4. 1842: 1842 Milestone — The war eventually resulted in victory for Afghans, with the British withdrawal in 1842, and Dost Mohammad being reinstalled to the throne.
5. 1863: 1863 Milestone — Upon the death of Dost Mohammad in 1863, he was succeeded by his son, Sher Ali Khan.
6. 1878: 1878 Milestone — However, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880), the British and Afghans signed the Treaty of Gandamak, which allowed the British to assume control of the Afghan territories within modern-day Pakistan as well as of Afghanistan's foreign affairs, on the condition that a subsidy be paid to the Afghans and the British military fully withdraw.
7. 1919: 1919 Milestone — Emir Amanullah Khan signed the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 following the Third Anglo-Afghan War, gaining full Afghan autonomy, and the removal of Afghanistan's status of being a de-jure British protectorate.
8. 1926: 1926 Milestone — In 1926, Amanullah Khan reformed the country as the Kingdom of Afghanistan, becoming its first King.

Notable Quotes by Emirate of Afghanistan

“In the reign of Amir Dōst Moḥammad and Šēr ʿAlī Khan there existed triangular, red and green military flags bearing the words of the Islamic confession of faith (šahāda) as well as the names of the four caliphs and verses from the Koran relating to jehād "holy war," all in white color.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emirate of Afghanistan

True or False: “The Durand Line was established by Afghan rulers through mutual agreement with Great Britain.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The British forced Afghanistan to consent to the new border, termed the Durand Line, in 1893.

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