Afghanistan History: Afghanistan, which is often called the graveyard of empires, holds within itself thousands of years of history. Over the centuries, Afghanistan has seen the rise and fall of empires as well as invasions and foreign occupations. In recent times, its relations with Pakistan are becoming very tense. Although its roots are quite old. Similarly, Afghanistan’s relations with America were also not special. Today we will know how Afghanistan has been defeating its enemies even without nuclear power. Before this, let us take a look at the history of Afghanistan.

Ancient history and the spread of Islam

Human settlement in Afghanistan has been going on since the Stone Age. Over time, it became a part of major empires like the Persian Empire, the Maurya Empire and the conquests of Alexander the Great. Islam started spreading here by the seventh century AD and by the ninth century it became a major religion.

During the medieval period, Afghanistan was a war zone between the Mughal and Safavid Persian empires. Ahmed Shah Durrani established the Durrani Empire in the 18th century. This was followed by the ‘Great Game’, a geopolitical conflict between the British and Russian Empires in the 19th century. It also affected Afghanistan but in 1919 Afghanistan gained full sovereignty.

Soviet war and American intervention

The Soviet invasion of 1979 gave rise to a major war. After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, Afghanistan became embroiled in civil war. This was the reason why Taliban rule was established in the 1990s. After the 9/11 attacks, America attacked Afghanistan in 2001 and temporarily removed the Taliban. But even two decades of military presence could not achieve permanent control. After America’s withdrawal in 2021, Taliban regained power.

Strength of Afghanistan without nuclear weapons

Actually, Afghan fighters are experts in guerrilla warfare. They believe in ambush attacks and hide in mountain caves using hit and run attacks. Local knowledge of the area also gives them a much needed advantage. Apart from this, if we talk about weapons, America has been the biggest source of weapons for Afghanistan. In fact, when America returned with its army from Afghanistan in 2021, it left a large amount of military equipment and weapons there. Apart from this, Afghanistan also has Soviet era weapons. Not only this, in the last 40 years of wars, the Taliban have seized large quantities of arms and ammunition from Afghanistan and other groups.

Along with this, if we talk about the support of other countries, then China, Iran, Qatar and Russia have been accused of supporting Taliban. Not only this, but they have also been accusing Taliban of getting support from Pakistan. On the other hand, the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, especially the Hindu Kush mountain range, proves to be a big challenge for foreign fighters. Hundreds of caves provide safe shelter for fighters. Because of which it becomes very difficult for any army to achieve permanent control.

According to Indian Puranas, the cursed son of King Yayati, Turvasu and Anu’s descendants started eating dogs, cats and snake meat. These descendants started settling in the Dhobi desert located in the north of China, which we know today as Mongolia.

According to Chinese literature, in the centuries of BC, there were many rude castes in the northwest of China, the main Mongol caste. The Mongol invaders used to attack China located in the south of their state and loot the local people. To prevent these invasions, the great wall of China was built about 500 BC.

Alexander settled Greek families

According to the book ‘Dardabhari Dastan of Babur’s sons’, Alexander attacked India about 330 years ago. During this time he passed through the girl area. At that time, the people living here were descendants of ancient qualities, who came to this area due to the formation of China’s wall. Alexander settled the Greek families in the region and named it Bactria. Due to the fair complexion and blue -eyed beauty of the Greeks, it came to be called Nuristan i.e. ‘country of light’.

During the Maurya Emperor Ashoka, many Buddhist monks reached the region and built thousands of Buddha idols in the valleys of Bamiyan. During the Gupta period, some fighters entered India, who persecuted followers of Buddhism. After this, Vaishnavism was revived.

Turks emerged in this region of Afghanistan and established their independent states in the 10th century. Islam was spread during the Turk reign, but the people of Bactria could not accept it for a long time, so Arab Muslims called it ‘Kafiristan’.

Mongol was a confluence of Ottoman and Unani influences

According to historians, the region has been a confluence of Mongol, Ottoman and Unani influences. From the time of Alexander, Maurya and Gupta rulers to the rise of Turks in Central Asia and Afghanistan, the region played an important role in Indian and Central Asian history.

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