Kabul in History

Founder & 1st leader of Afghanistan when it becomes an independent Emirate

Ahmad Shah takes Kabul and extends his government across eastern Afghanistan.

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan, elected Shah

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Timur Shah transfers the principal capital from Kandahar to Kabul.

Timur Shah dies, leaving the succession contested among his sons.

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Zaman Shah succeeds Timur Shah and attempts to preserve central control.

Mahmud Shah takes the throne after overthrowing Zaman Shah.

Zaman Shah is deposed and blinded during a struggle among the Durrani princes.

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Shah Shuja defeats Mahmud Shah and assumes the Afghan throne.

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Restored as Shah of Afghanistan

Mahmud Shah regains the throne after Shah Shuja is driven from power.

The execution of chief minister Fateh Khan triggers a Barakzai revolt and the collapse of Mahmud Shah's authority.

Dost Mohammad Khan gains control of Kabul and establishes Barakzai rule.

Succeeds as Amir of Afghanistan

Dost Mohammad adopts the title amir while strengthening his authority around Kabul.

Dost Mohammad rejects British demands that would limit his diplomacy with Russia and Persia.

Restored as Amir of Afghanistan

British forces restore Shah Shuja to the throne during the First Anglo-Afghan War.

Restored as Amir of Afghanistan

Shah Shuja is assassinated after the collapse of the British-backed government.

Dost Mohammad returns to Kabul and resumes rule after British forces withdraw.

Sher Ali Khan succeeds his father but faces immediate challenges from his brothers.

Succeeds as Amir of Afghanistan

Mohammad Afzal Khan seizes Kabul and displaces Sher Ali from the throne.

Succeeds as Amir of Afghanistan

Mohammad Azam Khan succeeds his brother as amir of Afghanistan.

Succeeds as Amir of Afghanistan

Sher Ali regains Kabul and restores his government after defeating rival claimants.

Restored as Amir of Afghanistan

Sher Ali refuses an uninvited British diplomatic mission, contributing to the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

Succeeds as Amir of Afghanistan

Yaqub Khan becomes amir after the death of Sher Ali.

Yaqub Khan abdicates after the killing of the British envoy and renewed war.

British authorities recognize Abdur Rahman as amir while preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan.

An Anglo-Russian agreement defines much of Afghanistan's northern boundary during Abdur Rahman's reign.

Abdur Rahman signs the Durand Agreement with Mortimer Durand, defining the frontier between Afghanistan and British India.

The new boundary leaves several Pashtun tribal areas under British Indian administration, creating lasting Afghan opposition.

Abdur Rahman uses settled frontiers to strengthen taxation, military authority, and provincial administration.

Abdur Rahman dies after creating a highly centralized Afghan state.

Habibullah Khan succeeds his father without a major succession war.

Habibullah establishes Habibia School as an important institution for modern education.

Habibullah confirms earlier agreements with British India while retaining authority over internal affairs.

Habibullah refuses to formally accept an Anglo-Russian convention negotiated without Afghan participation.

Habibullah keeps Afghanistan neutral during the First World War despite pressure to attack British India.

Habibullah receives a German-Ottoman mission but continues Afghanistan's wartime neutrality.

Amanullah establishes relations with Soviet Russia, which recognizes Afghanistan's independence.

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Amanullah takes control in Kabul and defeats Nasrullah's claim to the throne.

Amanullah declares Afghanistan fully independent in foreign affairs.

Britain and Afghanistan sign a treaty establishing normal diplomatic relations after independence.

Amanullah promulgates Afghanistan's first written constitution and defines a centralized constitutional state.

Amanullah changes his title from amir to king of Afghanistan.

Amanullah begins an extensive foreign tour to study modernization and strengthen diplomatic relations.

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Succeeds as Shah of Afghanistan

Amanullah abdicates as rebel forces threaten Kabul.

Inayatullah Khan succeeds Amanullah during the collapse of the royal government.

Inayatullah abdicates after only three days as rebel forces enter Kabul.

Habibullah Kalakani captures Kabul and takes power from the Barakzai monarchy.

Nadir Khan's forces capture Kabul and overthrow Habibullah Kalakani.

A tribal assembly proclaims Mohammad Nadir Shah king of Afghanistan.

A Loya Jirga confirms Nadir Shah's rule and supports a gradual approach to reform.

Nadir Shah promulgates a constitution combining royal authority with a national council.

A student assassinates Nadir Shah during a school ceremony in Kabul.

Mohammad Zahir Shah succeeds his assassinated father as king of Afghanistan.

The United States formally recognizes Zahir Shah's government and expands diplomatic contacts.

Zahir Shah's government declares neutrality after the outbreak of the Second World War.

The government removes many German and Italian nationals after British and Soviet pressure.

Mohammad Daoud Khan is appointed Minister of Defence in the royal government.

Shah Mahmud Khan replaces Mohammad Hashim Khan as prime minister.

A Loya Jirga rejects earlier frontier agreements after Pakistan emerges from British India.

Daoud promotes state-led development, military expansion, and stronger central administration.

Mohammad Daoud Khan becomes prime minister and begins a decade of centralized government.

Daoud receives Soviet leaders Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev and accepts major development assistance.

Daoud's government acquires substantial Soviet military equipment and training.

Women of the royal family appear unveiled at public independence celebrations with government support.

Pakistan closes its border after relations deteriorate over Daoud's support for Pashtunistan.

Zahir Shah supports a transition from royal-family cabinets toward constitutional civilian government.

Mohammad Yusuf becomes prime minister and leads preparations for constitutional government.

Daoud resigns after King Zahir Shah seeks constitutional government and reduced tension with Pakistan.

Zahir Shah promulgates a constitution establishing a constitutional monarchy, elected parliament, and expanded civil rights.

Maiwandwal becomes prime minister after the first parliamentary elections under the 1964 Constitution.

The PDPA splits into two rival factions, the Khalq (Masses) faction headed by Nur Muhammad Taraki and Hafizullah Amin and the Parcham (Banner) faction led by Babrak Karmal

The PDPA splits into two rival factions, the Khalq (Masses) faction headed by Nur Muhammad Taraki and Hafizullah Amin and the Parcham (Banner) faction led by Babrak Karmal

Nur Ahmad Etemadi becomes prime minister after a period of cabinet instability.

Abdul Zahir becomes prime minister during the final years of the monarchy.

The government struggles to answer severe drought and famine, increasing criticism of the monarchy.

Mohammad Musa Shafiq becomes the monarchy's final prime minister.

Proclaims a republic

Forces the King into exile & proclaims a Republic. After the famine of 1972, overthrows King Mohammed Zahir Shah in a Soviet backed coup

Daoud overthrows Zahir Shah while the king is receiving medical treatment in Italy.

Stages a coup while Zahir Shah is out of the country

Mohammad Daoud Khan becomes Afghanistan's first president after overthrowing the monarchy.

Daoud's republican coup removes Shafiq and dissolves the royal government.

Daoud proclaims the Republic of Afghanistan and assumes executive authority.

Daoud begins removing Parcham-linked officers and officials who had supported his republican coup.

Daoud seeks Iranian economic assistance while reducing Afghanistan's dependence on the Soviet Union.

Daoud establishes the National Revolutionary Party as the republic's sole authorized political organization.

The Loya Jirga unanimously elects Daoud president for a six-year term.

A Loya Jirga ratifies a constitution concentrating executive power in the presidency.

Daoud signs a constitution creating a centralized presidential and one-party republic.

Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran

Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran. Power is assumed by a 57 member Revolutionary Council of the Peoples Democratic Party

Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran

Reforms are opposed by conservative Muslims & thousands flee to Pakistan & Iran

Declares martial law

A large communist funeral procession for Mir Akbar Khyber prompts Daoud to arrest senior PDPA leaders.

Nur Muhammad Taraki, Secretary General of the PDPA, becomes President of the Revolutionary Council and Prime Minister of the newly established Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

Rebel armour and aircraft attack government positions as Daoud orders loyal forces to resist.

The banned pron PDPA stages a coup during which Daud is killed

Takes charge as President of the Revolutionary Council. Imprisoned leader of the Khalk faction of the banned PDPA. Daud is assassinated in a military coup

Taraki assumes the Presidency, Prime Minister'ship and General Secretary of the PDPA

Nur Muhammad Taraki, Secretary General of the PDPA, becomes President of the Revolutionary Council and Prime Minister of the newly established Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

PDPA-aligned military units begin the Saur Revolution against Daoud's government.

The Revolutionary Council proclaims the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan under Taraki.

Taraki becomes head of the Revolutionary Council and prime minister after the Saur Revolution.

Taraki assumes the offices of head of state, prime minister, and PDPA general secretary.

Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Hafizullah Amin seizes power after a palace shootout that results in the murder of President Taraki

The government issues a decree regulating marriage payments and setting minimum marriage ages.

Amin seeks stronger Soviet military support as insurgency spreads and government authority weakens.

Amin's government faces expanding armed resistance and repeatedly requests additional Soviet assistance.

Amin becomes prime minister while Taraki remains head of state and PDPA general secretary.

United States President Jimmy Carter authorizes covert propaganda support against the Afghan revolutionary government.

President Taraki tries to have Amin assassinated but fails, Amin has him arrested

Amin removes Taraki from government and party leadership after a violent power struggle.

Amin assumes control of the Revolutionary Council and the PDPA.

Officially dies under arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin

The Kabul Times announces Tarakis death. Officially dies under arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin

The Kabul Times announces Tarakis death. Officially diesunder arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin. Death of Nur Taraki, assassinated

Russia invades after Amins unpopularity & failure to suppress the guerrillas

Large Soviet military units enter Afghanistan as Moscow prepares to replace Amin.

Placed in power by a Russian backed coup

Babrak Karmal is installed as chairman of the Revolutionary Council following the Soviet intervention.

The Afghan Revolutionary Central Committee elects as head of Government former Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal. Broadcasts an appeal for Soviet help from a radio station within Russia

The Afghan Revolutionary Central Committee elects as head of Government former Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal

Soviet forces remove Amin and transfer power to Babrak Karmal.

Karmal announces an amnesty and promises religious freedom to broaden support for his government.

Karmal promulgates the Fundamental Principles of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan as an interim constitutional framework.

Karmal reorganizes ministries and relies increasingly on Soviet advisers to administer the country.

Karmal establishes the National Fatherland Front to widen the political base of the state.

Najibullah becomes PDPA general secretary and begins consolidating control over the government.

Karmal is replaced by Mohammad Najibullah as PDPA general secretary.

Najibullah begins promoting national reconciliation as the central policy of his government.

Najibullah begins a unilateral ceasefire intended to open negotiations with resistance groups.

Najibullah announces a unilateral ceasefire and invites opposition groups to negotiate.

A new constitution establishes the Republic of Afghanistan and provides for an elected presidency.

Najibullah assumes the constitutional presidency and continues his national reconciliation policy.

The Loya Jirga elects Najibullah president under the new constitution.

The Taleban establish a fundamentalist Islamic state

The Taleban establish a fundamentalist Islamic state

The Taleban establish a fundamentalist Islamic state

The Taleban establish a fundamentalist Islamic state. The Taleban drive the Government out of Kabul. Kabul is captured and an alliance of the Mujahideen sets up a new Government with Burhanuddin Rabbani as interim president

Kabul is captured and an alliance of the Mujahideen sets up a new Government with Burhanuddin Rabbani as interim president

The Taleban drive the Government out of Kabul

The Taleban establish a fundamentalist Islamic state

The Taleban establish a fundamentalist Islamic state. The Taleban drive the Government out of Kabul

A Loya Jirga amends the constitution, strengthens Islamic provisions, and removes remaining communist terminology.

Najibullah announces his resignation as government authority collapses and opposition forces approach Kabul.

Mojaddedi becomes interim head of the Islamic State of Afghanistan after the communist government collapses.

Afghanistan is declared an Islamic State

Afghanistan is declared an Islamic State

Kabul falls to the Mujahideen

Kabul falls to the Mujahideen

Fighting between Hikmatrs forces & the Mujahideen in Kabul starts 4 yrs of civil war

Fighting between Hikmatrs forces & the Mujahideen in Kabul starts 4 yrs of civil war

Rabbani succeeds Mojaddedi as president of the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

The Taliban exiles President Rabbani and executes Najibullah

The Taliban exiles President Rabbani and executes Najibullah

The Taliban started shelling Kabul in early 1995 but were defeated by forces of the Islamic State Government under Ahmad Shah Massoud

The Northern Alliance military front is formed in late 1996 after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) took over Kabul the United Front is assembled by key leaders of the Islamic State of Afghanistan

The Northern Alliance wfights a defensive war against the Taliban Government they receive support from Iran Russia Turkey India Tajikistan and others while the Taliban are backed by al-Qaeda the Northern Alliance is mostly made up of ethnic Tajiks

but later includes Uzbeks Hazaras and Pashtuns.

particularly president in exile Burhanuddin Rabbani and former Defence Minister Ahmad Shah Massoud

The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

Appointed Emir, spiritual ruler

The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

Wrapped in the cloak of the Prophet & proclaimed Emir, spiritual ruler. The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

Hekmatyar again becomes prime minister under a renewed agreement with Rabbani.

Captured by the Taliban

The Taliban exiles President Rabbani and executes Najibullah

The Taliban exiles President Rabbani and executes Najibullah

Captured by the Taliban

The Taliban with military support by Pakistan and financial support by Saudi Arabia, prepared for another major offensive against the capital Kabul, Massoud orders a full retreat from the city

The Taliban with military support by Pakistan and financial support by Saudi Arabia, prepared for another major offensive against the capital Kabul, Massoud orders a full retreat from the city

Rabbani's government withdraws from Kabul as Taliban forces enter the capital.

The Taliban seize Kabul and establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

The Taliban seize Kabul and establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Kabul falls to the Taliban

The Taliban seize Kabul and establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Kabul falls to the Taliban

Mohammad Rabbani heads the Taliban's governing council in Kabul under Mullah Omar's authority.

Kabul falls to the US-backed Northern Alliance

Kabul falls to the US-backed Northern Alliance

Karzai is sworn in as chairman of Afghanistan's thirty-member Interim Administration.

Abdullah Abdullah joins the Interim Administration as foreign minister and remains in the Transitional Administration.

The Emergency Loya Jirga elects Karzai to head the Transitional Administration.

Karzai appoints Ashraf Ghani finance minister to lead fiscal and administrative reconstruction.

Ali Ahmad Jalali is appointed Minister of Interior in the Transitional Administration.

Karzai signs the constitution establishing an Islamic republic with a presidential system and bicameral legislature.

The constitution formally names the country the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The constitution creates the Wolesi Jirga and Meshrano Jirga as the two houses of the National Assembly.

Karzai is inaugurated as the first elected president under the 2004 Constitution