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Afghanistan
Ancient crossroads of empires — Greek, Kushan, Islamic, Mughal, British and Soviet.
Overview
Afghanistan sits at the heart of Eurasia, crossed by Alexander, the Kushan Empire, Islamic caliphates, the Timurids and modern superpowers. Its Bamiyan Buddhas and Ghaznavid empire testify to its layered history.
Basic Information
CapitalKabul
Population42 million
Area652,230 km²
CurrencyAfghani (AFN)
LanguagesPashto, Dari
RegionSouth Asia
History Timeline
- 329 BCEAlexander in Bactria
- c. 30 – 375 CEKushan Empire
- 977 – 1186Ghaznavid Empire
- 1747Ahmad Shah Durrani founds modern Afghanistan
- 1979 – 1989Soviet-Afghan War
- 2001 – 2021US-led war and Taliban restoration
Ancient Peoples
- Bactrians
- Sogdians
- Pashtuns
- Hazaras
Ancient Kingdoms
- Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
- Kushan Empire
Empires
- Achaemenid
- Kushan
- Ghaznavid
- Timurid
- Durrani
Religions
- Sunni Islam
- Shia Islam
- Buddhism (historical)
Culture
Persian and Pashto poetry, Bamiyan Buddhas, tribal codes (Pashtunwali).
Language
Pashto and Dari (Persian) are official.
Important Battles
- Battle of the Hydaspes326 BCE
Alexander in South Asia
- Battle of Maiwand1880
Afghan victory over British
Historical Figures
Kanishka
c. 127 – 150
Kushan emperor
Mahmud of Ghazni
998 – 1030
Ghaznavid conqueror
Ahmad Shah Durrani
1747 – 1772
Founder of modern Afghanistan
Archaeological Sites
- Bamiyan
- Ai-Khanoum
- Balkh
- Herat
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Minaret of Jam
- Cultural Landscape of Bamiyan Valley
Dynasties
- Ghaznavid
- Ghurid
- Timurid
- Durrani
Colonial Period
Never fully colonized; British spheres of influence.
Modern History
Islamic Emirate under Taliban rule since 2021.