A historical look at the reforms of Amir Amanullah Khan

Abstract

Afghanistan is an ancient country located in Asia. Throughout history, it has experienced many vicissitudes, with great emperors such as Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Great, and Genghis Khan invading this resilient land. According to some Afghan scholars, Afghanistan is often referred to as the "cemetery of empires."

Afghanistan faced invasions from all directions until the era of Ahmad Shah Abdali. From the death of Ahmad Shah until the rise of Amanullah Khan, Afghanistan's foreign policy was entirely dependent on the British government. During this period, the rulers of Afghanistan can be considered as local governors under British India. However, when Amanullah came to power, a new chapter began in Afghanistan's history. Amanullah not only secured Afghanistan's independence, placing it on the global map as a sovereign nation, but also implemented significant reformist and modernist initiatives within the country. Despite these achievements, Amanullah ultimately undermined his own progress, undoing many of his accomplishments. Thus, Amanullah's role in modernization is as notable for its advancements as it is for its missteps. This research aims to provide a historical analysis of Amir Amanullah's reforms. This study employs a library-based methodology, utilizing documentary sources.