Afghan people

Identity

The Afghan identity began to develop as Pashtun identity under the rule of Ahmad Shah who united the Pashtun (Afghan) chiefdoms in the late 18th century. Another boost took place under the rule of Nadir Shah who with Pashtun support further centralized the government. The Durand Line increased unity because it became the actual border between Pakistan and Afghanistan which separated different groups. In 1978-92 after the Soviet intervention a socilist government took power and attempted to eliminate different ethnic resistances. However, after the founding of the Taliban the concept of a national identity decreased with a weaker government in Kabul. After the U.S. coalition invasion of Afghanistan a rebuilding began which requires a national unity.

Related Topics:
18th century - Nadir Shah - Durand Line - Taliban - Kabul

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