How Afghanistan won its freedom from Britain
The history of Afghanistan's struggle for independence and its aftermath
The months between May and August 1919 were a crucial time for Afghanistan: it was the period of the Third Anglo-Afghan War followed by the declaration of Afghan independence from Britain. So how was modern Afghan national identity forged? Who were the leaders responsible? Why, in the 19th century, had the country become financially and politically dependent on Britain? And what, a century on, is the legacy Afghanistan's independence struggle?
These are some of the issues that Bridget Kendall discusses with historians of Afghanistan, professors Shah Mahmoud Hanifi, Sana Haroon and Benjamin Hopkins.
Photo: People hold Afghan flags as they celebrate Afghan Independence Day (Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
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The king who tried to modernise Afghanistan
Duration: 01:24
Broadcasts
- Thu 6 Jun 2019 08:06GMT91热爆 World Service
- Thu 6 Jun 2019 23:06GMT91热爆 World Service
- Sat 8 Jun 2019 13:06GMT91热爆 World Service News Internet
- Sun 9 Jun 2019 14:06GMT91热爆 World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East Asia & South Asia
- Mon 10 Jun 2019 02:06GMT91热爆 World Service UK DAB/Freeview
- Mon 10 Jun 2019 03:06GMT91热爆 World Service Americas and the Caribbean, Online, Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
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Politics, philosophy and faith—The Forum
Ideas, people and events that shaped cities, nations and civilisations
Do you think political or business leaders need to be charismatic? Or do you prefer highly competent but somewhat stern people?
We鈥檇 love to hear your views on charm and charisma for a future Forum.
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The Forum
The programme that explains the present by exploring the past
