A Political And Diplomatic History of Afghanistan, 1863-1901

Kakar (a former professor of history at Kabul U., Afghanistan) presents an account of Afghanistan's political history from 1863 to 1901, covering the second reign of Amir Sher 'Ali Khan and entire reign of Amir 'Abd al-Rahman Khan, both of which were characterized by major efforts towards centralizing and consolidating state order. The bulk of the political history is concerned with this centralization and consolidation, recounting the conquest and pacification of various principalities ethnicities in particular. Later chapters shift focus to relations with the external world, including the British Government of India, Russia, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

M. Hassan Kakar, Ph.D. (1975) in History, The University of London, was a History Professor at Kabul University in Afghanistan. He has published many works in Pashto and Dari. His books in English includeGovernment and Society in Afghanistan, The Reign of Amir ‘Abd al-Rahman Khan andAfghanistan: The Soviet Invasion and the Afghan Response.