Barakzai dynasty

Barakzai was a Pashtun dynasty in Afghanistan 1826 to 1973.

Since the founding of the country by the dynasty of the Durrani in 1747, the Barakzai had held the office of viziers, as what they gained considerable influence.

The name Afghanistan ( lit. land of Pashtuns ) was introduced in the early 19th century through the Barakzai. Afghan, originally used for Pashto - speakers today means but according to the Constitution of Zahir Shah (1964 ) by citizens of Afghanistan.

At the beginning of the 19th century, were also encountered fierce power struggle with the Durrani, the consequence that the Barakzai were almost exterminated. 1826 but could Dost Mohammed ( 1826-1863 ) prevail in Kabul and establish the dynasty of the Barakzai. After conquering Kandahar Dost Muhammad assumed the title of emir. First, Britain tried to gain control of Afghanistan on the 1st British -Afghan War ( 1839-1842 ). British troops occupied Kabul and Kandahar and brought Shoja Shah Durrani, a member of the former ruling Durrani dynasty, to the throne. Due to an uprising of the Afghan tribes but the British had to withdraw briefly and put Dost Mohammed again. In the period following the unification of Afghanistan was supported by the UK to stop the further advance of Russia and Persia. So, for example, prevented the British the reconquest of Herat by the Persians in 1856.

Under his successor shear Ali Khan (1863-1879) there were repeated battles with other claimants to the throne. But when he leaned increasingly on Russia, it came to the second British - Afghan War ( 1878-1881 ), in which the British shear Ali Khan deposed and Abdur Rahman Khan ( 1880-1901 ) were able to install. However, the British troops had to retreat again because of the renewed Afghan resistance. In order to resist Russian and Persian interests, took place in the following years, a broad reference to the UK, (which India dominated ). This influence was reinforced by the Durand Agreement of 1893: the so-called Durand Line, which was newly established as a border with British India and a large number of Afghan territories under British rule came. Today, this line is an absurdity for many nationalist Afghans because they go through their tribal lands and lands.

Under Amanullah Khan (1919-1929) Afghanistan reached after the third British -Afghan war, its independence and thus its foreign policy space. He sat reforms along the lines of Atatürk and took the 1926 royal title. Against the reforms but made the resistance of the strains expressing the abdication forced Amanullah in 1929. After the riots pacified Mohammed Nadir Shah (1929-1933) the country again and adopted a constitution that transformed Afghanistan into a constitutional monarchy.

The modernization of the country was continued under Zahir Shah (1933-1973), the balanced in its foreign policy between the Soviet Union and the West. However, it came after the independence of Pakistan to tensions between the two states, as Afghanistan claimed dominion over the Pashtun tribes in Pakistan's border region. In July 1973, he was but a coup led by Prime Minister Daoud Khan ( also a member of the Barakzai dynasty ) overthrown. Thus, the monarchy was abolished in Afghanistan.