Kabul
Kabul is the capital city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province. The city is divided for administration into 22 municipal districts. In 2023 its population was estimated to be 4.95 million people. In contemporary times, Kabul has served as Afghanistan's political, cultural and economical center. Rapid urbanisation has made it the country's primate city and the 75th-largest city in the world.
Some of the key events about Kabul
- 1776The city became the capital of the Durrani Empire
- 1842British forces suffered a devastating defeat during their retreat from Kabul in the First Anglo-Afghan War
- 1878The first telegraph line was established, connecting Kabul to British India
- 1879The British embassy was attacked and its residents massacred during the Second Anglo-Afghan War
- 1919Afghanistan gained independence from British influence, with Kabul as its capital
- 1929Civil war erupted in Kabul, leading to the overthrow of King Amanullah Khan
- 1933Kabul University, the country's first modern university, was founded
- 1960The first international airport in Afghanistan opened in Kabul
- 1978The National Museum of Afghanistan was established in Kabul
- 1978A communist coup known as the Saur Revolution overthrew the government, leading to decades of conflict
- 1979The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, beginning a nine-year occupation
- 1992Kabul was heavily damaged by rocket attacks during factional fighting following the collapse of the communist government
- 1996The Taliban captured Kabul, imposing strict Islamic rule and restrictions on personal freedoms
- 2001The city was liberated from Taliban rule, leading to significant reconstruction efforts
- 2001U.S.-led forces bombed Kabul as part of the campaign to overthrow the Taliban regime
- 2004The new Constitution of Afghanistan was ratified in Kabul
- 2006The American University of Afghanistan opened its doors in Kabul
- 2008The Indian Embassy in Kabul was bombed, killing over 50 people
- 2011The first rail service in Afghanistan's history began operation, connecting Kabul to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif
- 2021Kabul fell to Taliban forces, marking the end of the Western-backed Afghan government
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.
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