The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80) first led to a British defeat at Maiwand followed by their victory at the Battle of Kandahar, which led to Abdur Rahman Khan becoming the new emir and the start of friendly British-Afghan relations. The British were given control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs in exchange for protection against the Russians and Persians. The Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 led the British to give up control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs finally in 1921.[4]
Observances
The Taq-e Zafar was built in Paghman to commemorate independence in 1928.
At the centenary anniversary in 2019, some international landmarks hoisted the Afghan flag tricolor, including the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa in Dubai.[5] The day also coincidenced with the completion of the renovation of the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, where official celebrations took place.
On 15 August 2021, the Taliban captured Kabul and reinstated the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.[6] During the Afghan Independence Day rallies in Jalalabad and other cities on 18 and 19 August, the Taliban killed three people and injured over a dozen others for removing Taliban flags and displaying the tricolor Afghan flags.[7][8]
^"The World Factbook: Afghanistan". Central Intelligence Agency. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
^Onley, James (March 2009), "The Raj Reconsidered: British India's Informal Empire and Spheres of Influence in Asia and Africa" (PDF), Asian Affairs, 11 (1): 50
^"War-battered Afghanistan celebrates independence day". Associated Press. 18 September 2000. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
^Watkins, Thomas (17 August 2019). "Afghan palace emerges from ruins in Kabul". Asia Times. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
^"Dubai's Burj Khalifa to showcase Afghanistan flag today".
^"Taliban Reassert 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan'". The New York Times. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021.
^Latifi, Ali M. "Shots fired at Afghan protest against Taliban, 2 reported dead". Al Jazeera.
^"Several reported killed as Taliban shoot at crowds waving Afghan flag". The Guardian. 19 August 2021.