A Afghan Super Power?

Not really a challenge just need some conformation on a line of thought I was going along for an Afghanistan TL. The main point of this thread is to discuss different starting points for this TL, while if you can some other events I could use along the way I will be grateful. My main problem so far is that while I have always held a curiosity about Afghanistan and I've even gone as far as doing some research, I am not as aware of neighbouring nations TL. Any help with relation to how I can use other nations as a way to make this TL is much appreciated.

I think the most likely points for this TL to start is...



  • Before the Islamic invasion of Afghanistan when Afghanistan was actually called Khorasan.
  • 1200, Just before the Afghan region was overrun by the Mongol.
  • 1709, When Mirwais Hotaki started his Revolt against the Persian government.
  • 1713, When Mirwais defeated the second Persian Army end led to the nations independence.
  • 1715, When Mirwais died.
  • 1720, When Mahmud Hotaki attacked Persia.
  • 1722, When Mahmud was acknowledged by Soltan Hossein as the new Shan of Persia.
  • 1725, When Mahmud died.
  • 1738, When Afghan forces were forced out of Persia and conquered by Nader Shan.
  • 1747, When Nader Shan was assinated by his soldiers causing his empire to fall apart. Also importantly the Loyal Jirga (grand council) was held to select the new ruler of Abdali Confederation, that selected Ahmad Shan Durrani.
  • 1761, The Third Battle of Panipat, where the Durrani Empire came to control North Wester India (The Pakistan region). The highest point of the Afghan Power.


Post these points, I'm not sure what points are viable. British India is very strong past this point and will check any nations rise to power. In theory another could be the Great Game but the cultural and infrastructural changes will have to be there before that point for Afghanistan to become a bigger power.

ts

The Height of the Durrani Empire.
 
General problem: Afghanistan is really not a good base for a superpower to be. Maybe its where it all began, but it will become increasingly less "Afghanistan" and increasingly more...whatever course it takes.

This may not be a problem, but it probably bears noting over the long haul.

More specific issue:
The problem with a 1200 POD (addressing the only one in circumstances I know anything about) is the presence - and collapse when the Mongols hit - of the Khwarezm-shahs.

I'm not 100% sure of their borders, but they seem to either include or border Afghanistan.

If they (the Khwarezm-shahs) fail as OTL, that means the Mongols will be in the area, if they succeed...this may be another sort of problem.

What exactly are you looking for when thinking of an Afghan superpower though? A state ruled by a dynasty originally from there? A Greater Afghanistan sort of state?
 
General problem: Afghanistan is really not a good base for a superpower to be. Maybe its where it all began, but it will become increasingly less "Afghanistan" and increasingly more...whatever course it takes.

This may not be a problem, but it probably bears noting over the long haul.

More specific issue:
The problem with a 1200 POD (addressing the only one in circumstances I know anything about) is the presence - and collapse when the Mongols hit - of the Khwarezm-shahs.

I'm not 100% sure of their borders, but they seem to either include or border Afghanistan.

If they (the Khwarezm-shahs) fail as OTL, that means the Mongols will be in the area, if they succeed...this may be another sort of problem.

What exactly are you looking for when thinking of an Afghan superpower though? A state ruled by a dynasty originally from there? A Greater Afghanistan sort of state?

I agree with your argument about 1200 POD. It's my least favourite out of all the points listed. The reason I listed it, is that the repercussions of the Mongol invasion was that the region became depopulated and it effectively forced the any society and government in the region to that of a tribal society, focused around agriculture.

I was planning for a dynasty ruled state or a constitutional monarchy for the most part.

Any Afghan based empire, would move the court to richer places once they're conquered.

Agreed. Kabul has always been a focus point of Afghanistan. In my opinion though for Afghanistan to become a major power it needs access to the sea and stability is helped through trade. I am probably going to shift the capital eventually. Any suggestions?

Hmm maybe if the white huns managed to survive, they might be able to consolidate their grip in Afghanistan which could lead to a much stronger Afghan state

Afghanistan was controlled by the Timurids for a while but the longer the better. I'm assuming the defeat of the Hindu coilition would be the earliest point for the Hephthalite extension. That or instead of moving into India they spear off into Afghanistan. I'm just unsure as to how to deal with the Hephthalite? If I did choose to start there what would be a good POD? Have them slowly disintegrate into Afghanistan or let them be destroyed the Mongols?
 
I agree with your argument about 1200 POD. It's my least favourite out of all the points listed. The reason I listed it, is that the repercussions of the Mongol invasion was that the region became depopulated and it effectively forced the any society and government in the region to that of a tribal society, focused around agriculture.

I was planning for a dynasty ruled state or a constitutional monarchy for the most part.

Well, you could have a scenario where the Mongols do not overrun the area thanks to Jalal ad-din, and an Afghan dynasty rises to form an empire when that line collapses and people fight over the succession.

That's what I'd do if I was using it.
 
The Kushana were, in a sense, an Afghanistan-based great power.
In general, Afghanistan was quite a viable power base for powerful empires whose capital lied within its borders or in the immediate proximity, prior the Mongols (and under them, with the Timurids).
You probably would need a POD where Afghans manage to take the Indus and Oxus valleys, as well as a substantial part of present-day Iran (if not all), so that the imperial center will be and stay in Afghanistan and the Afghans are a good portion of the ruling elite. Early and mid 18th century provide some very interesting chances for such a thing, especially with a ruler willing to modernize the state. An Afghan industrial revolution is highly unlikely but modernization is possible. Of course, ethic Afghans (pashtuns) would be a minority in the empire, but this is hardly going to be a problem: the language of prestige, government, court and most of literature is likely to be Persian (Tajik?) in any case.
For the capital, Kabul and Herat are the best bets, Qandahar and Balkh are possible, Lahore has fair chances if the focus is on India, and Bokhara, or less likely Samarkand o Kokand, if Central Asia is seen as more important.
 
Wasn't the Delhis Sultanate basically ruled by Afghans. Perhaps if the Mughals never rise, or Sher Shah creates a long lasting Pashtun empire in India.
 
Wasn't the Delhis Sultanate basically ruled by Afghans. Perhaps if the Mughals never rise, or Sher Shah creates a long lasting Pashtun empire in India.

The problem there is that, as alluded to earlier in the thread, the Delhi Sultanate had stopped being Afghan in nature some time ago. For that matter the Mughals themselves were based out of Afghanistan at the time they conquered India.
 
Top