ABSTRACT
A thorough comprehension of the development of modern education in Afghanistan since 1901 to the current date requires the location of education policies, developments, and programmes within the broader international as well as national political and historical contexts from the late nineteenth century onwards. The British and the Tsarist Russia's (hereafter,Russia) domination and quest for expanding their power into South and Central Asia in the nineteenth century respectively had a profound influence on Afghanistan's domestic politics until today. Britain and Russia competed for expansion of political influence and seizure of independent countries. Russia overthrew the independent states and khanates in Central Asia, whereas Britain expanded her power over the independent states and tribes in northern parts of India and southern parts of Afghanistan. The race of colonisation and interference in the affairs of the countries in the region became known as the ‘Great Game’. As shall be discussed and analysed in detail, after Britain failed to occupy Afghanistan in the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80), and Russia fought a costly war against Turkey in 1878, political tension between both powers ceased and they were happy to transform and maintain Afghanistan as a buffer state. This was facilitated with the British enthronement and recognition of Abdur Rahman as the Amir of Kabul in July 1880 which marked a turning point in Afghanistan's modern history. These and subsequent political events changed the course of history in Afghanistan until today. It is, therefore, imperative to analyse how international historical and political context influenced the country's national and political context within which modern education emerged, developed and was influenced. This contextualisation is absolutely necessary for comprehending the history of the country, the key factors that influenced the country's national policies, educational development, and the legacies that continue to shape Afghanistan's current and future developments, including education. This chapter presents an analytical survey of the international political and historical context and its influence on Afghanistan's national politics since the late nineteenth to the beginning of the twenty-first centuries. It also aims to set up the wider context that would help readers to develop a better understanding of the recent history of the country, and the development of its modern education throughout the twentieth and the beginning of the twenty-first centuries.
