ABSTRACT
Developments in Hazara society during the 1990s are fascinating both from the point of view of the extent and direction of change. This chapter looks at developments in Hazara society during the 1990s in two phases. Phase one will cover the first half of the 1990s, and phase two the period since 1995. There were two reasons why social conditions had never before been predisposed and receptive to the emergence and presence of the Hazaras as a social force. The first was the traditionally tribal structure of politics in Afghanistan. The second factor responsible for change in Hazara community were conditions within Hazara society itself. Leadership in Hazara society, both before the 1890s uprisings and in their aftermath has taken three dimensions: ethnic, religious and political. The first half of the 1990s saw dramatic social and cultural developments in Hazara society, concomitantly with their military and political presence at the heart of the decisive struggles in West Kabul.
