Introduction
The capital of Afghanistan, Kabul is an ancient place with a troubled history. It lies in the eastern part of the country, along the Kabul River. The city occupies an important position on the main routes leading to passes through the country's mountains. The famous Khyber Pass, which leads to Pakistan, is particularly close to Kabul. Because of this the city has faced much conflict throughout its history. Most recently, several wars at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century left much of Kabul in ruins.
Places of interest
Many of Kabul's buildings, markets, and historic sites were destroyed in the fighting that engulfed Afghanistan beginning in the 1980s. Roads, telephones, power stations, and water sanitation facilities were also damaged. In addition, the city's museums lost valuable artwork during the 1990s. The government in power at the time decided to destroy non-Islamic art, including ancient statues and vases. Other artwork was stolen by thieves and soldiers.
Economy
Kabul's economy has suffered extensively because of warfare. International agencies provide some jobs, and foreign aid is vital to the city in providing basic needs to Kabul's residents.
History
Kabul has existed for thousands of years. It has been an important city since ancient times because of its ability to control the nearby mountain passes. In the 1200s, the Mongol invader Genghis Khan attacked the city. From 1504 to 1526, Kabul was the home of the emperor Baber, or Babur, who began the Mughal Empire. Kabul remained under Mughal rule until 1738, when Nader Shah of Iran conquered the city. Afghanistan became an independent country in the 1770s with Kabul as its capital.
Foreign powers continued to be interested in the region, however. Kabul was the scene of fighting during several conflicts with the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After 1978 Kabul was once again faced with fighting when rebel forces who were opposed to the Communist government started a civil war. The Soviet Union soon invaded in order to support the Afghan government. From 1979 to 1989 the Afghan rebels resisted the Soviet Union's occupation of Afghanistan. After Soviet troops left the country in 1989 the fighting continued.
In April 1992, rebel forces captured Kabul, and different groups fought each other for control of the city. In the mid-1990s, a military group called the Taliban began to take over much of the country. The Taliban believed in an extreme form of the religion of Islam. In 1996 the Taliban captured Kabul and controlled most of Afghanistan. The Taliban forced residents to follow strict laws based on their religious beliefs. For example, women had to quit their jobs and leave school. When women walked in public, they had to cover their faces, arms, and legs.
In September 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists who were thought to have ties to the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Within weeks, U.S. forces began bombing Taliban forces and helping anti-Taliban rebels. The Taliban government soon fell. As a result of the fighting, Kabul was heavily damaged. In 2002 the United States and other countries promised to help rebuild the city and support a new Afghan government there. Population (1993 estimate), 700,000.
