-Introduction
-Pre-Soviet History
-Pashtun People
-Soviet Invasion
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It is necessary to understand the history of Afghanistan in order to appreciate the conflicts that have taken place over this land and the difficulties that have been added to the daily life of the people.

Afghanistan's early history is most notably influenced by the trade routes between India, and middle-eastern states like present day Iran. Several powerful rulers conquered the lands beginning with King Darius I of Persia around 500B.C. Alexander the Great also conquered what is now Afghanistan around 328 B.C. while moving to conquer India. After Alexander the Great's death in 232 B.C., the Afghan countryside was split and ruled by several groups over the centuries until the Muslim's launched a conquest over Afghanistan in the seventh century.

The Muslims controlled the country during a series of brief dynasties. The city of Kabul was used in the 16th. century to launch the conquest of India and ultimately form the Mughal empire. A Persian named Nadir Shah ruled over Afghanistan in the 18th century, until his death in 1747. His lieutenant, an Afghan tribal leader united territories that cover most of what is present-day Afghanistan. His dynasty, the Durrani, ended in 1818.

Afghanistan had no direct ruling authority until 1826. British interests in Afghanistan ultimately led to two wars over access to trade and transportation routes. A third war ultimately lead to Afghanistan's freedom to conduct it's own foreign affairs in 1919.

Several leaders attempted to modernize Afghanistan beginning in 1926. These attempts included relaxing restrictions on women and reducing the influence of religion on government activities. One leader was deposed, another was assassinated, and Afghanistan remained culturally restricted. Afghanistan stayed neutral in World War II and became a member of the United Nations in 1946.

Afghanistan became involved in the partitioning of British India in 1947. Afghanistan wanted the Pathan people of Indian to be able to choose between belonging to Pakistan, Afghanistan, or building their own independent state. Their argument was based on the fact that the Pathans were Afghan Pashtuns separated from their people by an earlier political agreement. The issue of creating a Pathan state came and went throughout the 1950's and 60's. It arose again in 1972 when Pakistan lost what is now Bangladesh.

It is believed that the Afghan Girl was born in this period of time between 1972 and 1974. There are no hospital records or government documents in Afghanistan to help identify a date of birth.

Afghanistan remained neutral in the struggle for power between the US and the USSR until late the late 1970's when communists made a move for control the country. An invasion by the Soviet Union followed the placement of communist controlled leaders shortly thereafter.