
The Barakzai dynasty ruled over Afghanistan from its ascendancy in 1823 until the cessation of the monarchy in 1978. The dynasty's foundation is attributed to Emir Dost Mohammed Khan, who established his rule in Kabul by 1826 after displacing his brother, Sultan Mohammad Khan. Under the Muhammadzai era, Afghanistan was likened to the "Switzerland of Asia" due to its progressive modernity, a period reminiscent of the Pahlavi era's transformation in Iran. This era of reform and development contrasted with the challenges faced by the dynasty, including territorial losses and internal conflicts. Afghanistan's history during Barakzai rule was marked by internal strife and external pressures, evidenced by the Anglo-Afghan wars and a civil war in 1928–29, which tested the dynasty's resilience and shaped the nation's political landscape.
Background
The Barakzai dynasty claim descent to the biblical King Saul,[18] establishing a connection through his grandson, Prince Afghana, who was raised by King Solomon. Prince Afghana, becoming a key figure in Solomon's era, later sought refuge at "Takht-e-Sulaiman," marking the beginning of his descendants' historical journey. In the 37th generation from Prince Afghana, Qais visited the Islamic prophet Muhammad in Medina, converted to Islam, adopting the name Abdul Rashid Pathan, and married a daughter of Khalid bin Walid, further intertwining the lineage with significant Islamic figures. This ancestral lineage led to Sulaiman, also known as "Zirak Khan," considered the progenitor of the Durrani Pashtuns, which include notable tribes such as the Barakzai, Popalzai, and Alakozai. The Barakzai name originates from Sulaiman's son, Barak, with "Barakzai" meaning "children of Barak"[19] thereby establishing the Barakzai's dynastic identity within the broader Pashtun tribal structure.