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Afghanistan becomes an independent nation
The British are defeated in the Third British-Afghan War which lead to Afghanistan becoming a country -
Period: to
Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
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Afghanistan becomes a monarchy
Amanullah declares Afghanistan a monarchy, rather than an emirate, and proclaims himself king. He launches a series of modernization plans and attempts to limit the power of the Loya Jirga, the National Council. Critics, frustrated by Amanullah’s policies, take up arms in 1928 and by 1929, the king abdicates and leaves the country. -
New King in Afghanistan
Zahir Shah becomes king. The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years. -
Baba was born
While Zahir Shah is in charge, "The police brought the somewhat contrite young men and the dead couple's five-year-old orphan boy before my grandfather..." (24). The orphan was Ali, grandfather was a well respected man and decided to bring in an orphan. Ali became a brother like figure to Baba which made them have a strong bond. -
United States and Afghanistan
The United States formally recognizes Afghanistan. -
Women gets freedom
As part of Daoud’s reforms, women are allowed to attend university and enter the workforce. -
Khan overthrows the last king
Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. -
Hassan in the Hospital
Amir thinks to himself as he remembers, "Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali, and I huddled around Hassan's bed, watched him examine him new lip...Now everyone in that room was either dead or dying" (219). This shows he is one of the fortunate that are still alive or not sick. All the people in his life are disappearing slowly and he is becoming lonely.. -
Women’s rights are granted
Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state. He also cracks down on opponents, forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government -
Winter of peace with Baba
Amir thinks to himself "It was good and I even believed it would last. And Baba believed it too, I think." (87). Amir and Baba had a long time finally getting along. They both started to think their bond would even stick, unlike the other times. -
Hassan runs his last kite
Amir says to himself, ".. I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (55). This is shown as foreshadowing. It tells us that something major is about to happen because Hassan is about to run his last kite. -
Amir turns 13 in the summer
Amir thinks to himself about Baba, "I regret saying it...but I think even if I hadn't, our happy little interlude would have to come to an end" (93). Amir and Baba never had a perfect relationship. Amir had made a comment which broke the peace with him and Baba but even if he didn't, they would still end up where they are today. -
Leader killed
Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the Soviet Union. But a rivalry between Taraki and Hafizullah Amin, another influential communist leader, leads to fighting between the two sides. -
US cuts off assistance
American Ambassador Adolph Dubs is killed. The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan. A power struggle between Taraki and Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin begins. Taraki is killed on Sept. 14 in a confrontation with Amin supporters. -
Baba and Amir adjust to life in America
Amir talks about how "Baba would enlighten me with his politics during those walks with long-winded dissertations" (125). Baba has finally blended into life in America. Unlike when he first arrived, he was lost and didn't know his place in society. -
Baba disgusted by US boycotting the Olympics
Baba says, "Wah wah! [He] exclaimed with disgust" (126). Baba is fitting into America. With him having an opinion, he now could be considered an American. -
Amir and Baba spending time in Peshawar
The taxi driver tells Amir it is "'...terrible what is happening in your country, yar. Afghani people and Pakistani people they are like brothers..." (195). The taxi driver annoys Amir by telling him about his home country and how Muslims have to help other Muslims. He doesn't want to listen more on how the country is falling apart. -
Fled from war
Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas -
Amir Graduates High School
Amir thinks to himself, "Baba's beard was graying, his hair thinning at the temples, and hasn't he been taller in Kabul" (131). Amir graduated late, when he was in his 20 when others were 18 and Baba had been aging. This made Baba very proud that Amir had finally graduated. -
Incident of Baba and the Nguyens
Amir was "... flipping through a worn copy of a Mike Hammer mystery when I hear screaming and glass breaking" (127). Baba is still adjusting to the new social status he is given. Before in Afghanistan, he was a well-respected man, but now in America, he has to start fresh and thinks of the Nguyens asking for his ID is disrespectful. -
Amir goes to Hazarajat in search for Hassan
Amir thinks to himself, "Allah forgive me, was that I was lonely" (203). This is saying "God forgive me" because one of the biggest reasons he has to find Hassan is from his loneliness, not his guilt or want to find him for forgiveness. Amir had no one, all his relatives were killed or escaped his country and the only person he knows is Hassan forcing him to seek him not by want but by need. -
Amir finished his novel
Amir says to himself, "...one August day when I opened our mailbox and found a request from a New York agency from the completed manuscript" (182). One of Amir's biggest accomplishments is his completed novel. After spending so long on his book, he got a request from an agency which is a major achievement. -
Northern Alliance took over Kabul
Rahim tells Amir, "'If you went from the Shar-e-Nau section to Keteh-Parwan to buy a carpet, you risked getting shot bt a sniper'" (199). Rahim Kham tells Amir how Afghanistan isn't what it use to be. It has changed drastically since the government had changed and the Northern Alliance took over. -
Taliban ended daily fights
Amir happily says, "I told you how we all celebrated in 1996 when the Taliban rolled in and out an end to the daily fights" (213). The Taliban both helped and destroyed Afghanistan. They helped end daily fights between citizens but instead, they were the ones who created the new fights which were far more violent. -
Rahim Khan calls Amir
Soraya sees Amir and says, "'You look pale Amir'" (190). Amir receives a surprising call from a sick Rahim Khan who he hasn't spoken to in a very long time and orders Amir to go to Pakistan. Amir has not been to Pakistan since he had moved to America.
