Abstract

During the reign of Amir Dost Mohammad Khan, the Shia of Afghanistan had limited relations with the state. Due to the restrictive political, social, and military environment he enforced against them, they were largely excluded from these spheres and experienced a degree of suppression. Nevertheless, under the rule of Amir Sher Ali Khan, they managed to preserve their existing semi-autonomous governance and provided significant services to the Amir's government, aiding his victory over his rivals. During the rule of Amir Mohammad Yaqub Khan, which coincided with the British invasion of Afghanistan, the Shia retained the government positions they previously held and simultaneously played a crucial role in resisting the British invasion. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine the role of the Shia in the struggle against the second and third British invasions of Afghanistan.

This research, conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and library resources, addresses the following question: What was the nature and extent of the Afghan Shia community's resistance against the second and third British invasions of Afghanistan? Despite its significance, this issue has not been scrutinized until now. Therefore, the central question of this research is: What was the position of the Shia of Afghanistan in the struggle against the second and third British invasions? The findings of this study clearly elucidate the details of this matter, revealing both the quality and quantity of the Afghan Shia's role in this anti-colonial movement.