The Lasting Imprint Of Turbulent Times In *The Kite Runner*

Afghanistan has changed forever in Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, in several ways. The story is set against the backdrop of 20th-century Afghan history, from the 1970s to 2002, a time of great political upheaval and violence in the country. The novel begins during the final months of Afghanistan's monarchy under Mohammed Zahir Shah, who is overthrown in a coup in 1973. This is a significant moment in the novel, as it marks the end of a way of life and the beginning of a violent and tumultuous period in Afghanistan's history. The country then experiences a communist coup in 1978, followed by a Soviet invasion in 1979, leading to a decade-long Soviet-Afghan War. During this time, over four million Afghans fled the country, including the novel's protagonist, Amir, and his father, Baba. The Soviet withdrawal in 1989 is followed by civil war and the rise of the Taliban, who take control of Kabul in 1996. The Taliban impose strict fundamentalist laws and commit atrocities against certain ethnic groups, such as the Hazaras. The novel ends in 2002, with a provisional government in place, but the country remains dangerous and unstable. Throughout the novel, Afghanistan is depicted as a country ravaged by war and conflict, with deep social and political divisions that have had a devastating impact on its people.

The Taliban takeover of Kabul in 1996

The Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 1996 was the culmination of a series of events that began with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The Soviet-Afghan War ended in 1989, but the country remained under the control of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) until 1992, when the mujahedin finally won Afghanistan and converted it to an Islamic State.

The years following the Soviet withdrawal were marked by infighting among rival militias, making everyday life in Afghanistan unsafe. In 1996, the Taliban, a group of Pashtun supremacists, seized control of Kabul and almost complete control of the country. The Taliban's initial reception was warm, as they brought an end to the daily fighting. However, they soon made life in Afghanistan dangerous again by enacting fundamentalist laws and committing massacres against Shiites, including the Hazara people.

The Taliban's rule was characterised by a strict interpretation of Sharia law, which resulted in brutal treatment of many Afghans. Women were banned from working and receiving an education, and were required to wear head-to-toe coverings when outside their homes. Music, television, and non-Islamic holidays were also banned. The Taliban also committed a cultural genocide against the Afghan people by destroying historical and cultural texts, artifacts, and sculptures.

The Taliban's harsh enforcement of their interpretation of Islamic law and their brutal treatment of Afghans led to international condemnation. In 2001, following the September 11 attacks orchestrated by al-Qaeda, the United States invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban régime.

The rise of the Taliban and their fundamentalist views

The Taliban is an Islamic fundamentalist group that follows a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The group is predominantly Pashtun and draws its ideology from Pashtun nationalism and Deobandi Islam. The Taliban's rise to power in Afghanistan can be attributed to several factors, including the power vacuum left by the Soviet withdrawal, the failure of the Mujahideen to establish a stable government, and the support they received from Pakistan.

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law is harsh and has been widely condemned for its treatment of women and religious and ethnic minorities. They have banned girls from attending school and prohibited women from working, with the exception of the healthcare sector. The Taliban have also committed massacres and conducted a policy of scorched earth, burning vast areas of fertile land and destroying homes.

The Taliban's rise to power can be traced back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The Soviets sought to quash a growing Islamic and nationalist resistance movement known as the Mujahideen. However, the Soviets' attempt to impose changes by military force and their campaign of terror against rival groups generated revolts across the country. The Afghan army began to disintegrate, and the Soviets stepped in to prevent a power vacuum.

Following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, Afghanistan was plunged into civil war as rival Mujahideen factions fought for control. This period was marked by warlordism, lawlessness, and the disintegration of the state. It was during this time of chaos and instability that the Taliban emerged as a promising force for law and order.

The Taliban first appeared in Kandahar in 1994 and quickly gained popularity by stamping out corruption and curbing lawlessness. They were initially supported by Pakistan, which saw them as a favourable ruling power in Afghanistan. The Taliban's promise to rid Afghanistan of warlords and criminals resonated with the Afghan people, who had endured years of conflict and instability.

By 1996, the Taliban had seized control of Kabul and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. They imposed their strict interpretation of Sharia law, banning music, television, and most forms of art. The Taliban's rule was marked by oppression and brutality, with public whippings and executions becoming common.

The Taliban's harsh enforcement of their interpretation of Islamic law and their treatment of women have drawn international condemnation. They have been accused of committing massacres, denying emergency food aid, and conducting a policy of scorched earth. The Taliban's rule has had a devastating impact on Afghanistan, leaving the country in ruins and its people traumatized.

The banning of kite flying

Kite flying is a national sport in Afghanistan, with people engaging in the activity for over 100 years. The best season for kite flying is during the autumn season because of the good winds. Kite flying is a favourite sport that brings joy and smiles to many people; however, it can sometimes be dangerous too.

In 1996, the Taliban banned kite flying, along with other hobbies, deeming them un-Islamic. Kite flying was illegal for several years, but after the collapse of the Taliban government, it has become legal again.

Kite flying is a dangerous sport, with many people getting injured on rooftops by chasing free kites or losing focus during a heated battle and forgetting about the ground. The strings of the kites are coated with glass particles, which can cut the fingers of those holding them.

Kite flying is an important part of Afghan culture, with Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, exploring life under the Taliban and the protagonist's experience with kite flying.

The country's socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities

Afghanistan's socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities are central to the plot of *The Kite Runner*. The country's history of ethnic conflict and socioeconomic inequality is explored through the complex relationship between the novel's main characters, Amir and Hassan, who are from different socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnic groups.

Amir is Pashtun, Sunni, wealthy, and literate, while Hassan is Hazara, Shia, poor, and illiterate. Their families also have different socioeconomic statuses: Amir's father, Baba, is wealthy and owns a beautiful house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul. In contrast, Hassan's family works as servants for Amir's family and lives in relative poverty. This socioeconomic inequality is reflected in the wider Afghan society, where most of the upper class comes from the royal tribal clan, while the lower class comprises ethnic groups like Hassan's family.

The ethnic inequality and conflict between Pashtuns and Hazaras are also significant in the novel. Historically, the Hazaras were the most oppressed ethnic group in Afghanistan, facing discrimination, violence, and enslavement at the hands of the Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic group and historical ruling community. In the novel, Amir and Hassan's friendship is tested by these ethnic tensions, and Amir ultimately betrays Hassan due to his internalised prejudice and the societal expectations to uphold Pashtun superiority.

The novel also explores how Afghanistan's socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities are impacted by political events and foreign interventions. The rise of the Taliban, a Pashtun-based group, to power further exacerbates the country's inequalities. The Taliban impose fundamentalist laws that restrict women's rights and ban activities like kite flying, which was previously a beloved pastime for Afghans of all social classes. The Taliban's rule also results in ethnic cleansing and the massacre of minority ethnic groups, particularly the Hazaras.

Overall, *The Kite Runner* provides a nuanced portrayal of Afghanistan's socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities, highlighting the complex interplay between history, politics, and cultural traditions that shape the country's social landscape.

The violent political instability of the 1970s

The Kite Runner, set in Afghanistan from the 1970s to 2002, reflects on the country's tumultuous political history during this period. The novel begins in 1973, when Afghanistan was a monarchy ruled by King Zahir Shah. This period of relative peace and prosperity was soon marred by political instability and violence, which would mark the beginning of a dark era in Afghanistan's history that continues to this day.

On July 17, 1973, while the king was on vacation, his cousin and former Prime Minister, Mohammad Daoud Khan, seized power in a nearly bloodless military coup. This event, described in the novel as a "bloodless coup," marked the end of the monarchy and the start of a violent and tumultuous period in Afghanistan's history. The people of Kabul experienced rioting and shooting in the streets, and the main character, Amir, describes hearing the sound of gunfire, which "roared like thunder" outside his house.

For six years, Mohammad Daoud Khan ruled as President and Prime Minister of Afghanistan. This period saw some positive changes, including a temporary sense of rejuvenation in the economy, technological developments, and advancements in women's rights. However, this stability was short-lived.

On April 27, 1978, Daoud Khan was violently overthrown by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), a Communist party with close ties to the Soviet Union. This event marked the beginning of a violent communist coup that would lead to even more bloodshed and instability. Daoud was killed along with most of his family, and the country was plunged into chaos.

The PDPA instituted radical political and social reforms, including the abolition of religious and traditional customs. These reforms angered many Afghans who valued their traditional and religious laws. As a result, various factions began to challenge the government, leading to a decade-long Soviet occupation starting in 1979. The Soviet Army's presence further exacerbated the violence and instability in the country.

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