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Founders: Guru Nanak of Sikhism
Guru has been used informally to mean an
expert in a particular field – financial guru, fitness guru, business guru,
etc. For the Sikhs, however, the word meant something sacred. A guru meant a
spiritual and wise mentor that share his word of Enlightenment. And such the
case of 10 of Sikhism’s Guru which began with its founder Guru Nanak.
The House of Barakzai of Afghanistan - Part 3
Nadir Khan became Nadir Shah after deposing King Amanullah in 1929. Amanullah's downfall came no surprise after the late King imposed rapid reformation of the country striking a strong core of traditionalism of Afghans. Barakzai Kings must then rule country respecting tradition yet maintain a course of reform in a slower and gradual pace or face downfall.
The House of Barakzai of Afghanistan - Part 2
After the Second Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan rebuild under the
leadership fo Abdur Rahman. As the new century came near, new challenges
confronted the Barakzai Dynasty. Other than maintaining peace with imperial powers,
the Barakzai also faced the reality of change – modernization, westernization,
and reformation. They must steer the country towards stable progress against a
backdrop of rigid traditionalism and tribalism.
Afghan troops, 1900's |
What Happened during the First Anglo-Afghan War?
Many great powers had fallen to the quagmire of Afghanistan. The most recent, the United States and NATO found it difficult to stabilize the country and more so during the previous invasion of the country by the Soviet Union in the 20th century. And even prior that century, the British Empire faced difficulty in subduing the Afghan people that began with the First Anglo-Afghan War.