The Emirate of Afghanistan was an unrecognized state ruled by the Saqqawists that existed from January to October 1929. Habibullāh Kalakāni became the state's only emir on 18 January 1929.[2] After the fall of Kalakāni on 13 October 1929, the Emirate ended.
The emirate emerged during the Afghan Civil War of 1928–1929, a conflict between Saqqawist forces led by Habibullāh Kalakāni and opposing tribes and monarchs within Afghanistan. After early Saqqawist victories, the capture of Kabul in January 1929 marked the establishment of the Saqqawist emirate. Habibullāh Kalakāni's rule, known as the Saqqawist period, was marked by social unrest and military engagements. Eventually, Mohammed Nādir Khān captured Kabul on 13 October 1929 and disestablished the emirate. The war's aftermath saw Nadir Khan ascend to the throne and the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Afghanistan. Later Saqqawist attempts at resurgence, such as Purdil Khan's rebellion in Kuhistan, were swiftly crushed, and the last holdout, Herat, fell in 1931.[citation needed]
Administrative divisions
Provinces of Afghanistan in 1929.
By 1929, Afghanistan had 9 provinces, consisting of 5 major provinces (wilayats) and 4 minor provinces (Hukumat-i Alas).[4]
Although these provinces were de jure all part of the emirate, in practice the Saqqawist territories were in a constant state of flux, and never encompassed the entire country. In particular, the Saqqawists never penetrated into the Farah or Meymaneh provinces.
Government
Top-level decision-making essentially fell to two individuals: Habibullāh Kalakāni, the leader of the Saqqawists, and his partner and virtual equal in matters of government, Sayyid Husayn.[5]
Officeholders
After taking over Kabul, Kalakāni appointed a number of people into office, including:[6]
Shayr Jan, former cavalry commander, as Minister of Court.
Ata al-Haqq as foreign minister.
Abd al-Ghafur Khan, son of Muhammad Shah Tarabi of the Safi tribe, as Minister of the interior.
Malik Muhsin as governor-general of the Central Province.
Once in power, the Saqqawists abolished conscription and taxation, and closed down schools.[7]
On 9 May 1929, Kalakāni passed a decree in Kabul which forbade citizens of Kabul from moving out of the city without permission, even into the government-controlled Bandar-i Arghandah, Charasya, Bini Hisar, Butkhak, Kutal-i Pay Manar, Kutal-i Khayr Khanah, Maydan, Jalriz, Logar, Khurd Kabul, Tangi Gharu or Dih Sabz.[8]
Economy
For a while, Kalakāni relied on the royal treasury to pay his army, without levying taxes. However, when the treasury ran out, taxation was reinstated in order to cover the expenses of his army. Revenue was also collected by forcing wealthy Tajik merchants to contribute to his treasury.[7]
The Saqqawists maintained a military during their period of control. On 14 April 1929, Fayz Muhammad estimated the Saqqawists to number 20,000.[9]
Culture
The Saqqawist government celebrated Afghan Independence Day for five days (instead of the usual eight) starting on 19 August 1929. Kalakani spent 60,000 Afghan rupees on the celebrations, and hoped he could use the occasion to try to win over the Afghan populace. Kalakani gave a speech on 19 August – the contents of the speech are unknown, but Fayz Muhammed remarked that Kalakani "stood there telling lie after lie about the way things really were."[10]
Despite taking control of Kabul, the Saqqawist government of Afghanistan was unable to obtain any diplomatic recognition.[11] Nonetheless, the Saqqawists allied themselves with the Basmachi movement, allowing them to operate in Northern Afghanistan. and revoking the "Pact of Neutrality and Non-Aggression" that Afghanistan had signed with the Soviet Union following the end of the Urtatagai conflict, which obligated Afghanistan to restrain Basmachi border raids.[12]
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