Young Afghans

Young Afghans

 

the participants in a national patriotic movement in Afghanistan that sprang up in the early 20th century and became active under the influence of the Revolution of 1905–07 in Russia. One of the movement’s major thinkers was M. Tarzi. The Young Afghans called for national independence, limitations on the power of the emir, expansion of secular education and development of national industry and trade.

In 1919 the Young Afghans, headed by Amanullah Khan, came to power as the leaders in the struggle against the British colonialists; they implemented a series of reforms during 1919–28. The Young Afghans were overthrown by an uprising led by Bacha-i Sagao in 1929.