STATE AND RELIGION IN AFGHANISTAN: STRUGGLE FOR INDEPNDENCE (1800–1919)

The article updates the term “Islam factor” regarding Afghanistan statehood. The author traces the impact of Islam factor in the development of Afghanistan, governmental structure and international relationships between Afghanistan and third parties. New historical sources were used by the author including the archival materials. The article accumulates the analysis of a range of Russian, Soviet and international sources that highlights the complex approach to the research. It is the first attempt to characterize the Islam in the framework of statehood development in Afghanistan.