See how Afghanistan looked like before the Taliban ever came to power

The war-torn Afghanistan was once peaceful where women could freely roam around the streets in dresses. Afghanistan as seen in William Podlich's photographs is almost unrecognisable.

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IndiaToday.in
New Delhi
August 19, 2021
UPDATED: August 19, 2021 19:55 IST
William Podlich's daughters Jan (left) and Peg at Paghman Gardens in Kabul. (Photo: William Podlich)

The Taliban emerged in 1994 around the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. It originally drew members from so-called “mujahideen” fighters who, with support from the United States, repelled Soviet forces in the 1980s.

Within the space of two years, the Taliban had gained sole control over most of the country, proclaiming an Islamic emirate in 1996 with a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban enforced a strict version of Sharia law. Women were predominantly barred from working or studying, and were confined to their homes unless accompanied by a male guardian.

The US invaded Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, which had been planned and carried out by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida while it was sheltering under Taliban rule.

The war-torn Afghanistan was once peaceful before the Taliban's first takeover. A country where women -- Afghans and foreigners -- could freely roam around the streets in dresses.

Read: The rise, fall and rise of Taliban

Afghanistan in William Podlich's photographs is almost unrecognisable. Scroll down to see more:

(Images and captions have been sourced from www.rferl.org)

1Afghan girls attended school

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Afghan schoolgirls return home after attending school, which was later banned by the Taliban. (Photo: William Podlich)

2Women could roam around freely

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William Podlich's daughters Jan (left) and Peg at Paghman Gardens in Kabul. (Photo: William Podlich)

3Women and men travelled together

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Peg Podlich (in sunglasses) during a family trip from Kabul to Pakistan. (Photo: William Podlich)

4Peaceful place for tourists

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Jan Podlich during a shopping trip to Istalif, a village in Kabul. (Photo: William Podlich)

5Bustling capital of cars

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Peg and Jan Podlich attended the American International School in Kabul. According to Peg, there were around 250 students in the school in 1967-68, with 18 graduating seniors. (Photo: William Podlich)

6'Times were more gentle back then'

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Peg Podlich says that though there were cultural differences between Arizona and Afghanistan, she had a very interesting experience. "People always seemed friendly and helpful. Times were more gentle back then," she was quoted as saying by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. (Photo: William Podlich)

7Co-education was normal

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Boys and girls studied in the same classroom in Afghanistan. (Photo: William Podlich)

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