Under Amir Abdur Rahman Khan (the "Iron Amir"), Kabul was central to the creation of a centralized, modern state.
The reign of King Amanullah Khan following the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919) brought radical westernization.
: This era saw the first "Afghan women's awakening," including the establishment of the Anjumān-i-ḥimāyat-i-niswān (Society for the Protection of Women) in 1928 and the opening of the first hospital and schools for women in Kabul. 5. Stability and Consolidation (1929–1948) Kabul: A History 1773-1948
This period saw the rise of the Muhammadza’i dynasty and the onset of the "Great Game," where Kabul became a focal point of British and Russian imperial interests.
: The city survived multiple British occupations during the First (1839–1842) and Second (1878–1880) Anglo-Afghan Wars. These conflicts often left the city’s infrastructure in ruins, including the destruction of the Great Bazaar in 1842. Under Amir Abdur Rahman Khan (the "Iron Amir"),
: Amanullah sought to build a "New Kabul" south of the old city, headlined by the Darul Aman Palace , intended as a modern parliament building.
: The move was driven by a need to escape the contentious tribal politics of Kandahar and to better manage territories in India and Central Asia. These conflicts often left the city’s infrastructure in
Following the brief and chaotic rule of Habibullah Kalakani, the Musahiban dynasty (beginning with Nadir Shah) restored order.