Ghaus Siwani/ New Delhi

What will be the future of the country after the defeat of the world super powers at the hands of the Taliban and the withdrawal of the US and allied forces?

The rest of the world is trying to find an answer to this question.

Currently, the ruling Taliban has announced the adoption of an Islamic system of government for Afghanistan.

Since the majority of the country is made up of Muslims and Islam has been a part of popular traditions, this announcement doesn't come as a surprise.

However, if we look through the windows of history, we realize that the past of Afghanistan has been related to Buddhism. 

Geography of Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been a transit point for world powers for centuries.

That is why its population is of mixed races. While the majority of the country's population is Pakhtun, there are also Uzbeks of Iranian descent, Tajiks of Turkish descent, and Hazaras of Chinese descent.

Afghanistan is geographically a home to many countries but does not have beaches.

Its maritime trade is through Pakistan. Most of its territory is located at the foot of the upper reaches of the mountain ranges.

There are four rivers, but there is a severe shortage of water, the land is dry and barren, much of it is uncultivable.

Near about 100 percent of Afghanistan's population is Muslim. Ninety percent of them are Sunnis.

Non Muslims mainly Sikhs and Hindus are a miniscule minority.

Buddhists are hard to find here, but many would be surprised to know that in the past this region was the center of Buddhism and before Islam, the people of Afghanistan were followers of the same religion. Some people were also followers of tribal religions.

History of Afghanistan

Afghanistan's history spans a thousands years. Archaeological remains have revealed that even 50,000 years ago, there was a human population and agriculture on a large scale.

Historical references show that the Aryans conquered it in 2000 BC.

It was then occupied by the Iranians, and then later Alexander the Great occupied it.

Afghanistan's border is with China, so Chinese intruders have always been coming here.

That is why a section of Afghanistan belongs to the Mongol race. 

The practice of Buddhism began in Afghanistan around five centuries BC and gradually the whole country came under the influence of Gautama Buddha's teachings.

Buddhist monasteries were built all over the country, the number of Turks in the world increased and statues of Gautama Buddha were installed in various places. One of the most famous ancient Buddhist monasteries is located near the city of Balkh and present-day Mazar-e-Sharif.

In the later centuries, Buddhism flourished in the region and other monasteries were built.

A monastery was also built in Balkh, which later gained international fame. It was said that here were the teeth of Gautama Buddha who were visited by pilgrims from far and wide. A similar monastery was built near present day Jalalabad, which was named Nagar Vihar.

The Bamyan Valley

Buddhism has deep roots in the Bamiyan Valley of the Hindu Kush Mountains, where a huge statue of Gautama Buddha was erected between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD. The aim was to portray Gautama Buddha as a supernatural figure.

In 360 BC, the Mauryan Empire of India had reached Afghanistan and Ashoka was the king of the same government who ruled from 7th to 8th century BC.

Ashoka converted to Buddhism and became a preacher and supporter of that ideology.

He had "Ashoka's Pillars" built in Afghanistan as well, on which the principles of Buddhism were inscribed.

Even in Kashmir, Buddhism was predominant till the spread of Islam. In addition, there were a significant number of Shiites.

The center of Gandharaki civilization was in Afghanistan and some parts of present day Pakistan.

While this civilization is known for its art and stone carvings, it is also known for adopting the teachings of Gautama Buddha.

Afghanistan has been a global center of Buddhism, and for almost a thousand years the teachings of Buddhism have been widespread in other parts of the world.

From here, Buddhism spread to all the countries of Central Asia. There was even a time in the Arab world when there were Buddhists who were called "Hamra" because of their pajamas.

Advent of Islam

According to historical evidence, in 642, the Muslims conquered the territory of Afghanistan, but they did not take the government into their own hands, but made the local people the rulers.

Since then, the spread of Islam has increased. Since then, different sections of Muslims have ruled.

At one time, Afghanistan and India were under the same government that was operated from Delhi.