Third Anglo-Afghan War and Independence

Among Amanollah's first acts was to launch a war with England when it was weak from WWI and Indian revolts, in what was called the "Third Anglo-Afghan War". Afghanistan established an alliance with the Soviet Union, singing a treaty of friendship, before pouncing on the English army and driving it from Afghanistan .

Victory arch in Paghman (Victory arch 1920)

King Amanullas First Speech after Victory Over ENGLANG

Amanullah attacked the British in May 1919 in two thrusts, taking them by surprise. Afghan forces achieved Fully success .

The military skirmishes soon ended in a stalemate as the British recovered from their initial surprise. Britain virtually dictated the terms of the 1919 Rawalpindi Agreement, a temporary armistice that provided, somewhat ambiguously, for Afghan self-determination in foreign affairs. Before final negotiations were concluded in 1921, however, Afghanistan had already begun to establish its own foreign policy, including diplomatic relations with the new government in the Soviet Union in 1919. During the 1920s, Afghanistan established diplomatic relations with most major countries, and Amanullah became king in 1923 .

Source:Iran National Library