On 8 August 1919, in Rawalpindi, the United Kingdom and Afghanistan sign the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 (Treaty of Rawalpindi) — the instrument ending the Third Anglo-Afghan War and recognising Afghanistan’s independence in foreign policy.

The treaty ends British control over Afghan diplomacy, in exchange for border arrangements and a cessation of hostilities after the 1919 offensive.

Signed amid postwar unrest in British India and Amanullah Khan’s modernisation, it marks Afghanistan’s formal sovereignty.

It was followed by later treaties (1921) detailing bilateral relations.

For Central Asia, 8 August 1919 marks recognition of Afghan independence from the British Empire.

The text is documented in British archives / treaty collections.

The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 8 August 1919 remains the milestone of Afghanistan’s diplomatic independence.

Image: Afghanistan; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919. Treaty text: Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 (text).