Afghan War Rug

Name: Afghan War Rug
Brand: SIEZ Gallery
Price: 250.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

£250.00 GBP

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This stirring War Rug recounts the events that make up Afghanistan's modern history. Guns, rocket launchers and bombs are clearly rendered across the face of the rug, whilst tanks and helicopters fill the deep red map, perhaps symbolising how these machines once engulfed every corner of the country.

One of the most interesting features of this piece is the sentence on the top right. It is written in the Dari language, and translates to something along the lines of 'Soviet forces in Afghanistan.' This matches up with the 'USSR' inscription to indicate that this war rug is depicting the Soviet invasion of the late 20th century.

However, the year 2002 can also be seen directly below it. This is significant because it tells us that this rug was most likely made a year after the US-led invasion and the subsequent 'War on Terrorism.' It marked the start of yet another conflict between rebel forces and foreign military powers, and ultimately shows how rugs like this remain just as poignant now as when they were first created.

History

Afghanistan has experienced a long and complex modern history, marked by both progress and conflict. In the early 20th century, the nation gained independence from British India in 1919, and embarked on a path towards modernisation through a series of western-style reforms. However, decades of internal tension eventually culminated in a military coup in 1973 and a subsequent communist revolution. These events led to the Soviet-Afghan War of 1979-1989, where at least 600,000 civilians were killed. It was during this period when the first War Rugs emerged, as Afghan refugees used their traditional weaving skills to earn a living and to document the world around them.

The 1990s in Afghanistan were defined by continued instability. Rival factions struggled for control, and the ensuing unrest paved the way for the rise of the Taliban - a movement of religious students who sought to enforce strict interpretations of Islamic law. In 2001, the US and its allies launched a military intervention after the Taliban refused to hand over members of al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The conflict continued for two decades, before formally ending in 2021 with the withdrawal of international forces. Many of the War Rugs produced during this time reflect these more recent events, serving as poignant records of resilience and the profound impact of war.