History of Pakistan

  • 327 BCE

    Alexander the Great Invades

    Alexander the Great Invades
    Alexander the Great invades the Swat valley on his way from Afghanistan to the Indus. At this time, Swat is a Hindu/Buddhist kingdom.
  • 200

    Buddhist Kingdom

    Buddhist Kingdom
    Swat is a Buddhist kingdom with over 1400 monasteries scattered throughout its lands
  • 1000

    Mahmud of Ghazni Invades

    Mahmud of Ghazni Invades
    Mahmud of Ghazni invades Swat from Afghanistan, bringing the Islamic religion with him.
  • 1500

    Yousafzai Tribes Take Over Swat

    Yousafzai Tribes Take Over Swat
    The Yousafzai Tribes seize control of the Swat Valley, forcing the other tribes out. Each tribe is ruled by a khan, and the tribes are constantly feuding.
  • Khushal Khan Khattak

    Khushal Khan Khattak
    Khushal Khan Khattak tries to unify all Pashtun tribes against invading Moghul forces
  • Malalai of Maiwand

    Malalai of Maiwand
    Malalai of Maiwand inspires her tribe to turn the tide in a battle against invading British forces in a devastating defeat. Malalai is killed in the crossfire during the battle.
  • A King Is Chosen

    A King Is Chosen
    To end the bloodshed of ongoing feuds, the Yousufzai chiefs settle on Miangul Abdul Wadood as their king.
  • Miangul Abdul Wadood Installed as Wali

    Miangul Abdul Wadood Installed as Wali
    Miangul Abdul Wadood is recognized by Britain as Swat's head of state and is installed as wali.
  • Britain Grants India and Swat Independence

    Britain Grants India and Swat Independence
    Britain grants India independence and Swat becomes a territory of Pakistan, but remains autonomous and is ruled by the wali.
  • Miangul Abdul Waddod Abdicates

    Miangul Abdul Waddod Abdicates
    Miangul Abdul Wadood abdicates power to his eldest son, Miangul Abdul Haq Jehanzeb, sparking the beginning of Pakistan's Golden Age.
  • Period: to

    Pakistan's Golden Age

    Pakistan's Golden Era, during which Miangul Abdul Haq Jehanzeb ends the system of khans and taxes in Swat
  • Swat Officially Joins Pakistan

    Swat Officially Joins Pakistan
    The wali gives up power and Swat becomes part of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province.
  • General Zia Siezes Power

    General Zia Siezes Power
    General Zia engages in a military coup and seizes power of Pakistan. The elected Prime Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, is later tried for treason and hanged in Rawalpindi jail.
  • Islamization of Pakistan Begins

    Islamization of Pakistan Begins
    General Zia begins the Islamization of Pakistan
  • Soviet Union invades Afghanistan

    Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
    The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, sparking outrage in many Arab countries, including Pakistan.
  • Period: to

    Jihad Against the Soviet Union

    The Soviet Union occupies territories in Afghanistan, attempting to spread communism. Arab Nations engage in an ongoing jihad against the Soviet Union.
  • "The Satan Verses" is Published

    "The Satan Verses" is Published
    British author, Salman Rushdie, publishes "The Satanic Verses" mocking Islamic prophet Muhammad. The book is met with public outcry in many Arab and Islamic countries.
  • First Female Prime Minister

    First Female Prime Minister
    Benazir Bhutto is elected the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, the first female leader in the Arab world.
  • Islamabad Demonstrations

    Islamabad Demonstrations
    American flags are burned in Islamabad in protest of "The Satanic Verses" (written by a British author). Police Fire on the crowd, killing 5 people.
  • Fatwa Issued Against Salman Rushdie

    Fatwa Issued Against Salman Rushdie
    The supreme leader of Iran issues a fatwa, calling for the assassination of the author of "The Satanic Verses"
  • Soviet Union Recalls Troops

    Soviet Union Recalls Troops
    The Soviet Union officially recalls its troops from Afghanistan.
  • Pakistan's 50th Anniversary

    Pakistan's 50th Anniversary
    Pakistan's 50th Anniversary. There are parades and celebrations, but also protests in which one of Malala's father's friends is arrested
  • 9/11

    9/11
    Al-Queda terrorists hijack a series of planes, flying 2 of them into the world trade center buildings (the twin towers) in New York City. According to Malala, this event brings war into Pakistan.