Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan

Amir Goes to Get Sohrab

2001 BCE

Rahim Khan explained to Amir how Hassan's child, Sohrab, is now an orphan living in Kabul. He wishes for Amir to go back and bring Sohrab to Pakistan for a better life. After much contemplating, Amir realized "a little part of [Hassa] lived on. It was in Kabul" (227). And so Amir left to repay for his wrongdoings to Hassan.

Amir Visits Rahim Khan in Pakistan

2001 BCE

Rahim Khan is very sick and will probably die soon. Knowing this, he "asked [Amir] to come ... [He] wanted to see [him] before [he dies]" (202).

Amir Saves Sohrab from Assef

2001 BCE

Amir goes to rescue Sohrab, and ends up in a one on one fight against Assef for him. Eventually, Sohrab, using his slingshot, freed him and Amir from Assef and the Taliban. They made it "into daylight, [Amir's] arm around Sohrab's shoulder" (291).

Sohrab returns to the US with Amir

2001 BCE

Sohrab, after trying to kill himself, returned with Amir to live in America. In August of 2001, they "arrived home... on a warm day" (357).

9/11

2001 BCE

In September 2001, terrorists of al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial planes and crashed them into major US buildings. In history and The Kite Runner, "the Twin Towers came crumbling down and, overnight, the world changed" (362).

Hassan is Killed

2000 BCE

Shortly after Rahim Khan left Kabul for Pakistan, he received notice that Hassan had been killed by the Taliban. Rahim explained it in detail to Amir that "they took him to the street ... order him to kneel ... and shot him in the back of the head" (219).

Osama bin Laden Believed to be Hiding in Afghanistan

2000 BCE

Considered an international terrorist, bin Laden is believed to be in Afghanistan. The United States demand bin Laden to be handed over to stand trial after embassy bombings.

Hassan's Child is Born

1990 BCE

During Amir's visit to Rahim Khan, Rahim explained how he has been in touch with Hassan over these many year. He told Amir that "In early 1990, [Hassan's wife] became pregnant" (209) with their son Sohrab.

Amir and Soraya Get Married

1986 BCE

Amir and Baba are living in America now, but Baba has recently been sick. Understanding he may not have much time left Baba tells Amir to "ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand" (161).

Baba Dies In His Sleep

1986 BCE

After the wedding, Baba realizes he has done his job. Not taking his pills that night, "Baba never woke up" (173).

Mujahideen Receive Weapons from Pakistan

1986 BCE

The Mujahideen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan.

Millions of Afghans Flee the War

1982 BCE

About 2.8 million Afghans have fled the war to Pakistan. ANother 1.5 million people leave to Iran.

Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan

1981 BCE

Amir and Baba are fleeing Afghanistan for Pakistan due to the violence. Desperate for help, they relied on someone who "owned a fuel truck and had smuggled people with it a couple of times" (121).

Amir Wins Kite Running Tournament

1975 BCE

During the winter, Amir competed against many people from all over in a kite running tournament. After many years of hard work he was finally "throwing [his] free arm around Hassan and [they] were jumping up and down ... 'You won, Amir agha! You won!'" (66).

Hassan is Raped

1975 BCE

After the tournament, Assef and his friends held Hassan in an alley and raped him. Amir, too afraid to help watched "from just around the corner, [hearing] Assef's quick, rhythmic grunts" (77).

Khan Proposes New Constitution

1975 BCE

The constitution grants women more rights and helps modernize the mostly communist state. He also forced many opposers out of the government.

Afghan Communist Party Forms

1965 BCE

The party forms secretly with leaders Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki.

Hassan is Born

1964 BCE

During the winter, in the shack by Amir's house "Hassan was born ... just one year after [Amir's] mother died giving birth to [him]" (4).

Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan Timespan

Period: 1921 BCE to 2014 BCE