Afghanistan in the 1960s (1)
Even in the 60s, this blonde attracted looks in Afghanistan.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (2)
Many wore nice, Western-style clothes in the 60s.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (3)
Afghanistan had a modern military since reforms by King Amanullah Khan in the 1920s.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (4)
A nice car drives through a nice tunnel.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (5)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (6)
Girls and boys in western style universities and schools were encouraged to talk to each other freely.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (7)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (8)
There was also a Girl and Boy Scouts of Afghanistan.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (9)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (10)
Much of Afghan culture retained its traditional dress and style. Even in Kabul, the bazaars remained much the same.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (11)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (12)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (13)
Following World War II, which Afghanistan stayed out of, the Soviets and Americans competed for rights to build Afghan roadways.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (14)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (15)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (16)
Unlike current roads in Afghanistan, roads in the 60s were well kept and generally free of wear and tear.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (17)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (18)
Kids grew up in a safe environment, unafraid of extremist influence.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (19)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (20)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (21)
Signs of prosperity dotted the urban landscape, showing off a solid upper class of Afghanistan.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (22)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (23)
One of a few American schools in Afghanistan shows just how stable the country once was.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (24)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (25)
Fruit markets stayed largely the same, despite all the advancements, and they became a staple of Afghan culture.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (26)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (27)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (28)
Still much of the city maintained its cultural identity through architecture.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (29)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (30)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (31)
Even so, there was much western influence in the newer homes and businesses.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (32)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (33)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (34)
Women weren't required to wear burqas, but some would still cover up by choice.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (35)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (36)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (37)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (38)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (39)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (40)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (41)
Elementary education, even out in the rural areas, was standard. Kids and citizens alike felt opportunity hinged on education.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (42)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (43)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (44)
Nationalism grew, as people identified with the nation rather than with tribes.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (45)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (46)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (47)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (48)
There were movie theaters, libraries, chemistry labs, and on the outskirts of the city, large factories, churning out products.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (49)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (50)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (51)
While urban Afghanistan became modern, rural Afghanistan contained these quaint scenes.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (52)
Afghanistan had a national identity, and national style, despite all the 'western' influence.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (53)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (54)
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (55)
An Afghan fair, complete with a ferris wheel.
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (56)
Yes, both rural and urban, western and south asian, it seemed all of Afghanistan ...
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
Afghanistan in the 1960s (57)
... was on the road to prosperity ... until the wars began ...
Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
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