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GALLERY: Incredible photos of Afghanistan before the wars

Dr Bill Podlich took hundreds of photos while working with UNESCO in 1967 and 1968. Here’s what he saw.

16/02/13 22,534 Views 62 Comments

BEFORE THE AMERICAN invasion, before the Russian war, and before the Marxist revolution, Afghanistan used to be a pretty nice place.

An astonishing collection of photos from the 1960s was recently featured by the Denver Post.

Amateur photographer, and college professor, Dr. William Podlich took a leave of absence from his job at Arizona State to work with UNESCO in Kabul, bringing his wife and daughters with him.

Later, son-in-law Clayton Esterson revived the later doctor’s photos and put them on the web.

The response was amazing. Esterson told the Denver Post:

Many Afghans have written comments [on our website] showing their appreciation for the photographs that show what their country was like before 33 years of war. This makes the effort to digitize and restore these photographs worthwhile.

Esterson has kindly given us permission to reproduce Dr Podlich’s photographs here on TheJournal.ie.

GALLERY: Incredible photos of Afghanistan before the wars
1 / 57

  • 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.
  • Even in the 60s, this blonde attracted looks in Afghanistan. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Many wore nice, Western-style clothes in the 60s. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Afghanistan had a modern military since reforms by King Amanullah Khan in the 1920s. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • A nice car drives through a nice tunnel. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Girls and boys in western style universities and schools were encouraged to talk to each other freely. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • There was also a Girl and Boy Scouts of Afghanistan. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Much of Afghan culture retained its traditional dress and style. Even in Kabul, the bazaars remained much the same. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Following World War II, which Afghanistan stayed out of, the Soviets and Americans competed for rights to build Afghan roadways. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Unlike current roads in Afghanistan, roads in the 60s were well kept and generally free of wear and tear. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Kids grew up in a safe environment, unafraid of extremist influence. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Signs of prosperity dotted the urban landscape, showing off a solid upper class of Afghanistan. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • One of a few American schools in Afghanistan shows just how stable the country once was. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Fruit markets stayed largely the same, despite all the advancements, and they became a staple of Afghan culture. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Still much of the city maintained its cultural identity through architecture. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Even so, there was much western influence in the newer homes and businesses. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Women weren't required to wear burqas, but some would still cover up by choice. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Elementary education, even out in the rural areas, was standard. Kids and citizens alike felt opportunity hinged on education. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Nationalism grew, as people identified with the nation rather than with tribes. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • There were movie theaters, libraries, chemistry labs, and on the outskirts of the city, large factories, churning out products. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • While urban Afghanistan became modern, rural Afghanistan contained these quaint scenes. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Afghanistan had a national identity, and national style, despite all the 'western' influence. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • An Afghan fair, complete with a ferris wheel. Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • Yes, both rural and urban, western and south asian, it seemed all of Afghanistan ... Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.
  • ... was on the road to prosperity ... until the wars began ... Photo: Dr Bill Podlich.

More of Dr Bill Podlich’s photographs of Afghanistan, taken in 1967 and 1968, can be seen at his son-in-law Clayton Esterson’s website here.

- Geoffrey Ingersoll

Published with permission from:

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