About Us

An independent non-profit organisation established in 2015 to enrich the study of Afghanistan's history.

Who We Are

The Kakar History Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation established in 2015 to contribute to enriching the study of Afghan history. We exist to facilitate historical research, to inform the world about the life and work of prominent Afghan historians, and to raise awareness of historical events and culture that define the Afghan people.

We are committed to working with history students, scholars, leaders, and policy makers to understand the diverse local, national, regional, and global histories of Afghanistan. Our work bridges academia and the public — we believe that history belongs to everyone, not only to specialists.

Founded in memory of Professor Mohammad Hassan Kakar, Afghanistan’s foremost historian, the Foundation carries forward his belief that understanding history is essential to building a better future. We honour his legacy by doing precisely what he spent his life doing — collecting, preserving, and sharing Afghanistan’s history with honesty, rigour, and care.

“Knowing our history will enhance our cultural awareness and moral understanding of the world we live in.”

— Kakar History Foundation

Core Values

Integrity

We hold the truth of the historical record as sacred. Our work is guided by evidence, rigour, and honesty, never by political convenience.

Accessibility

History belongs to all Afghans and to the world. We publish in English, Pashto, and Dari so that no one is excluded from their own heritage.

Stewardship

We are custodians of a fragile historical record. We act with reverence and responsibility toward every document, account, and artefact in our care.

Dialogue

We foster open, rigorous, respectful debate as the engine of historical understanding and the foundation of intellectual progress.

What We Do

Our Five Objectives

Enhance Knowledge Through Research & Publication

We enhance knowledge and understanding of Afghanistan's history through the facilitation, funding, and publication of historical research. We support works that engage with, preserve, and promulgate Afghanistan's history for public and academic communities alike.

Support Public Engagement Through Events

We organise seminars, conferences, symposia, and webinars that bring scholars, students, policy-makers, and the general public together around the shared subject of Afghan history and culture. Public engagement is not peripheral to our mission — it is central to it.

Carry On Pro. Kakar's Work Through Translation

We carry forward Pro. Kakar's tireless translation work by publishing and translating seminal works in historical studies into Pashto and Dari. This ensures that Afghanistan's scholarly heritage is accessible to Afghan readers in their own languages.

Collect & Archive Historical Documents

We collect, preserve, and archive historical documents, manuscripts, books, photographs, and artefacts related to Afghanistan's history, in partnership with interested individuals, institutions, and organisations around the world.

Foster Critical Debate & Dialogue

We contribute to the public and academic exchange of ideas by creating and facilitating open forums for the expression of views, holding regular lecture series, and sponsoring debate and discussion events.

Research

Supporting and publishing rigorous historical scholarship that illuminates every dimension of Afghanistan's past — political, social, cultural, and intellectual.

Education

Empowering Afghan historians, students, and the public through lectures, seminars, publications in multiple languages, and accessible educational resources.

Dialogue

Creating and sustaining open, evidence-based intellectual discourse — bridging academic and public communities in the shared pursuit of historical understanding.

A Founding Moment

Official Inauguration

Inauguration of the Kakar History Foundation · June 1, 2015