History of Postage Stamps in Afghanistan

Best to know

Date of Issue: 1871
Ruler: Amir Sher Ali Khan (reigned 1863–1879)
Design: The first Afghan stamps were round, imperforate, and hand-stamped, printed using woodblocks.
Language: Inscribed in Persian (Farsi) script.
Value: Known as "Tigers' Heads" (due to their fierce lion motif, though some interpret it differently), they were issued in various colors.
Use: These early stamps were for internal mail only and were not recognized internationally.

Under King Habibullah Khan (r. 1901–1919) and King Amanullah Khan (r. 1919–1929), postal reforms modernized the system.
1920s: Stamps began showing scenes of modernization, like airplanes and radio towers, during Amanullah's modernization campaign.

Afghanistan joined the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1928, allowing it to engage in international mail exchanges.
Stamps now carried international values (rupees or afghanis) and followed international standards.

1973: Monarchy overthrown → stamps changed to reflect the new Republic.
1978–1992: Communist era and Soviet involvement — stamps showed socialist themes, Red Army, and propaganda.
1990s: Mujahideen and civil war – stamps became rarer and often symbolic.
1996–2001: Taliban rule halted many state services; stamp issuance was minimal or unofficial.

After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the Afghan government resumed official postal services.
Stamps reflected:
- National unity
- Development projects
- International cooperation
- Cultural heritage

With the Taliban’s return in August 2021, the future of the Afghan postal system and stamp issuance became unclear.
No internationally recognized stamps have been issued by the current regime so far.

🧭 Interesting Facts

Afghanistan was one of the few countries to hand-stamp its early postage.
Some early Afghan stamps are highly prized by collectors due to their rarity and primitive printing.
Afghan stamps have often served as political tools, reflecting changing regimes.