The Royal Salute (1926–1943) Afghanistan's first national anthem was adopted during its period as a
monarchy. It was instrumental and had no lyrics.
Grand Salute (Our Brave and Noble King) (1943–1973) This was Afghanistan's second national anthem during its monarchical period.
National anthem of the Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978) Be ardent, be more ardent (1978–1992) Another national anthem was adopted after the
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was set up in 1978. Its lyrics were written by
Sulaiman Layeq on behalf of the government of the
People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) headed by
Nur Muhammad Taraki, who decided to change the national symbols after
the Marxist coup d'état of 1978. The music was composed by Jalīl Ghahlānd and was arranged by Ustad Salim Sarmad. It is known alternatively by the title of "Garam shah lā garam shah" (), which is also the song's
incipit. Like many national anthems, it was sometimes sung abbreviated, with only the chorus and the first stanza. In 1986, Afghanistan officially abandoned communism, but this song was kept as the national anthem until 1992, when it was discontinued.
Fortress of Islam, Heart of Asia (1992–1996, 2001–2006) From 1992 to 2006,
Afghanistan used a
mujahideen battle song composed in 1919 by
Ustad Qasim as its national anthem. It is also known alternatively by the title "Fortress of Islam, Heart of Asia" (), which is also the song's incipit. The song was reintroduced by the new
transitional government of Afghanistan in 2002; it remained such when the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was established in 2004 and was used by the latter until 2006.
This Is the Home of the Brave (1996–2001, 2021–present) During the late 1990s, the
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan under the
Taliban took control over most of Afghanistan from the UN-recognized government and ruled most of the country until late 2001. The Taliban did not have formal laws specifying its symbols, including the flag and the anthem. An
a capella nasheed song named
This Is the Home of the Brave () was used in its media and official ceremonies, serving as a
de facto national anthem.
National anthem of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2006–2021) A new National Anthem (, ; ) was adopted and officially announced as such by a
Loya Jirga in May 2006. According to Article 20 of the
Afghan constitution, the
national anthem shall be in
Pashto with the mention of "
God is Greatest" as well as the names of the ethnicities in Afghanistan. The lyrics were written by
Abdul Bari Jahani, and the music was written by
German–Afghan composer . ==See also==