Early history Guru Nanak visited Kabul in the 15th century. Guru Nanak is traditionally locally known as
Peer Balagdaan in Afghanistan. Some early
Khatri Sikhs established and maintained colonies in Afghanistan for trading purposes. Later, conflicts between the Sikh
misls and
empire against the Afghan-based
Durrani Empire led to tension. Sikhs also served in the British Empire's military during several operations in Afghanistan in the 19th century.
20th century Following the
partition of India in 1947, the Sikh population increased as Sikh migrants fled persecution from the
Pothohar region of newly formed country of
Pakistan. The Sikhs prospered during the 1933-1973 reign of
Mohammad Zahir Shah, and during period of strongly secular period of
Soviet rule. Sikh
gurdwaras throughout the country were destroyed in the
Battle of Jalalabad (1989) and the Afghan Civil War of the 1990s, leaving only the Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul. Under the
Taliban, the Sikhs were a persecuted minority and forced to pay the
jizya tax. The Sikh custom of cremation of the dead was prohibited by the Taliban, and cremation grounds vandalized. In addition, Sikhs were required to wear yellow patches or veils to identify themselves.
21st century in Kabul By tradition, Sikhs cremate their dead, an act considered sacrilege in Islam. Cremation has become a major issue among Sikh Afghans, as traditional cremation grounds have been appropriated by Muslims, particularly in the
Qalacha area of Kabul, which Sikhs and Hindus had used for over a century. Sikhs in Afghanistan continue to face problems, with the issue of the Sikh custom of cremation figuring prominently. In September 2013, Afghan President
Hamid Karzai signed a legislative decree, reserving a seat in the
National Assembly of Afghanistan for the Hindu and Sikh minority. However this decree was blocked by the parliament. The decree eventually came into force in September 2016 when it was approved by the cabinet of Karzai's successor,
Ashraf Ghani.
Narendra Singh Khalsa was elected to this seat at the subsequent
general election. Following the deadly
Jalalabad attack in June 2018, both Karzai and Ghani visited the Karte Parwan
gurdwara to offer condolences. Ghani called the country's Sikh and Hindu minorities the "pride of the nation", and on another occasion that year called them an "integral part" of Afghanistan's history. The country is witnessing a severe decline in the community's population with the coming of Taliban back in power. Several members sought refuge to other countries and several others are still attempting to flee their home country. ==Diaspora==