This captivating photograph from the 1900s

This captivating photograph from the 1900s transports us to the Fort of Ali Masjid, proudly standing in the historic Khyber Pass—a crucial mountainous route connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dating back to 1837, this pass witnessed Afghan ruler Dost Mohammed Khan's fierce battle against the Sikhs, culminating in the Battle of Jamrud and marking the end of the Afghan-Sikh wars. Constructed in the same year, the Fort of Ali Masjid served as a strategic outpost during conflicts between Afghan and British forces. In 1878, John Burke made a remarkable discovery—finding a wall adorned with Buddhist imagery, unraveling the region's rich cultural and religious heritage and adding yet another layer of fascination to the historical significance of the Khyber Pass.

In the backdrop of World War I, the assassination of ruler Habibullah Khan in 1919 altered expectations, as his son, Amanullah, took the throne and led Afghanistan through the Third Anglo-Afghan War against the British. Remarkably, the war-weary British recognized Afghanistan's independence and negotiated the Treaty of Peace in 1919, granting the Afghans full freedom in foreign affairs. Surprisingly, Amanullah chose not to renegotiate the boundary with the British and embraced the Durand Line—a decision that surprised many observers.