War in Afghanistan: Human and Social Costs

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What was the condition of Kandahar in 1987?

A peaceful city with minimal conflict

A city with moderate conflict

A city under complete mujahedeen control

A city with intense combat and heavy destruction (correct)

Why do scholars researching Afghanistan have limited information?

Due to limited access to information from outside Afghanistan (correct)

Due to lack of documentation during the war

Due to lack of access to primary sources

Due to the destruction of records during the war

What was the experience of the war for the people of Kandahar?

Ten years of hard combat and deprivations (correct)

A civil war between rival mujahedeen groups

A period of relative peace and stability

A brief and mild conflict

What happened to the mujahedeen commanders after the Soviet withdrawal?

They began to accept payoffs from the Afghan government Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the mujahedeen commanders when recalling the war?

Horror and nostalgia Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Izvestia correspondent in Kandahar?

To document the devastation of the city Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's main concern regarding the war in Afghanistan?

The massive human and social costs of the conflict Signup and view all the answers

What is the current attitude of the people of Kandahar towards the war?

Nostalgia and pride Signup and view all the answers

What was the age of the narrator when their father died?

7 years old Signup and view all the answers

Where was the narrator's brother when their father died?

Mushan Signup and view all the answers

What did the kind woman produce from her clothes to cheer up the narrator and their sister?

Sweets Signup and view all the answers

Where was the narrator's father buried?

In a cemetery on the riverside Signup and view all the answers

What was the value that the narrator's parents placed on education?

High Signup and view all the answers

How long did the narrator and their sister stay with their cousin?

One and a half years Signup and view all the answers

Where did the narrator move to after their mother's death?

Uncle Musa Jan's house Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's father's occupation in Mushan village?

Mullah in a local mosque Signup and view all the answers

What task did the narrator help with at their cousin's house?

Looking after the animals Signup and view all the answers

Who had the narrator's sister been promised to in marriage?

One of their relatives Signup and view all the answers

Why was the narrator scared at night in the mud brick house?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Where did the narrator's brother Rahmatullah go to pursue his studies?

Pashmol Signup and view all the answers

Where did the narrator go to study in the mornings?

The mosque Signup and view all the answers

What would the women of the village do to take care of the narrator and their siblings?

They would take care of them Signup and view all the answers

What would happen at night in the mud brick house?

The narrator would feel lonely and scared Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's father busy with in Zangiabad?

Teaching in a local madrassa Signup and view all the answers

What was the Taliban known for providing to all groups in the south?

Formal justice system and mediation services Signup and view all the answers

Who replaced Mawlawi Abdul Bari as the first judge?

Mawlawi Pasanai Saheb Signup and view all the answers

What was the Taliban's authority over the war based on?

Their sanction of the conflict as a jihad Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the district where the Taliban had a particularly important set of front lines and groups?

Panjwayi Signup and view all the answers

How did mujahedeen groups work together in the greater Kandahar area?

In a much more co-operative manner Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary source of contention among mujahedeen groups in Pakistan?

Distribution of money and assets Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to trace the party allegiance of certain mujahedeen from the southern front?

They were more prepared to co-operate with other groups Signup and view all the answers

What is one point that everyone can agree on regarding the war in southern Afghanistan?

It was a ferocious and intense war Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason for the wedding party to be held at the groom's house?

Because the groom's family wanted to hold the wedding earlier after the death of the father Signup and view all the answers

Who was the only person left that truly cared about the narrator after her sister's wedding?

Nobody Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's situation after her sister's wedding?

She stopped eating and drinking, and stopped studying altogether Signup and view all the answers

Who took the narrator to live with her maternal uncle after some time?

Her cousin Signup and view all the answers

What was the attitude of the narrator's maternal uncle towards her?

He was cruel and abusive towards her Signup and view all the answers

Who was the senior religious instructor at the school where the narrator studied?

Mawlawi Niaz Mohammad Signup and view all the answers

What was Mawlawi Niaz Mohammad's stance towards Noor Mohammad Taraki after he came to power?

He switched allegiances and became a vocal supporter of Taraki and the Communist regime Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Mawlawi Niaz Mohammad's students after he started to support Taraki?

They left him soon after he started to support Taraki Signup and view all the answers