The impacts of colonialism on my life

Historical impacts of colonialism in Afghanistan

Like in Canada with its Indigenous people, the effects of imperialism in Afghanistan have been long-lasting and deeply damaging. The war, displacement, poverty, hunger, loss of cultural and social identities, decline in education, and setbacks in economic growth can all be traced back to the disruptions caused when Afghanistan’s geopolitical system came under attack during British colonialism (Ghaznavids, 2022).

Historically, Afghanistan was renowned for its strong warriors and rulers who had significant influence in the Indian subcontinent (Hindustan) for centuries. The Afghan social structure was rooted in clans and tribes, with tribal leaders governing their own communities through established political and social systems that ensured order and stability. During the height of their power, Afghan emperors led several successful military campaigns against Indian rulers. They appointed governors to rule different regions of India and collected taxes that were then sent back to the Afghan empire. This system strengthened Afghanistan’s political authority and demonstrated its influence across the region (Colonialism, War and Governance in Afghanistan - IHRC, 2022).

However, the arrival of British imperialism disrupted this long-standing structure. The colonial powers sought to weaken Afghanistan’s sovereignty, control its trade routes, and limit its regional influence. This interference destabilized tribal governance, undermined Afghanistan’s self-sufficient systems, and contributed to cycles of war and poverty that persist to this day. On top of this, the British imposed the Durand Line in 1893, which was meant to separate British-controlled India from Afghanistan (Schons, 2025). Today, this line still functions as the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Like many other colonial borders around the world, it was drawn to serve the political and military interests of the empire rather than the people who lived on the land. The Durand Line cut through Pashtun and other ethnic communities, dividing tribes and families across two states and disrupting centuries-old cultural and social connections (Schons, 2025).

This artificial boundary planted the seeds of ongoing conflict. By weakening Afghanistan’s internal cohesion and dividing its people, the Durand Line created instability that foreign powers continued to exploit, which led to the early 2000s. 

Ongoing impacts of colonialism 

Even in the modern era, Afghanistan’s political landscape has been shaped by the legacy of colonialism. The persistence of borders imposed by imperial powers has left Afghanistan vulnerable to geopolitical games, where its governments and regimes are influenced, controlled, or undermined by foreign interests seeking to safeguard their own political and economic agendas. This has perpetuated cycles of war, displacement, poverty, and instability, making the colonial legacy of the Durand Line a central factor in Afghanistan’s struggles up to the present day.

In the last 20 years, we have also witnessed the arrival of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, which serves as another example of how the country’s social and political environment has been externally controlled. While the stated purpose was to combat terrorism and stabilize the region, in reality, this intervention continued a long pattern of foreign powers exerting influence over Afghan governance, resources, and people. The presence of U.S. and allied forces often undermined local autonomy, deepened internal divisions, and created dependency on outside support rather than allowing Afghanistan to rebuild on its own terms. This reflects the ongoing legacy of imperialism, where external interests are prioritized over the well-being and sovereignty of Afghan communities.

The effects of imperialism and colonialism in Canada: a comparison

The effects of imperialism in Afghanistan can be meaningfully connected to the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, especially through the lens of land-based learning and the struggles tied to loss of identity under colonialism. In both contexts, colonial powers imposed borders, systems of governance, and policies that disrupted long-standing cultural, social, and political structures (LotusArise, 2023).

For Indigenous Peoples in Canada, colonialism led to the loss of land, suppression of languages, and forced removal of children into residential schools, practices that sought to erase identity and assimilate communities (“Introduction to Land-Based Education,” 2020). Similarly, in Afghanistan, British imperialism and later foreign interventions disrupted tribal systems, divided families and communities through artificial borders like the Durand Line, and created dependency on external powers. Both groups suffered a weakening of traditional governance and a disconnection from cultural knowledge passed down through generations. Land-based learning offers a way to resist and heal from these colonial impacts. For Indigenous communities in Canada, reconnecting with the land through traditional practices, ceremonies, and education restores identity, sovereignty, and cultural continuity (Introduction to Land-Based Education, 2020). Likewise, in Afghanistan, communities have historically been rooted in land-based practices, agriculture, tribal governance tied to territories, and cultural traditions connected to the environment. Reclaiming these practices in both contexts is a form of resistance to colonial erasure and a pathway to rebuilding identity, resilience, and sovereignty (Media, 2025).

In this way I can see, the struggles of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the people of Afghanistan reflect a shared history of colonial disruption, and land-based learning becomes a powerful tool to reclaim what was taken, re-establish cultural continuity, and assert self-determination in the face of ongoing external control.

Impact on ourlives

The effects of imperialism in Afghanistan have not only shaped the country’s history but have also deeply impacted my own life and my family's. Over 40 years ago, my parents were forced to migrate and became refugees. I was born in a refugee camp, and years later, I too immigrated to Canada to begin a new chapter of life. This cycle of displacement is one of the lasting consequences of political instability and colonial legacies that continue to disrupt lives across generations.

Because of insecurity and safety concerns, I had to leave behind my fully furnished home in Afghanistan and restart everything from scratch in Canada, including my career. This experience reflects the personal cost of being uprooted, where I had to bear the pain of mental, social and economic struggles. 

For my children, the impact is equally profound. They are gradually losing their mother tongue because of the limited opportunities to use it outside of our immediate family. Along with language, they are also at risk of losing their sense of connection to our native land, traditions, and culture. This mirrors the struggles faced by many displaced and colonized communities, where generations must fight to preserve identity while adapting to new environments.

Finally, the long-term effects of imperialism extend far beyond political borders and histories; it shapes how we look at relationships, families, languages, and identities today, and for Canadian Indigenous people, it was a systematic cultural genocide, leaving everlasting impacts. 

References

Afghan women weaving carpet. (n.d.). https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/afghan-wars-oriental-carpets-and-globalization/

Colonialism, War and Governance in Afghanistan - IHRC. (2022, March 17). Islamic Human Rights Commission. https://www.ihrc.org.uk/colonialism-war-and-governance-in-afghanistan/

Ghaznavids. (2022, May 21). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghaznavids

Introduction to Land-Based Education. (2020). In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F6hg8uwZuQ

LotusArise. (2023, October 31). Imperialism and Colonialism - UPSC. LotusArise. https://lotusarise.com/imperialism-and-colonialism/

Media, L. (2025). The Impact of Colonialism in Canada. Cancore Academic Videos. https://academic-can-core-ca.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/title/t79543/2898

Sapp, A. (n.d.). Cooking Chokecherries. https://www.native-art-in-canada.com/allensapp.html

Sapp, A. (1971). Baby is Crying. https://thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/local-arts/allen-sapp-remembered-for-honesty-of-artwork

Sapp, A. (1983). A nice day to wash clothes. https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/NICE-DAY-TO-WASH-CLOTHES/D4B30A16447B31BE

Schons, M. (2025, April 21). The Durand Line | National Geographic Society. Education.nationalgeographic.org; National Geographic Society. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/durand-line/