Shams al-Nahar,[a] variously spelled as Shams ul-Nahar or Shamsul Nahar, was the first printed periodical publication in Afghanistan from 1873 until it ceased operations in November 1878, following the Second Anglo-Afghan War. It was published during the rule of EmirSher Ali Khan. Recognized as the earliest newspaper of the country, it signified the formal beginning of Afghan media history. The periodical was released biweekly in Persian, though some sources claim it was also available in Pashto, two of the official languages widely spoken in Afghanistan. The issue comprised 16 pages.[1][2] Its establishment is attributed to initiatives to introduce journalism in Afghanistan,[3] with Jamal al-Din al-Afghani playing a central role in its conception. Shams al-Nahar represented Afghanistan's initial interactions with regional journalism practices and laid the preparations for the subsequent development of media in the country.[4]
Shams al-Nahar emerged at a time when Afghanistan was opening itself to regional and global influences, aiming to facilitate dissemination of information and ideas in the public. With an organized network of reporters, both inside Afghanistan and in neighboring regions such as Iran and India, it attempted to showcase a new model of journalism. It was influenced by the foreign newspapers—especially those from Iran and India.[4]
The writing style of Shams al-Nahar was impacted by English journalism practices. One feature was the consistent use of the English term "correspondent" instead of the Persian synonym "guzarushgar" (Persian: گزارشگر) , indicating the influence of Western media terminology on its editorial approach.[1]
The newspaper was edited by Mirza Abdul Ali, who served as the chief editor until its closure. The periodical managed to publish 40 to 48 issues before being discontinued, a result of both political instability and foreign intervention in the region.[1]
Closure
Shams al-Nahar ceased publication in 1878 following the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Afghan War and the death of Emir Sher Ali Khan. The British occupation during this period played a central role in restricting media activities, fearing that free information flow might incite mass mobilization against colonial rule. As a result, the British authorities pressured the Afghan government to halt Shams al-Nahar, thereby silencing the press for almost three decades.[5]
The closure of the newspaper suggested a setback in the development of Afghanistan's media history. No significant publications emerged until the early 20th century, making Shams al-Nahar a pioneering yet short-lived venture in Afghan journalism.[1]
KARIMI, ALI (18 Aug 2020). "The Bazaar, the State, and the Struggle for Public Opinion in Nineteenth-Century Afghanistan". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 30 (4). Cambridge University Press (CUP): 613–633. doi:10.1017/s1356186320000437. ISSN1356-1863.
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