Afghan 'war' rugs: any evidence of these in Victorian times?

[Liz]

I've recently come across what are known as Afghan war rugs, that is, handwoven rugs featuring images of weaponry and sometimes nationalistic symbols such as a stylised map of Afghanistan. The oldest I've seen date to the 1980s ie. the Russian occupation and were so traditionally rendered that I had to look twice before I could make out the tanks and choppers hidden in the design.

Has anybody ever seen an Afghan or similar rug that shows older weaponry such as was used in Victorian times, or other symbols such as the VR logo? I appreciate this is an obscure question but most were fairly portable and it's the kind of thing that a soldier might have bought for a souvenir (if they existed).

[Mark]

Liz

I was of the understanding that these rugs first appeared around the time the Soviets invaded and occupied Afghanistan in 1979. However, that said it seems odd that such a practice suddenly emerges (almost overnight) in the 1980s without some sort of previous tradition behind it. Perhaps it is an old tradition that re-emerged following 1979.

Sorry I can't be of any help but I would also be interested in the answer to this one if anyone knows.

Mark

[astrang1]

Hello,
Not sure if I can shed a huge amount of light on this but I am currently serving in Afghan and I spoke to some rug traders on this point as they were selling rugs depicting military events from 1980's onwards. I asked through the barrier of limited Pashtu/English if this was a an Afghan tradition that stretched back over a hundred years or more and was assured yes but again I have never seen anything older than the 1980s . I will enquire some more and post if I find anything else.
Best wishes,
Al

[Liz]

Hi Al

Thanks for that feedback. I'd be very interested to hear/see more if you come across it. Books like Brian Murphy's The Root of Wild Madder (good book) and Christopher Kremmer's Carpet Wars (on my wishlist) can only take one so far! All the best,

Liz