People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan
Quick Summary
The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) was a Marxist-Leninist political party in Afghanistan. Founded in 1965, it soon split into two main factions: the People's (Khalq) Party and the Banner (Parcham) Party.1
The PDPA emerged during a period of political polarization in Afghanistan. The party advocated for socialist ideals and gained influence among leftist elements in the country. In 1978, PDPA leaders, including Hafizullah Amin, orchestrated a coup that overthrew President Daud Khan, establishing the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. This marked a significant shift in Afghan politics, bringing a communist-aligned party to power.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Hafizullah Amin…a member of the leftist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which was headed by Nur Mohammad Taraki. On April 27, 1978, Amin, who had become the PDPA’s strongman, engineered a coup that toppled the government of Mohammad Daud Khan. As a member of the People’s (“Khalq”) faction of the…
Read More…a member of the leftist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which was headed by Nur Mohammad Taraki. On April 27, 1978, Amin, who had become the PDPA’s strongman, engineered a coup that toppled the government of Mohammad Daud Khan. As a member of the People’s (“Khalq”) faction of the…
Read More- Babrak Karmal
…a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) and from 1965 to 1973 served in the National Assembly. When the PDPA split (1967) into the People’s (“Khalq”) and the Banner (“Parcham”) factions, Karmal became the leader of the more moderate, pro-Soviet Banner. The Banner supported the government…
Read More…a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) and from 1965 to 1973 served in the National Assembly. When the PDPA split (1967) into the People’s (“Khalq”) and the Banner (“Parcham”) factions, Karmal became the leader of the more moderate, pro-Soviet Banner. The Banner supported the government…
Read More - Nur Mohammad Taraki
…politics and helped found the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), a Marxist party with close ties to the Soviet Union. Personal rivalries and disputes over policy caused a split in the PDPA in 1967, with the Banner (“Parcham”) faction following the party’s deputy secretary, Babrak Karmal, and the People’s…
Read More…politics and helped found the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), a Marxist party with close ties to the Soviet Union. Personal rivalries and disputes over policy caused a split in the PDPA in 1967, with the Banner (“Parcham”) faction following the party’s deputy secretary, Babrak Karmal, and the People’s…
Read More