A short preface by Hashmat Khalil Gobar contains important information concerning the 1st and 2nd volumes of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan in the Course of History).  The translation is as follows:

   "The first volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh covers history of Afghanistan from ancient times until the second quarter of the 20th Century (the end of Shah Amanulah's government.)  This book, printed in 1967 in Kabul, was immediately banned by the government, prior to leaving the publishing house.
    The second volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (the last volume) covers the critical and eventful period during the government of Nadir Shah and his family until the fall of Prime Minister Shah Mahmood (Nadir Shah's brother) from power.  This second volume is, in fact, the remaining few chapters of the first volume.  Due to severe dictatorship at the time in the country, it could not be published then. It is for this reason that the author has not written a preface for the second volume.  Later on, he did not have the opportunity to prepare the required appendages for the second volume.  This second volume has now been printed and published unaltered, as Gobar had left.  Hashmat Khalil Gobar, his son, was assigned by Gobar's last written will and testament to manage and publish his books and other written works.  The preface and the dedication sections written by M.G.M. Gobar in the first volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh, have also been included in the second volume.  An appendix summarizes political life of Gobar and his written works and also comments by foreign media on Gobar's death are attached.

Gobar's Political Life:
    Gobar's youth coincided with a period in which the roots of social change were slowly developing.  In Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, newspapers and magazines were being published.  Private libraries and both open and covert intellectual circles were being formed.  These occurrences resulted in a political revolution and social evolution in the country, leading to Afghanistan's victory in the Third Afghan British War. This victory helped to provide a positive environment for the social activities and movements among the country's younger generations.  However, this period did not last more than ten years. Gobar's activities during this eventful period:

During the Amania (King Amanullah) Period:
 

• Founder and chief editor of "Setaara-e Afghan" (Afghan Star)- Winter 1919 to Summer 1920.  This weekly magazine contained two pages, subjects were analytical and reformative, originally printed and published in Jabulsaraaj Stone Printing House and later in Chareekaar (Parwan province).
• Official in the Ministry of Public Safety- 1920-1921
• Member of Herat (region in the west) Regulation Committee- 1921
• Member of Amania Cooperative and Trade Mission in Moscow Convention - 1924
• Secretary in Afghan Embassy in Paris - 1926
• Official of customs office in regions of Kataghan and Badachshaan (north) - 1927
• Elected Representative (by citizens of Kabul) at Loy Jerga (National Assembly) in Paghmaan- 1928

• First Secretary in the Afghan Embassy in Berlin-1930. Gobar resigned from this position and returned to Afghanistan to participate in the struggle against dictatorship and tyranny of Nadir Shah.
• Member of Kabul Literary Society- 1931-1932
• Political prisoner - 1922-1925
• Political exile in regions of Faraah, & Kandahaar - 1922-1935
• Member of Historical Society in Kabul - 1943-1948
• Elected Representative of Kabul Citizens in the Seventh National Parliament - 1949-1951
• Founder and leader of Watan (Country) Party--Founder and Chief Editor of Watan newspaper (Party's political organ) 1951-1952:Main goals and objectives of the Watan Party were:  Safeguarding of sovereignty and integrity of Afghanistan; introduction of democracy and justice in all aspects of political and social life; national unity; achieving civil and human rights; public education and public health; elimination of corruption; respect and devotion for peace and wholesomeness in the world (see page 244, vol. two Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh.)  Watan newspaper was printed in four pages, in Kabul.  Its style was analytical.  On 1951 the government banned the Watan newspaper and in 1952 also banned the Watan party.  In 1956, the government officially announced that Watan party must be dissolved as of that date.
• Political prisoner, 1952-1956: (Because of Gobar's leadership in a demonstration of Kabul citizens for free parliamentary elections.)

1956 - 1978: 

For the next twenty years, Gobar, the fighter for freedom, patriot, writer and historian was put under continuous surveillance by the ruling dynasty, and thus was forced to continue his political activities from his house. During this period, Gobar wrote Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan in the Course of History).  However, the government of the time used any and all means to prevent the publication of Gobar's written works including newspaper, articles, or books, and banned Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh. Through fraud in voting the government prevented election of Gobar in the parliament for a second time.

    Gobar was deeply affected by human sufferings, especially the suffering of  the poor and the needy.  Hashmat Khalil Gobar remembers a time when he was a young child, stating, "On one of the cold days of winter, when the snow was coming down heavily, I was walking with my father (Gobar) on Jadae Walayat in Kabul. He had my hand in his hand.  At the corner of the street, next to a wall, an old man was trembling from the cold and sadness poured from his dignified gaze.  The man had only an old shirt and pants on.  My father took off his coat and gave it to the old man, and spent the winter without a coat, since the one he gave away was the only one he had. He was not able to buy another one.  What Gobar did then, remained hidden under the rushing thick snowflakes, but I witnessed his deep feelings and his love for humanity."

    Gobar, who in his last will had wanted his children to serve the poor and needy, made this service his occupation in his own life.  He spent his life on this path, and never once gave up or caved in under the threats, the danger of death, and the dictatorship of the ruling power.  Through all the years of pressure, prison, and exile, Gobar never wavered from his path and never gave in to the rulers.
    When the ruling dynasty realized that they had failed to break Gobar through the use of prison and chains, they became furious and started to use their intelligence apparatus to conduct an extensive subversive propaganda against Gobar.
    When the second era of "democracy from above" was announced following the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Dawood, the government prevented, by fraud, election of Gobar as the people's representative to the parliament for the second time. It was at this time that Gobar was giving a speech to the citizens of Kabul in Zaynab Nendarea (while government agents were present too).  One government agent verbalized this negative propaganda, suggesting that Gobar's release from the prison was an indication of Gobar's surrendering to the government. Gobar answered, "The despotic government does not stop its cowardly and shrewd manipulations and propaganda against its opponents. The keys to the prisons are in the hands of the government.  The government keeps anyone in, or lets anyone out of prison at any time that may suit the government's schemes.  But I, here in front of everyone and in presence of the government's agents, challenge the Government of Afghanistan that if they have so much as a single proof of my giving up during my political life, they must present it so that every one can see it and know about it. The government does not have such proof.  However, I will write the real history of the people of Afghanistan.  In this history I will also document crimes of government and their operatives."
    Gobar kept this promise and wrote Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan in the Course of History).

    Gobar, truthful and loyal to his people and humanity, was fearless and courageous with a straight back and his head held high.  Two of the most dangerous and despotic rulers of Afghanistan, Nadir Shah and some years later, Prime Minister Mohammed Dawood, invited Gobar to cooperate with their dictator governments (see 2nd volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh.)  Gobar, accepting the risk of death and years of prison, exile, and house arrest, refused this invitation which he considered to be not in the interest of Afghanistan and its people.  He always expressed and wrote the truth.  This is evidenced by his very act of writing Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan In the Course of History) during the time that the ruling dynasty was still in power.
    His son, Hashmat Khalil Gobar,  recalls a day when a government agent came into their house.  He insinuated that if Gobar is imprisoned again because of his political activities, what would happen to his three young daughters?  Gobar asked this person, "How many do you estimate the population of Afghanistan?"  The man answered that it was between 12 and 15 million people.  Gobar said, "Half of this number, about 8 million, are girls and women.  How can I give up fighting for the rights of 8 million daughters of this nation because of my three daughters?"

    When Gobar died, he left behind his wife, Saleha Gobar, and seven children (Maria Gobar, Rona Gobar, Donia Gobar, Asad Hasan Gobar, Ashraf Shuhab Gobar, Ibrahim Adham Gobar, and Hashmat Khalil Gobar).  Gobar has written in his notes about his wife, "Saleha Begum, intelligent and hard working, my life long friend, has participated with patience and dignity in all of the sad and dangerous events of my life, has raised good children, and has tolerated many difficulties."

Gobar's Work:
    It must be noted that until 70 years ago, the history of Afghanistan, inspite of its richness, had been left unclear and unknown in the history books written by foreigners and other writers.  Even in schools throughout Afghanistan, the history of the country was taught from 18th century onward.  Of course, this sad and regrettable situation was undermining the country's history, its national unity, and integrity.  Gobar is the first individual who, seventy years ago, felt this great loss and started to document the true facts and to remedy this loss.  These written works were the first on Afghanistan history as a country. New generation of Afghan historians all come after Gobar.  Forty years later, Gobar once more presented, through writing Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh, the developed form of writing analytical and scholarly history of Afghanistan. 

    Gobar's written works:

1.    Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan In the Course of History), Volume One 1967:
       (840 pages, Kabul General Printing House, first print 3000 copies) This book was banned by the government of the time before the book's distribution.  Later, this book was published, repeatedly, outside of Afghanistan  (more than 55,000 copies).  This book is the first analytical history of Afghanistan that covers the period from the beginning of history to early 20th century.
    The Story of Printing and Publishing of the First Volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh:
     In 1967, the Book Publishing House in Kabul signed an official written contract with Mir Ghulam Mohammed Gobar to print his book in 3000 copies.  Three hundred copies were promised to the author.  At this time, this particular Book Publishing House belonged to the Ministry of Information under Minister Abdul Rawoof  Benawa.  The current prime minister was Mohammed Hashem Maywandwal. However, as soon as the last page of the book was printed, the book was immediately banned by the ruling dynasty without any official announcement.  Later, the new prime minister (Noor Ahmad Etemaady), officially announced in a parliamentary meeting, without any legal or court process, the banning of the first volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh. At this time, Mohammed Anas, the new Minister of Information, officially summoned Gobar to the Ministry of Information, and requested the return of  40 copies of the book that Gobar had obtained during the printing process, based on the signed contract. The minister questioned Gobar with a threatening tone, "You have spent much of your life in prison and in exile and the locks and chains of prisons are weary of you, but still you write this kind of book?"  Gobar answered, "You have not seen my house.  Only a wall separates my home from the Kabul City Prison.  The room I have is smaller than the one given to me when I was in prison, so the threat of prison has no effect on me.  I consider it my duty to write the true history of the people of Afghanistan.  Legally, the history book I have written must be released.  The government can then use its power to hire and assign writers who serve the government, writers who have already distorted the facts and history of the past, to respond to my book in writing."
    While this ruling dynasty was in power, and throughout Gobar's lifetime, the first volume of Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh remained banned.  One month after the fall of the ruling dynasty by the communist coup in 1978 (several months after Gobar's death), the new Soviet puppet regime, released Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Vol.1)  in summer of 1978, for the purpose of gaining people's trust.  However, three days later, the puppet government sought to ban it, realizing the strong "anti foreign invaders" spirit of the book. At the time, most of the three thousands copies had already been purchased by people, and there was nothing left to be banned.  Since that time, this book has been republished several times (about 55,000. copies) in locations outside of Afghanistan.

    2. Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan in the Course of History), Volume Two:
           At the time that Gobar wrote this book in Kabul in 1973, there was no possibility of its publication because Afghanistan was run by the dictator president, Mohammed Dawood.  Gobar, in his written will, assigned the job of safekeeping and publishing this book (at an appropriate time) to his son, Hashmat Khalil Gobar.
    Dangerous times of continued dictatorship and foreign  invasions slowed the process of getting the book out of the country, printing, and publishing it.  In June of 1999, Hashmat K. Gobar printed the second volume of "Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh" (Afghanistan in the Course of History) at American Speedy Print House, VA, USA, (in 285 pages),  5000 copies were printed.  This book covers the eventful years of the second quarter of the 20th century.  So far (July 2000) this book has been reprinted three times in other countries, in 50,000 copies.

    3.    Afghanistan Wa Negahe Ba Tareekh-e Aan (Afghanistan and A Look at its History), 1931:
           In 190 pages, Kabul Printing House, published in Kabul Journal (2nd -12th issues).  This book covers the subject of Afghanistan's geographical history.

    4. Afghanistan Dar Hindoostan (Afghanistan in India), 1932:
           In 95 pages, this book projects the history of Afghanistan's political influence in India.

    5.    Tareekhcha-e Mokhtasar-e Afghanistan (A Brief History of Afghanistan), 1932:
           In 68 pages, printed in the first volume of Kabul Saalnaama ( yearly ) Kabul Printing House.  This book reviews the history of Afghanistan from the beginning of Avesta period until 20th century, and includes a list of Afghanistan's initial names, regions and borders in the form of an appendix.

    6.    Tareekh-e Ahmad Shah Baba (History of Ahmad Shah Baba), 1943:
           In 352 pages. Gobar wrote this book while he was in exile in Kandahaar (a region in south of Afghanistan).  The book was published (with some difficulty) after he returned to Kabul.  It includes historical events in Afghanistan during the 18th century.

    7. Khorasan, 1937:
           In 100 pages, Kabul Printing House.  This book is a study and research re "Khorasan", which was the name of  the country (now Afghanistan) for more than 1500 years.  The study is based on valid sources of historical/geographical documents.

    8.    Resaala-e Omara-e Mahalee Afghanistan (Pamphlet on Local Governments in Afghanistan), 1932-1934:
           In 58 pages, Kabul Printing House, published in "Ariana" journal, 2nd year, volumes 3-7.

    9.    Tareekh-e-Islaam and Nofooz-e Arab in Afghanistan (History of Islam and Arab  Influence in Afghanistan), 1947:
           In 112 pages, Kabul Printing House, is included in 3rd volume of Afghanistan History.

    10.  Quroon-e-Ula (Early Centuries), 1947:
            In 226 pages, Kabul Printing House.  Gobar wrote this book in cooperation with Dost Mohammed Khan, a history teacher, as part of history curriculum for 10th grade of public schools.

    11.  Afghanistan Ba Yak Nazar (Afghanistan At One Glance), 1947:
            In 284 pages, Kabul Printing House.  The government of the time (who belonged to Mohamadzayee dynasty), did not like the page with information about Mohamadzayee Ruling Period, and censored and replaced that part.

    12.    Adabyat-e Dowra-e Mohammed Zayee (Literature in Mohammed Zayee Period), 1952:
             In 81 pages, Kabul Printing house, published in the fifth chapter of History of Literature in Afghanistan.

    13.    A series of articles (historical, social, and political), 1929-1933:
             These articles were published in Kabul periodicals and newspapers, (among them in "Ariana" journal, 1929-1933). Gobar, through these articles,  projected Afghan scholars, and introduced some of Afghanistan's historical handwritten books, as well as others.
    "Iqtesaad-e-Ma" (Our Economy), Gobar's famous article, was published in the daily newspaper "Islah" (correction), 51st vol., October 9th, 1946. This analytical article expounded the nature of the economy of the country and a small group of major merchants and money holders who in cooperation with the government conducted trade.  In this article, Gobar revealed facts about a system, which greatly increased the financial gains by this group and resulted in increased general poverty among the people of the country, and destruction of urban and rural middle class economy and the middle and small businessmen and merchants. This article provoked much discussion and awareness.  The government, during a session of the cabinet, interrogated and threatened Gobar and punished the chief editor of Islah newspaper.

    14. Setaara-e Afghan (Afghan Star), 1920-1921:
             Weekly two page newspaper, printed in Jabul Saraaj Print House (stone print) and later in Chareekar Print House.  Gobar was chief editor and the goal of the newspaper was to keep the spirit of fighting for independence from Britain.  The time of the newspaper's publication and distribution coincided with the beginning of Afghanistan's war for liberty. Gobar's articles in the last issues of this newspaper were critical of the government too.

    15.    Watan (Country), political organ of Watan Party, 1950-1951:
        This weekly newspaper was published in Kabul.  Gobar was the founder and chief editor of Watan, and many of his political articles at that time were published there.  Watan was banned by the government of the time and its publication was stopped.

    16.    Tareekh-e Adabyat-e Afghanistan (History of Afghanistan Literature):
        History of literature in Afghanistan from the beginning of historical era till 20th century.
             (not printed yet)

    17. Gobar's Notes about his life:
       Gobar's original handwritten notes.
             (not printed yet)
 

     Reminder:
     One must realize that most of Gobar's works were written within limitations imposed by the despotic regimes. During the publication of Gobar's works, government censors felt free to alter his original works by adding, subtracting, and changing words and sentences, even deleting or changing pages.
        Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh, (Afghanistan in the Course of History), was Gobar's first work that was written without consideration of despotic environment and the government censors did not alter it, because as soon as the first volume of this book was printed, it was immediately banned and remained banned during the ruling dynasty's governing period and Gobar's life time. The second volume of this book was kept hidden, intact, until it was printed later in the US.
 
 

    "Last Saturday, Mir Ghulam Mohammed Gobar, Afghanistan's greatest historian, journalist, and famous political fighter for freedom of this century left this world at the age of 80.  Based on one of the scholars, Gobar, even at old age, possessed new ideas and the spirit of the youth."
    "Gobar, when he was young, started to study social and political subjects.  When he became a member of Kabul Literary Society, he began to write articles about history and became an important member of this society. The works of the late Gobar also included a series of social and historical articles that have not all been published.
    Among his books that have been published, one can name Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh, which is the most credible historical research and, until now, has been the source of documentation and information for many researchers and writers.  Gobar always included elements of criticism in his social writings, and with his sharp insight, tried to analyze historical events in his writings."
    "Gobar, not only as a historian, but also as a fighter for freedom gained fame and love among people, and he participated in Afghanistan's political and social reforms. In his youth, at the end of Afghanistan and England's third war, in which Afghanistan achieved its political liberty, Gobar was an active representative in the first parliament of the Afghan Government and tried hard to support and promote the 'renewal and reform' mentality."
    "During the upcoming reforms, before the republican revolution in Afghanistan, he spent time in prison, and was also exiled in regions of Farah-Afghanistan for a time.  Following his return to Kabul, Gobar worked as journalist for a while and published Watan (Country) newspaper, the political organ of Watan Party.  At the end of his political activities, he wrote his last book about Afghanistan's political history, which was published in the government's printing house, but  prior to distribution was banned.  A few weeks ago, Gobar went to West Germany for medical treatment and died in the hospital.  May his soul be blessed."

    "Mir Ghulam Mohammed Gobar, Afghanistan's famous historian and fighter for freedom , at the age of eighty, due to sickness and physical weakness due to many years of struggle for freedom, last Saturday left this world."
    "Many of Mir Ghulam Mohammed Gobar's works are not published yet.  History books, Khorasan, Ancient Afghanistan, and Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh (Afghanistan in the Course of History) are among his published writings."
    "Mir Ghulam Mohammed Gobar's book, Afghanistan Dar Maseer-e-Tareekh, is one of the most credible historical researches, and until now has been the source of documentation and information for many writers and researchers."
    "Mir Ghulam Mohammed Gobar, not only as a historian but also as a fighter for freedom, is famous and loved. At the time of occupation of Afghanistan by England, he was a renowned liberal who fought for freedom, and later he founded the Watan (Country) Party and the party's official organ, Watan newspaper."
    "Watan newspaper, which many of today's well known writers of Afghanistan cooperated with, was published under supervision and editorship of Gobar, and many of the newspaper's political articles were written by Gobar himself."