Afghan Baluchi war rug

This rug depicts a combination of a mid blue background against which are depicted rows of tanks in the centre and around the edge and rows of weapons. It is likely that this rug is in the '10 tank' style of rugs, made in Mazar-e Sharif. They are typified by two columns of tanks in a 'guns up' formation in the centre, which relates to the Soviets retreating with their tanks in a non-aggressive formation. These rugs celebrate the Afghan victory over the Soviets. Afghan war rugs provide an important and unique perspective on the political history of conflict in Afghanistan. War rugs were originally produced as a result of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. The rugs were woven by members of tribal groups with long traditions of carpet weaving including the Hazara, Uzbek, Turkoman and Baluch, who occupy regions on the Afghan-Iran border. Originally intended as souvenirs for the occupying Russian forces, traditional flower, bird , animal and vase motifs were replaced by those inspired by Soviet tanks, helicopters and weapons. Many were sold on to the markets in Kabul and began to be produced for markets in Europe and the United States. War rugs have now been woven to reflect the many periods of conflict that have occurred in Afghanistan; the Soviet invasion (1979-80), the civil war, leadership under Najibullah and the Mujahideen (1993-1996), Taliban rule (1996-2001) and the current 'war against terrorism' (2001- ).