The Afghan rule in Kashmir, which lasted for approximately 67 years in the eighteenth century, marked a significant phase in the political, administrative, socio-economic, and cultural transformation of the region. The emergence of the Afghans on the political scene of Kashmir was closely connected with the weakening of Mughal authority and the growing political instability within the province. Although some sections of the local population initially sought Afghan intervention in the hope of relief from the oppression and administrative difficulties of the later Mughal period, their arrival did not bring the anticipated respite and instead intensified the hardships experienced by various sections of Kashmiri society. The Afghan administration largely continued the institutional framework established by the Mughals, while introducing changes in certain offices, particularly those associated with revenue administration. During this period, Kashmir witnessed the appointment of numerous Afghan governors, while political developments in neighbouring regions, particularly Punjab, Lahore, and Sindh, significantly influenced the course of its political history. Heavy taxation, administrative exploitation, and the extraction of local resources placed considerable pressure on the valley’s economy, while the non-Muslim population was particularly vulnerable to various forms of hardship, leading some inhabitants to migrate to neighbouring regions and leaving certain settlements sparsely populated. The economic and social consequences were also reflected in the decline of Kashmir’s traditional arts and crafts, as many artisans were compelled to abandon their occupations to protect their livelihoods and security. At the administrative level, the Afghan rulers did not fundamentally restructure the Mughal system but largely retained its established mechanisms of governance, with modifications in selected provincial offices and revenue practices. At the same time, local elites played an important role in shaping the political conditions of the period and adapting to the changing balance of power.