Answer:
It was a German plan to overthrow Zahir Shah and reinstate anti-British Amanullah Khan on the throne of Kabul. Despite some diplomatic and ground preparations, it was Hitler who called off this plan in 1939.
Short thread.
It was a German plan to overthrow Zahir Shah and reinstate anti-British Amanullah Khan on the throne of Kabul. Despite some diplomatic and ground preparations, it was Hitler who called off this plan in 1939.
Short thread.
Germans & Ottomans had tried once before in 1915-16 with the Niedermayer–Hentig Diplomatic Expedition to rile up Afghanistan against the British. The mission carried with it presents, promises and Fatwa from the Ottomans to wage Jehad against the British. 
But the mission failed to achieve its main objective.
Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to use the frontier tribes of Waziristan against the British - who were already resisting the British.
Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to use the frontier tribes of Waziristan against the British - who were already resisting the British.
However, few years later, Amanullah Khan would wrestle out Afghanistan from the British influence to complete freedom with the help of tribes of Waziristan.
If, and how much did the German-Ottoman expedition influence Amanullah's war of independence is another question though.
If, and how much did the German-Ottoman expedition influence Amanullah's war of independence is another question though.
By the way, it was the second time Ottomans failed to win over favors from the Afghans. They had tried in vain to win support from Afghanistan against Russia in 1877.
In the start of World War II, Germany approached USSR to work on the Amanullah Project which envisaged to restore the anti-British Amanullah Khan on the throne, and there had been some understanding and plans developed. But Hitler rejected in the plan in the end of 1939.
However, Germans sent over many undercover agents to Afghanistan, and India on sabotage missions and to help raise rebellion, especially among the Pashtuns, against the British.
German agents Oberdöffer, Hermann Brandt, Dietrich Witzel-Kim etc., and tens of their local agents worked on multiple missions in the region. They also tried to recruit Mirza Ali Khan aka Fakir of Ipi.
All these efforts, however, did not bear any significant results.
All these efforts, however, did not bear any significant results.
Lets not forget Bhagat Ram Talwar - the Pashtun Hindu from Mardan - who might well have failed the Germans in achieving any material success in their missions against the British in India.
