There are some fascinating pictures of Afghanistan in the fifties and sixties at [1]. While I'm sure not all of the country was like that, they do seem show people trying to participate in the modern world. Modern buildings, women working, education, industrial activities, etc.

More pictures at [2] and [3].

[1] http://www.retronaut.co/2010/10/once-upon-a-time-in-afghanis...

[2] http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/07/afghanistan-in-th...

[3] http://englishrussia.com/2011/07/21/the-afghanistan-of-the-5...