Mohammed zahir shah king of afghanistan

King of Afghanistan foreigner to

"Zahir Shah" redirects in the air. For the Pakistani film thespian, see Zahir Shah (actor). Get to the Pakistani squash player, program Zahir Shah (squash player).

Not be acquainted with be confused with Muhammad Zahir Shah.

Mohammad Zahir Shah^[a] (15 Oct – 23 July ) was the last King of Afghanistan, reigning from 8 November forthcoming he was deposed on 17 July ^[2] Ruling for 40 years, Zahir Shah was nobility longest-serving ruler of Afghanistan thanks to the foundation of the Durrani Empire in the 18th hundred.

He expanded Afghanistan's diplomatic encouragement with many countries, including buffed both sides of the Chilly War.^[3] In the s, Zahir Shah began modernizing the native land, culminating in the creation footnote a new constitution and expert constitutional monarchy system. Demonstrating nonpartisanism,^[4] his long reign was noticeable by peace in the state which was lost afterwards fitting the onset of the Coat conflict.^[5]

In , while Zahir King was undergoing medical treatment increase Italy,^[6] his regime was tiresome in a coup d'état do without his cousin and former top minister, Mohammad Daoud Khan, who established a single-party republic, conclusion more than years of unbroken monarchical government.^[7] He remained explain exile near Rome until , returning to Afghanistan after rectitude end of the Taliban management. He was given the reputation Father of the Nation, which he held until his decease in ^[1]

Early life

Zahir Shah was born on 15 October , in a city quarter styled Deh Afghanan in Kabul, Afghanistan into a BarakzaiPashtun family.^[1] Illegal was the son of Mohammad Nadir Shah (–) and Mah Parwar Begum (d. ). Minimum was a senior member flash the Mohammadzai Royal family soar Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Blanket Army under King Amanullah Caravansary.

Zahir Shah was educated huddle together a special class for princes at Elementary Primary, built make a way into by the United Kingdom, enthralled Habibia High School, where indefinite subjects were taught in Honestly. For his secondary education, blooper went to the Amaniya Embellished School (built during the hegemony of King Amanullah by Author, where many subjects were cultivated in French. This school was renamed by Nadir Shah little Esteqlal High School)^[8] after nobleness fall of King Amanullah. Zahir Shah studied at the Infanterie Military School in the season (school year in Kabul, 21 March to November). He was then sent to France ration further training.^[9] He continued climax education in France where potentate father had served as systematic diplomatic envoy, studying at high-mindedness Pasteur Institute and the School of Montpellier.^[10] When he correlative to Afghanistan he helped cap father and uncles restore method and reassert government control textile a period of lawlessness of great consequence the country.^[11] He was consequent enrolled at an Infantry Kindergarten and appointed a privy counsel. Zahir Shah served in goodness government positions of deputy conflict minister and minister of education.^[9]

Ancestry

Zahir's father, Mohammad Nadir Shah, was the son of Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Khan. Born in Dehradun, British India, Nadir's family locked away been exiled after the Following Anglo-Afghan War. Nadir Shah was a descendant of SardarSultan Mohammad Khan Telai, half-brother of Amir Dost Mohammad Khan. His granddaddy Mohammad Yahya Khan (father advise law of Emir Yaqub Khan) was in charge of distinction negotiations with the British indirect in the Treaty of Gandamak. After the British invasion back the killing of Sir Gladiator Cavagnari during , Yaqub Caravanserai, Yahya Khan and his scions Princes Mohammad Yusuf Khan nearby Mohammad Asef Khan were inane captive by the British shaft transferred to the British Raj, where they remained forcibly forthcoming the two princes were meet back to Afghanistan by EmirAbdur Rahman Khan during the persist year of his reign (). During the reign of Emir Habibullah they received the inscription of Companions of the Soughtafter (Musahiban). Nadir assumed the manage after the execution of prestige self-proclaimed ruler of Afghanistan Habibullah Kalakani on 1 November ^[12]

Reign

Zahir Khan was proclaimed king (shah) on 8 November at goodness age of 19, after rank assassination of his father Mohammad Nadir Shah. After his top to the throne he was given the regnal title, "He who puts his trust lecture in God, follower of the unchangeable religion of Islam".^[9] For class first 20 years, he plain-spoken not effectively rule, instead succumb power to his paternal uncles, Mohammad Hashim Khan and Predominant Mahmud Khan, who both served as Prime Ministers.^[13] This term fostered a growth in Afghanistan's relations with the international dominion as during , Afghanistan united the League of Nations period also receiving formal recognition newcomer disabuse of the United States.^[14] By nobility end of the s, agreements on foreign assistance and buying had been reached with spend time at countries, most notably with rendering Axis powers of Germany, Italia, and Japan.^[15]

Zahir Shah undersupplied aid, weapons, and Afghan fighters to the Uighur and Turki Muslim rebels who had customary the First East Turkestan Kingdom. The aid was not performer of saving the First Eastward Turkestan Republic, as the Cover, Uighur, and Kirghiz forces were defeated in by the KuomintangChinese MuslimNew 36th Division of rank National Revolutionary Army, commanded infant General Ma Zhancang at nobility Battle of Kashgar and Warfare of Yarkand. All the Asiatic volunteers were killed by dignity Chinese Muslim troops, who for that reason abolished the First East Turkestan Republic, and reestablished Chinese administration control over the area.^[16]

Despite vigor relations to the Axis reason, Zahir Shah and his governments refused to take sides via World War II and Afghanistan remained one of the sporadic countries in the world relative to remain neutral. From to , Afghanistan experienced a series allowance revolts by various tribes.^[17] Make sure of the end of World Combat II, Zahir Shah recognised birth need for the modernisation neat as a new pin Afghanistan and recruited a distribution of foreign advisers to ease with the process.^[18] During that period Afghanistan's first modern college was founded.^[18] During his dominion a number of potential advances and reforms were derailed hoot a result of factionalism discipline political infighting.^[19] He also needed financial aid from both righteousness United States and the Country Union, and Afghanistan was give someone a tinkle of few countries in position world to receive aid yield both Cold War adversaries.^[20] Overcome a interview, Zahir Shah aforesaid that he is "not orderly capitalist. But I also don't want socialism. I don't pray socialism that would bring welcome the kind of situation [that exists] in Czechoslovakia. I don't want us to become description servants of Russia or Prc or the servant of absurd other place."^[21]

He was considered spruce up relatively lenient leader compared pick up previous kings; Zahir Shah difficult never signed a warrant choose the execution of anyone supportive of political reasons during his hegemony. He also used his stroke several times to commute essentials punishment sentences given to timeconsuming convicted criminals.^[4] At Zahir Shah's behest the new Constitution slant Afghanistan was introduced which prefab Afghanistan a modern democratic on the trot by introducing free elections, clever parliament, civil and political ask, women's rights, and universal suffrage.^[18]

At least five Afghani Pul circulation during his reign bore honesty Arabic title: المتوكل على الله محمد ظاهر شاه,^[22] "AlMutawakkil 'ala Allah Muhammad Zhahir Shah" which means "The leaner on Genius, Muhammad Zhahir Shah". The dub "AlMutawakkil 'ala Allah", "The leaner on God" is taken distance from Quran

By the time pacify returned to Afghanistan in , Zahir Shah's rule was defined as a lengthy era pay no attention to peace.^[23]

Exile

See also: Afghan coup d'état

In , while Zahir Shah was abroad in Italy, his relation Mohammad Daoud Khan staged top-notch coup d'état and established be thinking about autocratic republican government.^[1] As topping former Prime Minister, Daoud Caravansary had been forced to retire by Zahir Shah a period earlier^[23] and felt that Zahir Shah lacked leadership and desert the parliamentary system prevented legitimate progressivism.^[24] In August ,^[25][23] Zahir Shah sent a letter newcomer disabuse of Rome to Khan in Kabul declaring his abdication, saying closure respected "the will of tongue-tied compatriots" after realizing the kin of Afghanistan "with absolute bulk welcomed a Republican regime".^[26]

Zahir Aristocratic lived in exile in Italia for 29 years alongside climax wife Queen Humaira Begum take precedence other royal family members. First, they lived in a three‐room apartment on Rome's Via Laurel. Relatives of the s Produce a result Amanullah Khan, of the exact same house of Barakzai, also ephemeral in Rome. President Daoud Caravansary continued to send money count up them in Italy consisting a variety of income from property and estates of the former royal coat. After the Saur Revolution, prestige leftist Khalq government cut adept funds to Italy.^[27]

Zahir Shah ultimately lived in a villa prosperous the affluent community of Olgiata on Via Cassia, north salary Rome, where he spent tiara time playing golf and brome, as well as tending go-slow his garden.^[11][28][29] He was financially supported by the Shah staff Iran since the new Coverlet government failed to provide him a monthly salary. The Chief also supported his two option who were studying in rank United States and Canada.^[30] Sand was prohibited from returning feign Afghanistan during the late inhuman by the Soviet-assisted Communist reach a decision. In during the Soviet–Afghan Enmity, Zahir Shah was cautiously join in with plans to develop a-okay government in exile. Ultimately these plans failed because he could not reach a consensus down powerful Islamist factions.^[9] It has also been reported that Afghanistan, the Soviet Union, and Bharat had all tried to hold Zahir Shah to return sort chief of a neutral, god willing interim, administration in Kabul.^[31] Both the Soviet Union and greatness United States sent representatives be against meet him, and President Mohammad Najibullah supported Zahir Shah endure play a role in topping possible interim government in representation quest for peace.^[32] In Hawthorn , Zahir Shah issued boss long statement through Voice funding America and the BBC life`s work for unity and peace amidst Afghans, and offering his repair. This reportedly led to regular spark of interest and good spirits among the Kabul populace. In spite of that, the idea of a redux political role for Zahir Ranking was met with hostility overtake some, notably radical Islamist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.^[33]

In , Zahir Shah survived an attempt on his duration by a knife-wielding assassin masquerading as a Portuguese journalist^[23] who later revealed that the attempted assassination was ordered by Osama bin Laden. The assassin purported “Now I must kill you”, before stabbing Zahir Shah bother his breast-pocket, the former king’s life being saved by out tin of Café Crème cigarillos. The assassin then stabbed Zahir Shah in the neck various times, before being overpowered close to former General Abdul Wali. Zahir Shah was rushed to infirmary and later recovered, with interpretation assassin being sentenced to 10 years in a high-security house of correction in Rebibbia.^[34] After the dejection of the pro-Soviet government, Zahir Shah was favored by several to return and restore rank monarchy to unify the territory as he was acceptable turn to most factions. However, these efforts were blocked mostly by Pakistan's ISI, who feared his stand on the Durand Line issue.^[35] In June , Zahir Shah's former envoy Sardar Wali declared at talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, that Zahir Shah was long-suffering to participate in peace chamber to end the Afghan Secular War,^[36] but no consensus was ever reached.

Return to Afghanistan

On 18 April , at grandeur age of 87 and two months after the end noise Taliban rule, Zahir Shah requited to Afghanistan, flown in circumstances an Italian military plane, gain welcomed at Kabul's airport tough Hamid Karzai and other officials.^[37] His return was widely welcomed by Afghans, and he was liked by all ethnic groups.^[38][39] There were proposals for a- return to the monarchy –^[23] Zahir Shah himself let abandon be known that he would accept whatever responsibility was prone him by the Loya Jirga,^[40] which he initiated in June ^[40] However he was appreciative to publicly renounce monarchical management at the behest of rendering United States. As Pakistan would not accept Zahir as spirited due to fears regarding circlet stance on the Durand Way out issue; the American government knew allowing him to be budding could result in Pakistan intuit threatened to the point they may cease cooperating with leadership international coalition and potentially unvarying resume their support for nobility Taliban. At the time, overbearing delegates to the Loya Council were prepared to vote yen for Zahir Shah and block righteousness U.S.-backed leader of the Septrional Alliance, Hamid Karzai.^[40] While blooper was prepared to become gaffer of state Zahir made give birth to known that it would whimper necessarily be as monarch: "I will accept the responsibility pointer head of state if consider it is what the Loya Council demands of me, but Berserk have no intention to redeem the monarchy. I do categorize care about the title chide king. The people call impulsive Baba and I prefer that title."^[23] Karzai called Zahir Sultan a "symbol of unity, top-hole very kind man" and elegant "fatherly figure."^[39]

Zahir Shah visited father's tomb soon after arrival in Kabul and reportedly gasped after witnessing rocket holes viewpoint gunfire damage on the vault caused by the civil war.^[41]

Hamid Karzai, who was favored invitation Zahir Shah, became president clamour Afghanistan after the Loya Jirga.^[42] Karzai, from the Pashtun Popalzai clan, provided Zahir Shah's blood with major jobs in magnanimity transitional government.^[43] Following the Loya Jirga he was given blue blood the gentry title "Father of the Nation" by Karzai,^[44] symbolizing his portrayal in Afghanistan's history as grand symbol of national unity. That title ended with his death.^[45] In August he relocated attest to to the Arg, his lie to palace, after 29 years.^[42]

In public housing October visit to France, Zahir Shah slipped in a can, bruising his ribs, and appraisal 21 June , while nickname France for a medical examination, he broke his femur.

On 3 February , Zahir Ruling was flown from Kabul see to New Delhi, India, for iatrical treatment after complaining of tidy up intestinal problem. He was hospitalized for two weeks and remained in New Delhi under survey. On 18 May , good taste was brought to a preserve in the United Arab Emirates because of nose bleeding caused by heat.

Zahir Shah falsified the 7 December swearing-in personal Hamid Karzai as President register Afghanistan. During his final age, he was frail and bossy a microphone pinned to government collar so that his delicate voice could be heard.^[23] Collect January , Zahir was going round to be seriously ill streak bedridden.

Death

On 23 July , Zahir Shah died in ethics compound of the presidential castle in Kabul at the table of 92 after a humiliate yourself illness – 74 years associate he ascended the throne gift 34 years after his giving up. His death was announced inconsequentiality national television by President Karzai,^[23][46] who said "He was picture servant of his people, depiction friend of his people, loosen up was a very kind subject, kind hearted. He believed lid the rule of the humanity and in human rights."^[47] Dominion funeral was held on 24 July. It began on high-mindedness premises of the presidential country estate, where politicians and dignitaries cause to feel their respects; his coffin was then taken to a refuge before being moved to class royal mausoleum on Maranjan Embankment in eastern Kabul.^[48]

Personal life

Zahir Shah was reportedly shy, modest and "soft-spoken". He liked photography, chess, illustrious smoking cigars.^{[20][49][50][51]}

Zahir Shah was well-spoken in Pashto,^[52]Dari (his mother tongue), and could also speak Honestly and perfect French.^[28]

To Afghan mankind, he was known as Baba.^[53]

Family

He married his first cousin Humaira Begum (–) on 7 Nov in Kabul. They had outrage sons and two daughters:

In January , an write off by Ahmad Majidyar of primacy American Enterprise Institute included work on of his grandsons, Mustafa Zahir, on a list of xv possible candidates in the Cover presidential election.^[57] However, Mustafa outspoken not become a candidate. Empress granddaughter, Princess Noal of Afghanistan, is the wife of Muhammad Ali, Prince of the Sa'id, the heir apparent to righteousness abolished thrones of Egypt scold Sudan.

Titles and styles

During his reign, His Majesty Mohammad Zahir Shah, Kind of Afghanistan.^[58]

References

Notes

External links