“The Afghan nation is very difficult to rule, but an honour to lead”
HM Mohammed Zaher Shah
HM Mohammed Zaher Shah
HM Zaher Shah’s life and deeds reveal much about his personality, for he lived, reigned and died according to his deep personal beliefs and convictions. In 1968 during an interview he is quoted as saying “The Afghan nation is very difficult to rule, but an honour to lead.”
His Majesty King Zaher Shah (14 October 1914 – 23 July 2007) was the last king of Afghanistan. He was proclaimed King on November 8th 1933, after the assassination of his father HM Mohammed Nadir Shah. Following his ascension to the throne, he was given the religious title “Al-Mutawakel al-Allah” (He who puts His Faith in God).
He led the country for four decades from 1933 until 1973, a period characterised in Afghanistan as the “Golden Age” by the Afghan people. When the King returned from exile in April 2002, he was given the title of “Baba-e-Millat”, Father of the Nation.
HM Mohammed Zaher Shah dedicated the last years of his life continuing to advance the Afghan peace process and promoting peace and reconciliation among the people of Afghanistan.
The reign of HM Mohammed Zaher Shah is often divided into two phases: The first and longer phase began from his ascension to the throne up to 1964, when a new constitution was approved, introducing a constitutional monarchy. The second phase is dubbed “The Decade of Democracy.”
During the first phase, he was assisted by his uncles and cousins in the affairs of government. However, in the early 1960’s, HM Zaher Shah began to fully exercise his executive powers by carrying out a series of reforms and development projects that led to the 1964 Constitution.
The new Constitution introduced fundamental political and social changes, in particular:
- the separation of power within the State;
- the establishment of an elected bicameral parliament;
- the State’s obligation to provide primary education and gender equality.
The King also ensured that the Constitution promoted basic human rights.
His Majesty believed in a mixed economic system, promoting private investment, while continuing to follow a planned, state-led economic regime. He tried relentlessly to attract foreign aid, especially for large infrastructure development projects.
Believing that the future of the country was in the hands of the youth, the King gave particular priority to education and established the first modern university in Afghanistan. He instituted measures to ensure that opportunities were created for provincial and rural communities and ensured that funding was provided for the education of women.
In July 1973 while the King was abroad receiving medical treatment, a coup d'état led by his cousin Sardar Mohammed Daoud, toppled the monarchy and forced him into exile for a period of 29 years.
During the years of the Soviet invasion and jihad, he provided spiritual support to the freedom fighters by issuing statements. He also received various Mujahedin groups in Rome and frequently interacted with tribal elders.
In 1993, during a time of much bloodshed, HM Mohammed Zaher Shah presented his peace proposal, known as the “Emergency Loya Jirga Initiative.” Based on his life-long belief of respect for the free will of the people, this plan called for the convening of a national assembly to determine the fate of the nation. The plan was adopted – albeit with some modifications – by the UN-led peace process which ended the rule of the Taliban and established the present regime in Afghanistan.
HM Mohammed Zaher Shah returned to his homeland in Spring 2002. He spent the rest of his days in Kabul, receiving people daily from all walks of life, urging them to work for peace and unity.
The Father of the Nation and last King of Afghanistan, HM Mohammed Zaher Shah passed away on 23 July 2007.
He was laid to rest in the family mausoleum on Tapa-e- Maranjan, next to his father King Mohammed Nader Shah.
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