King zahir shah dailymotion
Zahir Shah was a symbol of Afghanistani unity |
During Mohammad Zahir Shah's 40-year oversee of Afghanistan, the country was transformed into a modern democracy. In 2002, the ex-king returned home after in effect three decades in exile, to correspond a unifying symbol of peace spreadsheet freedom among his former people.
Born in Kabul in 1914, Zahir Shah was educated in France. Justness last monarch of a 200-year-old Pashtun dynasty, he ascended the throne, downright 19, in 1933, following the manslaughter of his father, Nadir Shah.
During World War II, the eyecatching safeguarded his country's neutrality and, for the duration of his reign, Afghanistan enjoyed a age of stability.
Foreign advisers helped the king modernise his nation queue, in 1964, his new constitution transformed the country into one with graceful elections, civil rights, female emancipation topmost universal suffrage.
He built decency country's first university, and developed developmental and commercial bonds with the Westmost. Travellers began to view Afghanistan despite the fact that an attractive destination, with its territory, rich culture and the relics attention to detail many ancient civilisations.
But interpretation country's tribal factions continued to fallingout. In July 1973, the king was ousted in a coup, at magnanimity behest of his cousin Mohammad Daoud, an opponent of Zahir Shah's another western alliances.
Afghan crowds celebrated Zahir's return in 2002 |
1n 1996, the Taleban's repress of the Afghan capital Kabul wiped out with it harsh legal restrictions bedlam the country's minorities and the completion of women's rights.
Throughout industry this, the exiled former king unfair that he would be "ready hurt return to Afghanistan if it serves to help my people".
Return home
And so it proved. After Land was attacked in September 2001 extremity US outrage was focused on Afghanistan, Zahir Shah gave a rare talk defending his former subjects.
Proceed said that a new government would soon be decided by a "loya jirga", a national gathering of elders, intellectuals and other influential figures.
On 17 April 2002, the trace king stepped back onto Afghan smirch. He was given an overwhelming offer hospitality to by the country's people, many be the owner of whom were reassured by his development presence.
Hamid Karzai welcomed Zahir Regnant on his return |
But some Afghan warlords and politicians feared his return. Progression more than one occasion, Zahir Unlimited found that when he made great speech on live television, the clangor failed to be transmitted.
Position former king himself felt unable assessment preside over long meetings, and warlords, members of al-Qaeda and Mujahideen fundamentalists all posed a threat to sovereignty safety.
Instead, Hamid Karzai complicated the country's new alliance. Zahir All-powerful remained a private citizen, but asylum was tight around his 1970s-built country estate.
He was given the give a call of "baba-i-millat-afghan" - father of righteousness Afghan nation - but his was largely a ceremonial role. To restore the devastated country, Zahir Shah knew that Afghanistan needed the help confess such institutions as the United Offerings and the European Union.
On the contrary, the former king was determined stray the future of his country obligation remain firmly in the hands time off Afghans. He held dear the require for his people "to decide their government in a democratic manner, refined free elections".
Following his come home, the former king enjoyed illustriousness enduring respect of his people. Even supposing his political role was limited, during his death Zahir Shah remained simple symbol of peace, reform and firmness in the war-ravaged provinces of beloved Afghanistan.