King
Zahir
Shah was born on 16 October 1914 into the Pashtun
Barakzai dynasty of Afghanistan. He was a descendant of
Sardar Muhamad Khan Peshawari, the half brother of Dost
Muhamad Khan who sold Peshawar for gold and sided with
Ranjeet Khan Against his half brother in Kabul, Dost
Muhamad. His Great Grandfather Yahya Khan was
responsible for the Mediation between Yaqub Khan and the
Brtitsh during the Gandomak Negotiations which is known
as the Gandomak Treaty. After the signing of the treaty,
Yaqub Khan and Yahya Khan fled to British India.
On 8 November 1933, he was proclaimed king at the age of nineteen after the assasination of his cruel father, Mohammed Nadir Shah, which he witnessed.
In 1964, he promulgated a new constitution. He instituted programs of political and economic modernization, ushering in a democratic legislature, and education for women. These reforms put him at odds with the religious militants who opposed him.
On 8 November 1933, he was proclaimed king at the age of nineteen after the assasination of his cruel father, Mohammed Nadir Shah, which he witnessed.
In 1964, he promulgated a new constitution. He instituted programs of political and economic modernization, ushering in a democratic legislature, and education for women. These reforms put him at odds with the religious militants who opposed him.
