Mohammad Zahir Shah (Zahir Shah Mohammad)

(p. 1914)
Born October 15, 1914 in Kabul. The throne after the murder by terrorists of his father, Mohammad Nadir Shah, in November 1933. For many years, remained in the shadows, without interfering with current policy. For the first time declared itself in 1964, proposing a constitution establishing a constitutional monarchy in Afghanistan, and the banning of the royal relatives occupy top positions in the State. Tried to implement several projects for economic development in the country with the support of the U.S. and the USSR, while in international politics took a position of neutrality. In domestic policy, faced with the requirements of autonomy from the Pashtun tribes living along the border with Pakistan. He was deposed in a bloodless coup 17 July 1973, during his stay in Italy, and abdicated the throne on Aug. 24, 1973. Power was seized by a cousin Zahir Shah, General Sardar Mohammad Daoud, who proclaimed Afghanistan a republic and himself - the president. Until the events of autumn 2001, Zahir Shah lived in Rome