The Afghan Martyrs — Page 30
said, "Bear testimony. 0 land of Kabul, a hideous crime has been perpetrated. 0 the unfortunate land, you have been degraded in the eyes of God as you are the location where a great injustice was committed. II (Tazkira-tush-Shahadatain). From that day on the Rulers nor the subjects of Afghanistan have had any peace. After Habeebulla Khan's assassination on the 20th February 1919 his son Ameer Amaanulla Khan succeeded him to the Afghan throne. As the new King had liberal views he began to attempt to get his country to adopt the western way of life and he therefore became very unpopular. Here and there some tribes and some scholars rose in revolt. Ameer Amanulla Khan failed to suppress the rebellions provoked by the mullahs and in 1929, vacating the throne of Kabul for Bacha Saqqa (water carrier), he fled the country during the night and took refuge in Italy. There he died whilst still in exile. In this way the dynasty of Ameer Habeebulla Khan and Ameer Abdur Rahman Khan were deprived of their monarchy. The government of Bacha Saqqa lasted only a few months. When General Nadir Khan who was then in France returned, he defeated Bacha Saqqa with the help of the Afghan tribes. Then as 'Nadir Shah' he ascended the throne. He was very popular and during his brief reign he introduced many reforms. He was shot dead on 8th November 1933 by a young man named Abdul Khalique. His son Zahir Shah succeeded him and established departments of welfare and reforms, he attempted to bring education within the reach of the common man and established cordial relationships with other countries. In 1973 his first cousin Sardar Daood Khan overthrew him and Zahir Shah also took refuge in Italy. Sardar Daood established a military government and the Russians succeeded in promoting their influence in 1975. Even that government did not last long 30