Control over the treasury in Kabul served as the foundation for Amanullah Khan’s ascension to the Afghan throne in 1919. By seizing this financial center following his father’s death, he effectively sidelined competing claims from his relatives. This tactical maneuver initiated a turbulent decade of rule marked by attempts to fundamentally transform the structure of the Afghan state.
Ascension and Consolidation of Power
Born in 1892 in Paghman, Amanullah Khan was the third son of Emir Habibullah Khan. Following the assassination of his father on 20 February 1919, a succession crisis emerged between Amanullah, who controlled the Kabul treasury, and his uncle Nasrullah, who was declared Emir in Jalalabad. Amanullah secured his position by arresting his uncle and orchestrating a Durbar in April 1919. This court eventually sentenced Nasrullah to life imprisonment for complicity in the assassination, and he was later killed while in custody.
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Amanullah Khan utilized the shifting geopolitical climate to challenge the influence of the United Kingdom over Afghanistan. In May 1919, he ordered a surprise attack against British forces, signaling the start of the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The conflict concluded in an armistice later that year, successfully ending Afghanistan’s status as a protected state and establishing the country’s ability to pursue an independent foreign policy.
Modernization Initiatives
In 1922, Amanullah introduced the Statute of the Supreme Government of Afghanistan, a constitution drafted with the assistance of Foreign Minister Mahmud Tarzi. Approved by 872 tribal elders and officials, the document guaranteed equal rights and individual freedoms. To support these changes, he oversaw the creation of more than 320 schools, including the Telegraph School and the Academy of Basic Medical Sciences. He sought to replace traditional dress codes and promote secular education, with instructors transitioning from Indian to French staff.
Abdication and Exile
Rapid social changes spurred intense opposition, culminating in the Khost rebellion of 1925 and a broader uprising led by Habibullah Kalakani. Faced with an escalating civil war, Amanullah abdicated on 14 January 1929 and fled to British India. He spent his final thirty years living in exile in Europe, ultimately dying in Zurich on 26 April 1960. His remains were subsequently returned to Afghanistan for burial in Jalalabad.
Fast facts
- Born: 1892, Paghman
- Died: 1960, Zurich
- Reign as King: 1926-1929
- Religion: Sunni Islam
- Languages: English
- Awards: Royal Victorian Chain, Order of the White Eagle, Order of the Golden Spur
- Burial site: Jalalabad
Questions readers ask
What caused the downfall of Amanullah Khan?
His abdication in 1929 was forced by a domestic uprising led by Habibullah Kalakani and the onset of the Afghan Civil War.
Where is Amanullah Khan buried?
He is buried in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, near the tomb of his father, Habibullah Khan.
Achievements
- King of Afghanistan (1926–1929)
- Order of the White Eagle
- Order of the Golden Spur
