Searching in History: The House of Barakzai of Afghanistan

Nadir Khan became Nadir Shah after deposing King Amanullah in 1929. Amanullah's downfall came no surprise after the late King imposed rapid reformation of the country striking a strong core of traditionalism of Afghans. Barakzai Kings must then rule country respecting tradition yet maintain a course of reform in a slower and gradual pace or face downfall.

Kabul Railway

Nadir Shah’s Reign

Nadir Shah

Nadir Shah needed to reestablish order over all of Afghanistan and pacify different sectors of society before they question the legitimacy of the dynasty. In 1931 he worked to cement his hold on power by mobilizing a 40,000 man army to secure his regime. He pacified tribal leaders and clerics by reinstating their authorities. He enacted a new Constitution similar to that of 1923, but filtered out the radical reforms in it.

Reforms and modernization efforts, nonetheless, continued but in slower and gradual phase than Amanullah’s reign. Nadir wanted gradual progress amidst the strong traditionalist climate of Afghanistan’s society. Some schools reopened and infrastructure development continued. He also supported the expansion of enterprises by contributing to the foundation of the Ashami Company or the Afghan National Bank.

Nadirs Shah’s reign proved to be brief because on November 8, 1933, he too fell from an assassin’s bullet caused by a blood feud with another branch of the Barakzai Clan – the Charkhi. The assassination resulted with the succession of Zahir Shah – the last of the Barakzai rulers.

Zahir Shah’s Reign – In the Shadow of the Prime Ministers

Zahir Shah came to power at the young age of 19. His uncles and the brothers of the late King wielded the power over state affairs. 3 successive Prime Minister ruled Afghanistan in his time until he decided to wield real political power in 1961.

Zahir Shah, 1930's

Muhammad Hashim, Zahir Shah’s uncle, took the position of Prime Minister in 1931 and held it until 1946. Under his tenure, he expanded the Kingdom’s foreign relation including with the United States and strengthening existing ones, especially with Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. He also masterminded a massive infrastructure development project in southern Afghanistan called the Helmand Valley Project. He stirred the country to neutrality during World War II as well as successfully including Afghanistan in the United Nation. His rule, however, came marred by his authoritarian rule. Critics of the government either went into prison or executed. He step down as Prime Minister in 1946 giving way to his brother Shah Mahmoud who served as Premier from 1946 to 1953.

Shah Mahmoud took a lesser brutal rule than his brother. He released political prisoners and promoted many civil rights, such as freedom of the press, student activism, and opposition parties. In 1951, however, he turned against his liberal reforms seeing a possible defeat in the 1952 election. Just like his predecessor, he staged a crackdown on opposition, student activist, and the press.

The Pashtunistan Question, however, dragged down Shah Mahmoud’s government. The issue of Pashtun lands in the British India side continued and transpired even after the British left. After Pakistan declared independence in 1947, the Durand Line remained to the irritation of Afghanistan. The latter began to fight for those lands and tensions mount between the countries. The tensions led to the blocking of inbound trade to Afghanistan that affected the economy. This resulted to the fall of Shah Mahmoud’s government in 1953.

Daoud Mohammad, Zahir Shah’s cousin, assumed the position of Prime Minister until 1961. He proved himself to be both a reformer and an authoritarian. He promoted women’s rights and supported the expansion of the education system. Moreover, he launched Afghanistan’s first 5-year plan to contribute in the country’s modernization with the Soviet Union as a model. He also, however, continued to be repressive clamping down on opposition and critics.

In foreign affairs, he enjoyed tremendous economic aid from both the US and the Soviet Union. As the 2 superpowers competed for influence in the midst of the Cold War, Afghanistan once again played another strategic role in another Great Game. His relations with the Soviet Union, however, became well noted and it fed fears that he leaned more towards the Soviets.

A diplomatic crisis with Pakistan, however, flared up once more in 1961. Afghanistan once again suffered economically that brought massive discontent. The Barakzai House feared for its life as Muslim monarchy fell one by one such as in Egypt, Iraq, and briefly in Iran under Mohammad Mosadeq. The royal family forced Daoud to resign in 1961. Zahir Shah then took the reins of power personally.

Zahir Shah’s Rule – New Demoracy Period

Zahir Shah, 1963

Zahir presented himself as a modern enlighten monarch. Even prior to his self-rule in 1961, he had gradually taken governmental responsibilities. Upon his ascension, he normalized relations with Pakistan. Then on September 1964, he called another Loya Jirga to discuss a new constitution. The new constitution banned royal family from political participation as well as the establishment of a bicameral parliament. Elections then held in 1965 and a new parliament convened from diverse background. New reforms then further including improvement in women’s rights.

Political situation, however, turned against Zahir. New factors came along traditionalism and tribalism. Communist Afghan began to organize underground and in 1967 they established the People’s Democratic Party. On the other, Islamist who adhered strictly to the teachings of the Koran and absolute obedience to the Sharia Law formed the Jamiat-i-Islami. These parties grew as they recruit from the Afghan youth especially those studying in universities.

Crisis descended upon Afghanistan from 1969 that fanned the flames of discontent and influence of the Communist and Islamist. From 1969 to 1972, a famine struck Afghanistan killing 100,000. With field dry, taxation collapse. Worst, many farmers and their children went to the cities for jobs which did not exist. Unemployment and financial challenges confronted Zahir Shah.

1973 proved to be a pivotal moment in Zahir Shah’s rule and Afghanistan’s history. In the midst of crisis, Zahir Shah went to Europe for a treatment. While in oversees, Zahir’s cousin, the former Prime Minister Daoud Mohammad staged a political come back. With the support of Soviet trained military supporters, they orchestrated a coup installing Daoud Mohammad as leader. Daoud then abolished the monarchy and declared a republic with himself as its first President. In a stroke, the Barakzai Dynasty that ruled Afghanistan for more than a century came to an end.

Summing Up

The Barakzai Dynasty ruled Afghanistan for just about a century and a half. On that period, they steered Afghanistan in the turbulent years of changes in world history. They led Afghanistan into 3 wars and treaded carefully during the first Great Game between the Russians and the British and the second Great Game called the Cold War. They strived to establish their rule firmly and instituted administrative reforms meeting both successes and failures. Most of all they strived to modernize the country, but faced a though opposition from deeply implanted local traditions and Islam. The end for the dynasty came swift as rivalry within the family led to the abolition of the Kingdom and establishment of a Republic.

Dost Mohammad

Bibliography:

Wahab, Shaista & Barry Youngerman. A Brief History of Afghanistan. New York, New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2010.