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 Amanullah Khan (1892-1960), emir (sovereign) of Afghanistan, had been
attempting to modernize his country when opponents to his internal reforms
caused a large-scale revolt in November 1928. In mid-January 1929, Amanullah
abdicated in favor of his weak older brother, but an outlaw leader led a strong
band to capture the Afghan capital of Kabul and proclaimed himself emir as
Habibullah Ghazi (d. 1929). At Kandahar, Amanullah assembled an army and began a
march on Kabul to retake the throne in the spring of 1929; he was defeated en
route and fled from the country. Other claimants to the throne were also
unsuccessful. General Muhammad Nadir Khan (1880-1933), an Afghan officer and
Amanullah's cousin, organized an army after returning from Europe and marched
against Habibullah, defeating him and taking Kabul in October 1929. Habibullah
was captured and executed, and his victorious foe took the throne, renaming
himself Nadir Shah. With British assistance, he instituted reforms, restored
order and placated the loyal followers of Amanullah. In 1932, he established a
constitutional government.
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