Guide Note

Mohammed Zahir Shah was born on October 16, 1914 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He served as the king of Afghanistan from November 8, 1933 - July 17, 1973. Before his reign as king, Zahir Shah served in the offices of deputy war minister and minister of education. On July 23, 2007, Zahir Shah died after a prolonged illness at the age of 92.

Fast Facts

1. Birthname: Mohammed Zahir Shah
2. Birthplace: Kabul, Afghanistan
3. Born: October 16, 1914
4. Attended: Pasteur Institute and the University of Montpellier
5. Fluent in Pashto and Persian
6. King of Afghanistan: 1933-1973
7. Died: 23 July 2007

• 1914: Born
• 1933: Proclaimed as King
• 1934: Afghanistan joined the League of Nations
• 1945: End of World War II
• 1963: Zahir Shah governed on his own
• 1964: New Afghanistanian constitution
• 1973: Underwent eye surgery
• 1973: Reign ended
• Late 70's: Barred from Afghanistan
• 1979: Beginning of Soviet-Afghan War
• 1991: Assassination attempt
• 2002: Return to Afghanistan
• 2004: Attended the swearing in of Hamid Karzai
• 2007: Death