Mohammed Daoud Khan

Politician, first President of Afghanistan (1973-1978)

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Lived 1909–1978, aged 69

Wikipedia
50 languages
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Era
1909–1978
Aged 69
Known for
The Forbidden Reel
2020

Summary

Updated 2026-06-08

He dismantled Afghanistan's monarchy in a bloodless coup, installed himself as president, then purged the communists — who returned five years later to kill him.

Biography

About

Born into the Afghan royal family in 1909, Mohammad Daoud Khan served as a provincial governor and military officer before his cousin, King Mohammad Zahir Shah, appointed him prime minister in 1953. After a decade in the role, frustrated that the King wouldn't adopt a one-party system, Khan seized power in 1973 with backing from Afghan Army officers and declared himself president of the new Republic of Afghanistan. He ruled through an autocratic one-party structure under his National Revolutionary Party, pursuing educational and social reforms while purging communists from government — policie…

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