Mohammad Daoud Khan Biography

Mohammad Daoud Khan is appointed Minister of Defence in the royal government.

Daoud promotes state-led development, military expansion, and stronger central administration.

Mohammad Daoud Khan becomes prime minister and begins a decade of centralized government.

Daoud receives Soviet leaders Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev and accepts major development assistance.

Daoud's government acquires substantial Soviet military equipment and training.

Women of the royal family appear unveiled at public independence celebrations with government support.

Pakistan closes its border after relations deteriorate over Daoud's support for Pashtunistan.

Daoud resigns after King Zahir Shah seeks constitutional government and reduced tension with Pakistan.

Mohammad Daoud Khan becomes Afghanistan's first president after overthrowing the monarchy.

Daoud proclaims the Republic of Afghanistan and assumes executive authority.

Daoud begins removing Parcham-linked officers and officials who had supported his republican coup.

Daoud seeks Iranian economic assistance while reducing Afghanistan's dependence on the Soviet Union.

Daoud establishes the National Revolutionary Party as the republic's sole authorized political organization.

The Loya Jirga unanimously elects Daoud president for a six-year term.

A Loya Jirga ratifies a constitution concentrating executive power in the presidency.

Daoud signs a constitution creating a centralized presidential and one-party republic.

A large communist funeral procession for Mir Akbar Khyber prompts Daoud to arrest senior PDPA leaders.

Rebel armour and aircraft attack government positions as Daoud orders loyal forces to resist.

PDPA-aligned military units begin the Saur Revolution against Daoud's government.

Revolutionary troops kill Daoud, ending the first Republic of Afghanistan.

Daoud is killed with members of his family after loyalists are overwhelmed inside the presidential palace.

Daoud refuses to surrender and remains with loyal guards during the final assault on the palace.

Government resistance collapses after revolutionary forces surround and storm the presidential palace.