Afghanistan's last king, Zahir Shah, ruled from 1933 to 1973. He came to power at age 19 after his father, Nadir Shah, was assassinated. Under his rule, Afghanistan remained neutral in the Cold War and instituted some democratic reforms, making primary education compulsory and opening the first public university. However, his cousin Daoud Khan deposed him in a bloodless coup in 1973 while Zahir Shah was visiting Italy, ending the monarchy and establishing the Republic of Afghanistan.

1. Images Of Afghanistan

3. Zahir Shah