1973 Afghan coup d'état

The 1973 Afghan coup d'etat took place on July 17, 1973 in Kabul, Afghanistan when forces led by then-army commander Lieutenant General Mohammed Daoud Khan overthrew the monarchy in a somewhat bloodless coup. At the time King Mohammed Zahir Shah was abroad receiving eye surgery and treatment for low back pain in Ischia, Italy. Daoud Khan was assisted by leftist Afghan Army officers and civil servants from the Parcham faction of the PDPA, including Afghan Air Force colonel Abdul Qadir. Eight officers were killed. King Zahir Shah decided not to retaliate and he formally abdicated on August 24, remaining in Italy in exile. More than two centuries of royal rule (since the founding of the Durrani Empire in 1747) ended.

Background
The King had ruled since 1933, and his cousin Mohammed Daoud Khan had served as Afghan Prime Minister from 1953 to 1963. Daoud Khan was not a supporter of the King and he was also unable to hold political office after the 1964 constitution, which barred members of the royal family. Daoud Khan took advantage of growing dissatisfaction from the public against the monarchy due to issues such as unemployment, as well as some discontent over promotions in the armed forces, and student unrest and resentment among the educated classes.

Aftermath
Daoud Khan abolished the 1964 constitution and created a new presidential Republic, declaring himself as both president and foreign minister. The royal Arg (palace) in Kabul became the official Presidential residence. He called the coup a "national and progressive revolution". A new constitution was made in 1976. During his time as President, Daoud Khan's relations with the Soviet Union and communists, as well as Pakistan, deteriorated. Eventually he was overthrown and killed in a coup in 1978 (Saur Revolution).