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It was on this day in 1929 that the British Royal Air Force made their last flight of total 84 flights to rescue & evacuate 586 people from Kabul Afghanistan, including King Enayatullah Khan whose reign lasted only 3 days.
What caused this mass evacuation?
Thread.
What caused this mass evacuation?
Thread.
After King Aman Ullah Khan returned to Kabul from a 7 months long tour of Europe in July 1928, he pursued aggressively his agenda of reforms.
The reforms included taxes, women education, allowed women to drop veil (hijab), set min. age for marriage, promoted western dresses etc.
The reforms included taxes, women education, allowed women to drop veil (hijab), set min. age for marriage, promoted western dresses etc.
Just to make the point, look at this photo of Afghan women in European dress during the ceremonies of Jashen-e Esteqlal Kabul.
Read the caption to know how the British media reported on the 'westernization' of Afghanistan,
The Illustrated London News, Nov 3, 1928.
Read the caption to know how the British media reported on the 'westernization' of Afghanistan,
The Illustrated London News, Nov 3, 1928.
Also the first ever batch of Afghan girls students was sent to Turkey for medical training during that time.
Queen Soraya gave up on her veil in public before embarking on the tour of Europe.
Note how woman's dress and veil were the subject of media reports. This angered the people who were influenced by Mullahs and were (still?) tied in the tribal customs.
Note how woman's dress and veil were the subject of media reports. This angered the people who were influenced by Mullahs and were (still?) tied in the tribal customs.
The Shinwari tribe was the first to revolt against the 'un-islamic' agenda, closed the highway b/w Jellalabad and Peshawar, and cut the water supply to the city. Aerial bombing was used by the King to counter the revolts. And then the situation spiraled out of
control as the word spread that 'infidel pilots' were flying those airplanes.
King had previously used aerial bombing to curb the revolt of the Mangal tribes earlier. You may read this short thread if interested.
King had previously used aerial bombing to curb the revolt of the Mangal tribes earlier. You may read this short thread if interested.
When the royal army was focused on the curbing the Shinwari's revolt, one Robin Hood type (reportedly) bandit Habibullah Khan Kalkani started to attack Kabul.
The Shinwaris had demanded reforms to be reversed & the British legation be completely abandoned and
The Shinwaris had demanded reforms to be reversed & the British legation be completely abandoned and
the 21 girls sent to Turkey (mentioned above) be recalled.
The British RAF was tasked with evacuating British & staff of other legations. Their operations ran b/w Dec, 1928 and Feb 25, 1929 successfully evacuating 586 people.
The British RAF was tasked with evacuating British & staff of other legations. Their operations ran b/w Dec, 1928 and Feb 25, 1929 successfully evacuating 586 people.
The legation & airplanes came under frequent fire.
"...the message, “ALL WELL”, is laid out in torn white bedsheets on the grounds, December 1929. The Popham Panels, conveying “44X” can be seen at bottom center (upside down)."
Source:fly.historicwings.com/2013/02/evacua…
"...the message, “ALL WELL”, is laid out in torn white bedsheets on the grounds, December 1929. The Popham Panels, conveying “44X” can be seen at bottom center (upside down)."
Source:fly.historicwings.com/2013/02/evacua…
The civil war forced King Amanullah to flee leaving King Inayatullah on the throne who abdicated just after 3 days to Habibullah Kalkani.
Enayatullah is seen disembarking from RAF Victoria at Risalpur. He was the first ever head of state to flee into exile by air.
Enayatullah is seen disembarking from RAF Victoria at Risalpur. He was the first ever head of state to flee into exile by air.
A rare video of Habibullah Kalkani's forces marching into Kabul.
Habibullah Khan Kalkani then became the king and immediately reversed all the 'un-islamic' reforms. He published his policy in his newspaper Habib-ul-Islam (friend/lover of Islam).
The translation is attached herewith.
courtesy of @DaudJunbish
The translation is attached herewith.
courtesy of @DaudJunbish
For those who can read Persian/Dari has the original excerpt from his newspaper.
courtesy of @DaudJunbish
courtesy of @DaudJunbish
[GRAPHIC]
Habibullah Kalkani rule only lasted 9 months and in Nov 1929, he was arrested by Nadir Shah , stoned to death and their corpses hanged along with his 11 companions.
Photo via facebook.com/QissaKhwani/ph…
Habibullah Kalkani rule only lasted 9 months and in Nov 1929, he was arrested by Nadir Shah , stoned to death and their corpses hanged along with his 11 companions.
Photo via facebook.com/QissaKhwani/ph…
interesting!
Habibullah Kalkani was part of King Amanullah's troops at Khost during the Mangal tribe's revolt in 1924. For some reason, he deserted and later became a bandit, according to the book Kabul Under Siege by Fayz Muhammad, 1999.
Habibullah Kalkani was part of King Amanullah's troops at Khost during the Mangal tribe's revolt in 1924. For some reason, he deserted and later became a bandit, according to the book Kabul Under Siege by Fayz Muhammad, 1999.
King Nadir Shah who retook the throne of Kabul from Kalkani remained King for about four years until 1934 when he was also assassinated.
