Second Afghan Anti Reform War

Years 1928 1929 Battle deaths 15,000 The political and judicial reforms Amanuallah proposed were equally radical for the time and included the creation of Afghanistans first constitution (in 1923), the guarantee of civil rights (first by decree and later constitutionally), national registration and identity cards for the citizenry, the establishment of a legislative assembly, a court system to enforce new secular penal, civil, and commercial codes, prohibition of blood money, and abolition of subsidies and privileges for tribal chiefs and the royal family.Although sharia (Islamic law) was to be the residual source of law, it regained prominence after the Khost rebellion of 1923 24. Religious leaders, who had gained influence under Habibullah Khan, were unhappy with Amanullahs extensive religious reforms.

Conventional wisdom holds that the tribal revolt that overthrew Amanullah grew out of opposition to his reform program, although those people most affected by his reforms were urban dwellers not universally opposed to his policies, rather than the tribes. Nevertheless, the king had managed to alienate religious leaders and army members.The unraveling began, however, when Shinwari Pashtun tribesmen revolted in Jalalabad in November 1928. When tribal forces advanced on the capital, many of the kings troops deserted. Amanullah faced another threat as well in addition to the Pashtun tribes, forces led by a Tajik tribesman were moving toward Kabul from the north. In January 1929, Amanullah abdicated the throne to his oldest brother, Inayatullah, who ruled for only three days before escaping into exile in India. Amanullahs efforts to recover power by leading a small, ill equipped force toward Kabul failed. The deposed king crossed the border into India and went into exile in Italy.