Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, used his Independence Day speech to sharply criticize King Amanullah Khan—Afghanistan’s independence hero—for attempting to implement “foreign cultural values” following the country’s liberation from British influence in 1919.
“Amanullah Khan disregarded the values of Afghanistan’s Muslim society and tried to impose foreign ways upon the nation,” said Muttaqi, accusing the former monarch of being “immature” in his approach to governance.
Muttaqi referenced the execution of Abdul Rahman Paghmani, then Chief Justice, and his associates, claiming they were killed for opposing the king’s modernization policies. He added that Amanullah Khan “had nowhere left in the country to even spend the night,” alluding to the widespread opposition that eventually led to his exile.
While the Taliban condemn his legacy, King Amanullah Khan is widely celebrated for securing Afghanistan’s full independence and launching sweeping reforms. His reign saw the establishment of girls’ schools, the ratification of the country’s first constitution, the expansion of international diplomatic relations, overseas scholarships, tax reforms, and the banning of polygamy in official practice.
However, critics—including conservative religious factions—have long argued that Amanullah’s rapid push for modernization lacked sensitivity to Afghanistan’s traditional and religious structures. Many historians consider this resistance to be a key factor in his downfall.
