muhammad muhammad july september politician statesman cold war born near educated started political career journalist later founding members elected party general secretary congress ran candidate parliamentary election failed secure seat published issue party newspaper closed shortly assassination led revolution initiate revolution establish communist presidency albeit short lived marked controversies launched land reform january proved highly unpopular government reforms led popular backlash initiated civil war despite repeated attempts reign proved unable persuade soviet_union intervene support restoration civil order beginning rule government divided factions leader majority minority shortly rule began started purge government party led high ranking members sent facto exile assigned serve overseas ambassadors reign marked cult personality centered cultivated relationship turned sour rule ultimately resulting murder september orders early life career born july peasant family afghanistan oldest children attended village school leaving age work port city bombay india met merchant family employed clerk encounter communism night courses met communist_party india members impressed discussions social justice communist values important event encounter nationalist leader neighboring india admirer works started working minister economics introduced russians later deputy head known country author poet best known book bang highlights socio economic difficulties facing workers peasants works translated russian language soviet_union work viewed scientific socialist themes hailed afghanistan visit greeted head communist_party soviet_union members prime suppression common language skills sent united_states months began denouncing government king accused government earned publicity united_states attracted unfavorable attention authorities home relieved post ordered repatriated stopped short placing arrest short period unemployment started working interpreter quit job established translation company years later started working quit focus establishment communist political party founding congress held home won competitive election post general secretary january second secretary ran candidate september parliamentary election win seat shortly election launched major left wing newspaper afghanistan paper banned month printing years founding split factions largest included masses led banner led main differences factions ideological supporting creation like state wanted establish broad democratic april prominent leftist named assassinated murder blamed republic afghanistan death served rallying point pro communist fearing communist coup état ordered arrest certain leaders including placing house arrest april revolution initiated reportedly house arrest khan killed day family rapidly gained control chairman role responsibilities president chairman literally prime minister western country renamed installing regime april presidency establishment purge appointed chairman chairman retaining post general secretary initially formed government consisted deputy chairman minister foreign affairs deputy chairman internal problems soon arose prominent accused faction government purge began faction prominent members sent country ambassador czechoslovakia ambassador iran internal struggle found tense rivalry begun faction control recalled czechoslovakia returning afghanistan went hiding friend ambassador yugoslavia feared execution returned followed consequently stripped official titles political authority socio economic changes land reform government initiated land reform january attempted limit land family exceeded limit saw property government compensation leadership believed reform meet popular approval rural population weakening power reform declared complete government proclaimed hectares approximately acres government declared families percent population negatively affected land reform contrary government expectations reform popular productive agricultural reform led rising discontent realized degree popular dissatisfaction reform quickly abandoned policy land reform gradually implemented later administration proportion land area impacted reform unclear reforms months following coup party leaders initiated radical policies challenged traditional values established traditional power structures rural areas introduced women political life end forced marriage ruled nation deep islamic religious culture long history resistance type strong centralized governmental control consequently reforms actually implemented nationwide popular resentment drastic policy changes triggered unrest country reducing government control limited area strength anti reform backlash ultimately lead civil war previous administration literacy program created launched objective eliminating years government attempted reduce time frame years unrealistic goal light shortage teachers limited government capacity oversee initiative duration project later lengthened seven years soviets aftermath soviet intervention cultural focus programme declared rubbish instead chose introduce political orientation utilizing left wing pamphlets basic reading material soviet relations signed year treaty friendship soviet_union december greatly expanded soviet aid regime following uprising contacted chairman asked practical technical assistance men armament unfavorable proposal basis negative political repercussions action country rejected attempts soviet military aid afghanistan following rejection requested aid general secretary communist_party soviet_union soviet head state warned soviet intervention play hands enemies advised ease drastic social reforms seek broader support regime attended conference havana cuba way stopped moscow march met foreign minister soviet officials rumoured present meeting attempt reconcile faction followers meeting successful negotiating soviet support including soviet armed divisions soviet border sending military civilian advisers specialists immediate delivery soviet armed equipment sold percent original price soviets pleased developments afghanistan impressed need party unity despite reaching agreement soviets continued reluctant intervene afghanistan repeatedly refused soviet military intervention borders rule later short rule break months april revolution close relationship reportedly remarked like nail flesh set constructing personality cult centered party government meetings referred great leader star east great titles given titles true disciple student later come realize created monster like personality cult created inspired overly confident believe brilliance began suggestions deep sense resentment relationship turned increasingly sour power struggle developed control relations came head later year accused appointed family members high ranking positions count support prominent army officers struggle men joined ideological reasons instead political ambitions developed close relationship soviet ambassador afghanistan eager use city uprising march established elected chairman deputy time left post chairman elected successor new position offered little real influence chairman power elect member cabinet approved head state reality maneuver effectively reduced power base forcing relinquish hold army order supposedly heavy responsibilities new ultimately powerless post foreign visit non aligned conference cuba gang received intelligence report planning arrest kill report turned incorrect nonetheless gang ordered assassinate leader selecting nephew conduct assassination informed chosen assassin secret mission information contacts soviet embassy embassy responded warning assassination attempt saving certain death fall power greeted airport return flight scheduled land forced delay landing hour demonstration control government shortly afterward sought power influence requesting serve overseas ambassador turned proposal shouting quit drink old age taken leave senses following day invited presidential palace lunch gang turned offer stating prefer resignation soviet ambassador managed persuade visit palace chief police intelligence officer arriving palace unknown individuals building opened fire visitors killed ali sustained injury escaped unharmed shortly afterward returned palace contingent army officers placed arrest gang disappeared whereabouts remain unknown duration day rule arrest reportedly discussed incident said replied choice believed support soviets ordered death subsequently media report ailing died mention murder
Nur Muhammad Taraki