Saur Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Saur Revolution?

Subject:

Saur Revolution

Known for:

The violent 1978 coup d'état by the PDPA that overthrew Mohammad Daoud Khan in Afghanistan.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Saur Revolution, also known as the April Revolution or the April Coup, was a violent coup d'état and uprising staged on 27 and 28 April 1978 by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which overthrew Afghan president Mohammad Daoud Khan, who had himself taken power in the 1973 Afghan coup d'état and established an autocratic one-party system in the country. Daoud and most of his family were executed at the Arg presidential palace in the capital city of Kabul by Khalqist (a PDPA faction) military officers, after which his supporters were also purged and killed. The successful PDPA uprising resulted in the creation of a socialist Afghan government that was closely aligned with the Soviet Union, with Nur Muhammad Taraki serving as the PDPA's General Secretary of the Revolutionary Council. Saur (also rendered Sowr) is the Dari-language name for the second month of the Solar Hijri calendar, during which the events took place. The uprising was ordered by PDPA member Hafizullah Amin, who would become a significant figure in the revolutionary Afghan government.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

At a press conference in New York City in June 1978, Amin claimed that the event was not a coup d'état, but rather a "popular revolution" carried out by the "will of the people" against Daoud's government. The Saur Revolution involved heavy fighting throughout Afghanistan and resulted in the deaths of as many as 2,000 military personnel and civilians combined. It remains a significant event in Afghanistan's history as it marked the beginning of decades of continuous conflict in the country. With the support and assistance of minority political party the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), Mohammad Daoud Khan took power in the 1973 Afghan coup d'état by overthrowing the monarchy ruled by his first cousin, King Mohammad Zahir Shah, and established the first Republic of Afghanistan. Since then, several coup attempts against Daoud's government had occurred such as those in September 1973, August 1974, and December 1976.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

According to some of the PDPA's leaders, the party had begun plotting a possible coup attempt as early as 1976. President Daoud was convinced that closer ties and military support from the Soviet Union would allow Afghanistan to take control of Pashtun lands in northwestern Pakistan. However, Daoud, who was ostensibly committed to a policy of non-alignment, became uneasy over Soviet attempts to dictate Afghanistan's foreign policy, and relations between the two countries deteriorated. Under the secular government of Daoud, factionalism and rivalry developed in the PDPA, with two main factions being the Parcham and Khalq factions. On 17 April 1978, a prominent member of the Parcham, Mir Akbar Khyber, was assassinated.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1973: 1973 Milestone — With the support and assistance of minority political party the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), Mohammad Daoud Khan took power in the 1973 Afghan coup d'état by overthrowing the monarchy ruled by his first cousin, King Mohammad Zahir Shah, and established the first Republic of Afghanistan.
2. 1976: 1976 Milestone — According to some of the PDPA's leaders, the party had begun plotting a possible coup attempt as early as 1976.
3. 1978: 1978 Milestone — The Saur Revolution, also known as the April Revolution or the April Coup, was a violent coup d'état and uprising staged on 27 and 28 April 1978 by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which overthrew Afghan president Mohammad Daoud Khan, who had himself taken power in the 1973 Afghan coup d'état and established an autocratic one-party system in the country.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Saur Revolution

True or False: “The Saur Revolution immediately established a stable and universally accepted government structure in Afghanistan.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The revolution marked the beginning of decades of continuous conflict in Afghanistan due to internal factionalism and external interference.

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• Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani — Historical peer (Died in 1976) (1976): Bangladeshi statesman and founder of the Awami League, known for advocating for the poor.

Frequently Asked Questions about Saur Revolution