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167 him, and energetically took in hand the development and reform—in fact, one may say the foundation anew of Afghanistan. The constitutional reforms introduced by the King must be regarded as his most praiseworthy act, a measure by which he parted with his autocratic powers, and officially transferred them to the representatives of the people. The Afghan Government, until the reign of King Nadir Shah, was autocratic. The King was the fountain-head of all power, and all orders relating to the administration of the State emanated from him. The Ministers were practically the lieutenants of the king and in his name wielded the full authority of the government. Under King Nadir Shah, however, the Government gave way to con- stitutionalism. Two Houses of Parliament, a House of Representatives and a House of Elders were set up to look after the affairs of the country and to frame laws. Unfortunately, the reign of this benign and wise King was cut short by his assassination on November 8, 1933. King Mohammad Zahir Shah: H.M. King Mohammad Zahir Shah, the only surviving son of the late King Mohammad Nadir Shah, peacefully suc- ceeded his father on the throne, with the title of "Almutawakkal- Allallah" (He who puts his trust in the Lord). His Majesty was born in Kabul on Monday, October 15, 1914, so he was only 19 when he ascended the throne. He is the first Afghan King who has been educated in a European country. On the completion of his elementary education, he accompanied his illustrious father to France in 1924 and stayed there for six years. He studied at Lycee Janson de Sailly and then at Lycee Michelet and the College de Montpellier. Returning to Afghanistan in 1930, he attended the