With Amanullah (1919-1929) a man came to power who was determined to free his country from British dominance. He believed that the time had come to demand Afghanistans independence of the Viceroy of India. The British resisted this by force, which led to the third Anglo-Afghan war. The Afghans fought to victory near Thal, in modern Paksitan, ending the war in 1919.

Although Afghanistan had won its independence, the British did not confirm this until 1921. Amanullahs excess of ambition in wanting to create a modern state out of conservatice Afghanistan on western lines cost him the throne in 1929. A revolution toppled him from power and he ended his days in exile in Italy.

The whole of Afghanistan only came under Islamic dominance at the beginning of the 20^th century, when King Abdul-Rahman Khan came to power. The Nurestan region, which at that time was called Kaferestan land of the heroes has belonged to Afghanistan since that time. Under Abdul-rahman Khans government, the beginnings of an evolution towards technical progress and towards unity of the country were established.

In 1929, Habibullah, known as Badshae Sakab (son of the water carrier) took over the throne for nine months.

1929-1933 Mohammad Nader Khan ascended the throne. He continued to open up Afghanistan to progress. Many schools were opened. In Kabul, higher education institutions were established, with German, French and American heads. During a visit to an Amani school, Mohammad Nader Khan shot a pupil, after which he, too, was murdered.

His successor from 1933-1973 was his 19-year-old son Zahir Shah. Peace came to the country and the population felt secure. Modernisation, however, made very ation felt secure. Modernisation, however, made very slow progress. Aftera 40-year rule, the king was toppled by a military coup on 17 July 1973, led by Daoud Khan. Today he lives in exile in Italy.