Claim: Afghanistan is a country.

Mohammed Zahir Shah -LRB- محمد ظاهرشاه , محمد ظاهر شاه 16 October 1914 -- 23 July 2007 -RRB- was the last King of Afghanistan , reigning from 8 November 1933 until he was deposed on 17 July 1973 . He established friendly relations with many countries and tried to modernize his country .   While staying in Italy for medical treatment , Zahir Shah was overthrown in a surprise coup in 1973 by his cousin and former prime minister , Mohammed Daoud Khan . He remained in exile near Rome until 2002 , returning to Afghanistan after the end of the Taliban . He was given the title Father of the Nation , which he held until his death in 2007 .