Early Life and Education

Nur Muhammad Taraki was born on July 15, 1917, in Nawa district, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, into a modest Pashtun farming family. Despite his rural roots, Taraki developed an early passion for education and politics. He moved to Kabul in his youth and found work at the Indian trading company “Gindari Lal and Sons.” The job exposed him to progressive and Marxist ideas. He later earned a degree in economics and became a writer, journalist, and translator. His writings focused on social injustice and class struggle.

Founding the PDPA

In 1965, Taraki co-founded the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), a Marxist-Leninist political group. The party aimed to transform Afghanistan into a socialist state. Taraki became its first General Secretary and leader of the Khalq (People) faction, which drew support from rural Pashtuns and the military. In 1967, the PDPA split into two factions—Khalq and Parcham—due to ideological and personal differences between Taraki and Babrak Karmal.

Saur Revolution and Rise to Power

On April 27, 1978, the PDPA staged a military-backed coup known as the Saur Revolution. They overthrew and killed President Mohammad Daoud Khan. Taraki assumed full control as President of the Revolutionary Council, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, and General Secretary of the PDPA.

Socialist Reforms and Public Backlash

Once in power, Taraki’s government launched radical socialist reforms. These included land redistribution, women’s rights, literacy programs, and suppression of tribal and religious authorities. However, the reforms were poorly planned and brutally enforced. This triggered strong backlash, especially in rural and conservative areas.

Internal Conflict and Power Struggle

Taraki’s harsh policies and failure to understand Afghan society led to growing rebellion. Meanwhile, his deputy Hafizullah Amin gained more power. In September 1979, Taraki tried to remove Amin but failed. Amin responded with a coup, took over the government, and had Taraki imprisoned and killed—likely by suffocation.

Death and Soviet Invasion

Taraki’s death shocked the Soviet Union, which had backed him strongly. Amin’s violent and erratic rule worried Soviet leaders. In December 1979, they invaded Afghanistan, assassinated Amin, and installed Babrak Karmal, a more loyal Parcham leader.

Legacy

Nur Muhammad Taraki remains a pivotal yet controversial figure in Afghan history. He led the communist revolution and brought Afghanistan into Cold War conflict. Though he aimed to modernize society, his radical reforms and authoritarian rule sparked rebellion and foreign intervention. His misjudgment of Afghan traditions contributed to decades of instability and war.