Gandhari Revolution
| Gandhari Revolution |
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 Soldiers of the Arab Socialist Union in Rhea, January 1957 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
.png){kind=small} State of Gandhara
|  Arab Socialist Union
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Emir Mohamed al-Mansur Adnan Taher | Ahmed Assiri Khalid Ismaïl Abdulrahman Yunuz
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The Gandhari Revolution (Arabic: ثورة غانذارا) was an armed conflict in the State of Gandhara, fought between forces loyal to Emir Mohamed al-Mansur and those seeking to abolish the constitutional monarchy and to establish an Arab republic. As a result of the Revolution, the Lettuce Governorate proclaimed the Lettucian independence as the First Lettucian Republic.
Causes
The discovery of significant oil reserves in the early '50s and the subsequent income from petroleum sales enabled the State of Gandhara to transition to a wealthy state. Although oil drastically improved the Gandhari government's finances, resentment began to build over the increased concentration of the nation's wealth in the hands of Emir Mohamed al-Mansur. Several movements promoted the view that the Gandhari monarchy was corrupt and that Gandhara would become a pro-Western puppet state. This discontent mounted with the rise of Arab nationalism/socialism throughout the country.
Outbreak
Prelude
By 1956, the government of Gandhara made large profits from the export of oil and gas. The Gandhari society had little benefit from the newly acquired wealth, which led to civil unrest. Public demonstrations began during the spring in Rhea, Manas and other big cities in Gandhara.
Rise of the Arab Socialist Union of Gandhara
As a response to the growing Arab nationalism, the Arab Socialist Union of Gandhara was established in 1952 by four military officers of the Gandhari army. The movement was originally founded as a nationalist movement, in order to promote Arab nationalism, but the military strength of the organization increased during the early years, which led to distrust of the organization by the government. The Gandhari government tried to prohibit the Arab Socialist Union several times, but the movement received support from conservative political parties.
Reaction of the Emir
In September 1956 Emir Mohamed al-Mansur ordered the army to stop the mass demonstrations. During a demonstration in Manas on 28 September, the Gandhari amry opened the fire on the protesters, killing 23 people. Another 148 people were arrested by the police. Three days of major riots throughout Gandhari followed, in which the Arab Socialist Union of Gandhara fought back in Manas against the police and the army. The Union managed to take over several police stations and to gain control over a major part of Manas. These events are considered to be the beginning of the revolution.
General strike and increasing opposition
Nationwide strikes
On 9 October, 700 workers at Manas' main oil refinery went on strike and on 11 October the same occurred at refineries in 5 other cities. On 13 October, central government workers in Rhea simultaneously went on strike.
Increasing oppostion
The protesters, led by the Arab Socialist Union, gained support from Arab nationalists and from ethnic groups who lived in the northern and southern regions of Gandhara. Several ethnic groups had little rights under the rule of the Emir and they were hoping for more rights in a new Arab state.