The palace was originally built by progressive royals as an additional palace away from the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul. Its design was modeled after Western architecture, in order for the rulers to declare a new dawn for the country. By the time of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, it lay in ruins, and was used as a base by the occupying Soviet forces. Periodically during his operations, Snake found various other prisoners of war being held in the palace which he rescued and subsequently recruited to Diamond Dogs.