the great ahmad shah baba durrani

8/7/2019 The Great Ahmad Shah Baba Durrani

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Ahmad Shah and his brother, Zulfakar Khan, were jailed by ShahHussien in Kandahar in 1738 A.D./l 149 A.H. At this time, Nader Afsharof Persia moved against Afghan King Hotaki, with the help of other rivaltribes. The Abdali Persians seized Kandahar aftertwo years ofstruggle.He ended the Afghan government of the Hotaki's dynasty. Soon PersianNader freed Ahmad Shah and his brother, Zulfakar Khan, from jail. Naderhad plans for the two brothers hoping they would be instrumental in thefuture military advances of

Iranians in Afghanistan. Nader's admiration continued to grow for thetalented Afghan brothers. He-bestowed gifts and special favors on them.In a short time Ahmad Shah was promoted to the rank of general and

became head of an Afghan Abdali regiment serving in Nader's army.Ahmad Shah was all this time with the Persian Nader, almost six yearsunder his direct supervision and close company. Historians state that onetime Nader personally told Ahmad Shah, ..."that after me you will makea great ruler."

Some historians report that Nader Afshar caused numerous killings, abloodshed, and ruined the culture and resources of Afghanistan to such

a degree that no one could forget these cruel actions. The only benefitAhmad Shah gained from Nader Afshar was his military training andadministrative experience.

According to Iranian historian Jehan Kushayi Naderi, Nader Afsharbecame mentally ill because ofhis cruel activities and bloodshed. Withthe stress and confusion he could not trust anyone around him. Hebecame crueler and started killing his generals and/or chiefs of his tribes(Afsharis and Kizilbashis).


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People around him were troubled by his fearful state of mind.

Finally, Nader Buelli, his brother, along with the aid of many others

plotted a coupe against him. The plan succeeded and Nader Afshar wasmurdered at night when Afghan Ahmad Shah was not around. His bodywas found at dawn in the Army Courtyard in Fatheh Abad near Mashhad.Thus, the powerful emperorship of Persia was ended.

As soon as Ahmad Shah found the report he safeguarded Nader's familyand children, so nobody would harm or disgrace any member oftheRoyal family. In appreciation of this valued service and honesty, Nader'swife offered Ahmad Shah the famous and most significant Kohi Noor(meaning "mountain of light") Diamond which is now in the possessionof the British Royal family.

Immediately, Ahmad Shah and his soldiers retreated to Kandahar, hishomeland. He contacted all the tribes to foster national unity and tochoose a head of the state as soon as possible. After hard campaigning

against rivals he called forthe formation of the traditional AfghanNational Loya Jirgah (Grand National Assembly). For nine days seriousdiscussions were held among the candidates in the Argah. Ahmad Shah


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kept silent by not campaigning for himself At last Sabir Shah, a religiouschief, came out ofhis sanctuary and stood before those in the Jirgah andsaid: He found no one worthy for leadership except Ahmah Shah. He isthe most trustworthy and talented for the job. He had Sabir's blessingfor the nomination because only his shoulders could carry thisresponsibility. The leaders agreed unanimously. Ahmad Shah emergedsupreme, gaining the king title of Dur-i-Durran (Pearl of Pearls).

In 1747 A.D./I 160 A.H., a true nation consisting of all the clans wasestablished for the first time and was called Afghanistan. Ahmad Shah'stribal title Abdali was changed to the Durrani and was named Baba,

Father of the Nation. His political fortune rose and rose. He extended hispower to India in the East, to Iran in the West and toward the North tothe Axes River. Since his youth, Ahmad Shah desired a permanent,

independent, united and strong Afghanistan that would be prepared fornational progress and not disturbed by its neighbors.

In 1748 A.D., Ahmad Shah Baba entrusted his nephew, M. LoqmanKhan, in Kandahar. He and General Sardar Jehan Khan travelled toGhazni, Kabul, Jalal Abad and Peshawar.

These cities fell to his rule without resistance. Govemor Naser Khan, whowas ruling in these areas, escaped to Lahore, India- He had proclaimedhimselfin the region since Nader Afshar was murdered in Iran.

Ahmad Shah encouraged the residents of Peshawar to join theconsolidation of the Afghan Empire and assist their brothers inconquering India where Muslim brothers were being suppressed by theMaghul rulers. The wise invitation was jointly accepted by those people.Ahmah Shah extended his trip to Lahore. Crossing the Indus he seizedAttak and its surrounding areas. The governor ofPunjab, Shah NawazKhan

fled toward Delhi but was followed by Ahmad Shah. Ile Afghan rulerfaced the 1,000,000 armies of Maghul led by General Mir Menu at


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Manpur on the Siltig River. The severe fight resulted in heavy losses onboth sides. Finally, Ahmad Shah accepted the peace proposed by theDelhi rider. He retreated to Kandahar to strengthen his army. There hejailed his untrustworthy nephew who claimed independence in theabsence of the king.

In 1162 A.H., Ahmad Shah made a second trip with his fresh army tomeet Mir Manu in Punjab. This time the Governor of Punjab chose not tofight. He submitted to Afghan power asking for peace. He accepted

payment of Rs. 140,000 in cash and was to send annually specified taxesto Kandahar, Afghanistan. To save his kingdom the Maghul king in Delhi


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ceded all territories west of the Indus River to the Afghan

emperor. On his return Alunad Shah reappointed Mir Menu as Governorof Punjab.

Arriving home in Kandahar, Ahmad Shah discovered another plot againsthim. This time Noor Mohammad Khan Solaiman Khil, one of theunsuccessful candidates of Shir Surklfs s Loya Jirgah had claimedleadership over Kandahar.

Noor Mohammad along with a few of his assistants such as Kado Khan,

Mohabat, Osman and others were deposed and killed.

On his way from Punjab to Kandahar, Ahmad Shah was asked by thelocal leaders to accept the leadership of the Pashtuns tribes at DeraGhazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, and Brahui of Kalat. These areas werethus joined with Afghan territories.

In 1163 A.H., Ahmad Shah moved with 25,000 soldiers to free Heratfrom the Persian rule. Here Amir Alam

Khan, a local Arab, was governing the city for Shah Rukh, ruler of Khurasan. Herat was reinforced and supported by Persians against theAfghan take over. After nine months of siege, Ahmad Shah directlyengaged in a bitter and bloody battle until the city fell into Afghanhands. Amir Alain Khan escaped to

Mashhad. Ahmad Shah appointed Darwish Ali Khan Hazara as thegovernor of Herat. The Afghan king then proceeded to Mashhad, thecapital of Shah Rukh, who was now helped by Amir Alam Khan, incontrolling his territory. Ahmad Shah defeated both ofthem. The latterwas killed in the fight outside the city. Ahmad Shah pardoned Shah Rukhbecause of his recent blindness and his strong youth's impression. Hewas also

reappointed as the ruler of Mashhad. The Afghan king then reappointed


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as the ruler of Mashhad. The Afghan king then proceeded to Nishapurbut retreated to Kandahar because of the severe winter and tostrengthen his army.

On his way back to Herat, Ahmad Shah delegated his Chief Minister,Shah Walikhan, with an armed force of 10,000 to regain and organizeNorthern Afghanistan. Shah Walikhan successfully accomplished themission. He attached all cities to the new kingdom ofAhmad Shah,further unifying Afghanistan.

The north included Marva, Maimana, Andkhuoi, Shiberghan, Bulkh,

Tashkurghan, Aibak, Bamiyan, Hazarajath, Kunduz, Kataghan,Badakhshan, Khanabad and Asterabad. New administrators andcontrollers were installed to work forAhmad Shah. The Afghan king alsoleft General Sardar Jehan Khan in

Herat with 5,000 soldiers to discourage any uprising by Persian forces inthe occupied areas of Herat.


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Early in 1751 A.D./I 164 A.H., Ahmad Shah rode to Nishapur for thesecond time attacking the city with heavy artillery. The shots were firedfrom a 500-pound cannon. The shots scared the people of Nishapur whosubmitted to Ahmad Shah easily.

On returning to his home Ahmad Shah had to show his force again toShah Rukh who had forgotten his pardoning favors. In this show of forceShah Rukh was defeated. Ahmad Shah again exercised his generosity byreappointing the blind Shah Rukh as ruler of Khurasan. The only

agreement was that

Khurasan would be consolidated and considered part of the Afghankingdom.

While Ahmad Shah was busy fighting in Persia.and consolidatingNorthern Afghanistan, Mir Menu used the

opportunity to negotiate, with Moghul in Delhi, support against theAfghans. Then he refused to pay taxes to the Afghan ruler in Kandahar.For this reason and for the third time Ahmad Shah Durrani invaded Indiain 1751 A.D./I 165 A.H. The attack was carried out with great strengthand Mir Manu was defeated with

great losses. Because of Ahmad ShaWs victories, the Indian governmentin Delhi feared his strength. However, Ahmad Shah did not continueinvading due to the summer heat. Instead he sent an Afghan mission tointegrate Kashmir into the Afghan empire.


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In 1753 A.D./I 167 A.H., Mir Menu died. He was replaced by his three-year-old son. In fact, his mother,

Moghlani Begum, controlled the administration and politics. She was

strong willed and sexually promiscuous. Her lack of character andwisdom fostered civil disorder, power seeking and

anarchy. She strengthened her ties with the Delhi government bymarrying her daughter to Waziruldin, a powerful chief minister in Delhi.She broke ties with the Afghan government and ignored her husband'scommitment to the Afghans. For the fourth time Ahmad Shah invadedIndia. He captured Lahore and entered into Delhi in 1757 A.D./I 170 A.HAs usual Ahmad Shah allowed the Moghul Emperor Alamgir H (installedin 1754 A. D. ) to remain in power. In return he accepted the Afghangovernment in Kashmir, Purjah, and Sindh. Ahmad Shah sent anotherarmy to fight and subdue strong Mahrattas and Jets. His army reachedas far as Agra with success. He also appointed his son, Timur Shah, torule over Lahore and its surrounding territories.

During this trip Ahmad Shah also arranged to marry a daughter of Alamgir 11 to his son, Timur Shah. The Indian emperor gave Timur Shahthe City of Sirhind as a wedding gift (dowry). Ahmad Shah left Delhi


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satisfied with the successes and pleasure of India. Being bored,homesick, and not able to tolerate the summer heat and cholera in Delhi,Ahmad Shah Baba returned to his home in Kandahar. At this time hewrote a poem illustrating his love and devotion to his country:

My Love for Afghanistan

Bloody chests are full of land-love-affair Youths sacrifice heads, and callit only fair.

Relief comes to me when I come to you Anxiety snakes in my heartwhen I am far from-you.

No matter the increase in lands I capture It's the beauty of your gardensI'll never forget.

Discard I the magnificent throne of Delhi When I remember the summitsof Afghan mountains.

The legacy of Hamid and Farid times returns When I run victorious allaround.

Ahmad Shah will not forget your legacy Even if he conquers the world inwhole.

If the universe comes into either hand I'll prefer your bare and nakeddeserts.

(Translated by R. Nazari)


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Timur Shah didn't rule Punjab or the cities in Northern India. The Sikhslaunched a revolt in Amritsar. It was toppled by the great AfghanGeneral Sardar Jahan Khan. Then the Mahrattas and Hindus underRaghunath Rao fought agamst the Afghans in Lahore in April 1758 A.D./I171 A.H..The Afghans got out and waited for another chance. Adina Begstayed as Governor of Lahore.

At this time, Nasir Khan of Brahui-Baluch in Kalat, disobeyed and brokehis loyalty to Ahmad Shah, probably due to Persian or Mogulsprovocation. Ahmad Shah met Nasir Khan for the second time. He useddiplomacy rather than power in handling the Baluch ruler. Ahmad Shah

authorized Nasir Khan to keep the local ruling and was asked in return tosupport the Afghans in their wars, and also to not take sides with theAfghan enemies. The diplomacy worked as Nasir Khan delightfullyagreed and did swear loyalty to Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Forthe fifth time, Ahmad Shah invaded India, October 1756 A.D.,recapturing Punjab. He fought Mahrattas in many areas. His mostfamous and courageous battle was noted at Panipat, January 14, 1761A.D./I 174 A.H., where Mahratta, Hindu and Sikh forces were destroyed.Again Delhi was conquered at the traditional Pampat Battleground by thehands of Ahmad Shah Durrani. Historians believe this serious Afghanvictory in Panipat opened the door for Britain!s future occupation of India.


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Ahmad Shah Durrani helped Shah Alam II, son of Alanigir 11, to stabilizeand rule India after he left the country for his own land. Ahmad Shaheven sent Royal Orders (Farmans) to most Indian provinces and toBritish Robert Cline in Calcutta to recognize the rightful governmentunder Alam Il. The Farmans received positive responses. Ahmad ShahDurrani left Delhi for Kandahar in the spring of 1761 A.D./I 174 A.H Forthe sixth time, in February 1762 A.D./I 175 A.H., Ahmad Shah made hisexcursion to India for the purpose of

putting Sikhs under control. It took two Years for the residents to takePunjab and reestablish their own government. Ahmad Shah Durranilearned the news of the Sikhs' freedom. He came to India for the

seventh time in October 1764 A,D./I 178 A.H., and recaptured Lahore.After sometime, the Sikhs started guerilla style attacksagainst the Afghan


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army when the caravans were returning home to Kandahar. Ahmad ShahDurrani for the eighth time returned to India to subdue the Sikhs in1766-67 A.D./1180-81A.H. He occupied Lahore easily. This time hepressed the City of Amritsar destroying places and subjucated thepeople. At this time Britain backed Indians in Bengal. Because of summer heat and some problems at home, Ahmad Shah decided toreturn to Kandahar and delay activities in India.

In 1769 A.D./I 183 A.H., Ahmad Shah Durrani rode to India

for the final two tries of preventing Sikh revolts and uprisings.

This time he did not succeed due to his illness. He suddenly

developed cancer of the face which forced him to look for his

recovery. Some have called the malady an uIcer. None-the-less,

it deformed his nose; the great man wore an artificial silver nose.

The rumor of his bad health spread around the empire and

people began to turn against him. In the East, the Sikhs

weakened the Afghan empire with the usual uprisings. In the

North, instability reigned in some cities. They proclaimed

freedom. The Amir of Bukhara claimed some other regions.

Ahmad Shah reached Bukhara but preferred not to fight against

his Moslem brothers to avoid killings. The Amir of Bukhara

accepted the terms of peace that the Amu Darya(River) will be


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recognized as a boundary dividing the land ofAhmad Shah and

Bukhara.

The Amir of Bukhara (Murad Beg) in consideration of good

faith presented to Ahmad Shah Durrani the highest and

most religious Kherka-i-Mubarak, the clock wore by the

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Excited and delighted Ahmad

Shah Durrani brought the Kherka-i- Mubarak to Kandahar with

special honor and ceremonies. To house the grandiose gift, the

king constructed an artistic building near the Royal Court. It is

adjacent to a huge beautifid mosque. The mosque and

Kherka-i-Mubarak both still exist in splendor- Every day, large

numbers of people go there to pray.

'Me Persians in Mashhad forgot the glory of the

Afghan empire. Nasrullah Mirza, son of Shah Rukh, with the

assistance of Zards in Shiraz and the Kurds claimed

independence. Ahmad Shah Durrani with his iron fist moved to

Khurasan in 1769/70 A.D./I 183 A-H..Mashhad was besieged.

This could be counted as the final victorious triumph of the


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Afghan ruler. Ahmad Shah Durrani was always kind to blind

Shah Rukh. So, Shah Rukh was again reappointed as ruler of

Khurasan. To prove his loyalty in return of this favor Shah

Rukh, gave his daughter in marriage to Timore Shah, the second

son of Ahmad Shah Durrani.

As Ahmad Shah Durrani's final days of life were soon

approaching, he designated Timore Shah Durrani as his heir.

Then the Emperorwent to the Sulaiman Mountains nearthe east of Kandahar waiting in peace and agony. The cancer or ulcer increased inthe upper part ofhis nose so much so that his words were notunderstood. In his final days, he had to be fed. Peace came upon him inOctober 1772 A.D./I 186 A.H. in Kandahar

where he is buried in a prestigious mausoleum.

Reflections on

Ahmad Shah Baba Durrani's Life


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Ahmad Shah Durrani strictly believed in God and honored hisinstructions. He was knowledgeable in religion and The influence of Sufiism is evident in King Durrani's ambitions. He followed two greatreligious leaders, Shah Fuqurullah of Jalalabad City and Miya MohammadOmar of Peshawar City. It is disclosed

that some 17,500 followers of religious leader Miya M. Omar Sufi aidedAhmad Shah's army in the famous Panipat battle near Delhi, India,bringing the distinguished Afghan victory.

Ahmad Shah Durrani firmly imposed Afghan ways and promoted Afghanfamily character. During his reign, building national unity was stressed tosuch a degree that tribal feuds gradually and steadily collapsed. His


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policies stressed equality and freedom for individuals were expanded.Friendship treaties were formulated with neighboring states based uponthe principle that freedom is a natural right of all races.

As amoral grandeur, Ahmad Shah Dun-dni steadfastly supported theAfghan code of honor, customs and characters under the essence of Islam. The Afghan ruler accepted other cultures by inviting the right tocoexist in the land of Afghans free of any discrimination. His only termswere that others should appreciate Afghans and be no threat to theirindependence.

Ahmad Shah was not only a heroic warrior but also an elegant andcharming poet. His poetry and prose are classics with political, religious,humanitarian and national overtones.

Ahmad Shah wrote tender, powerful, simple, and sensitive poetry. Likeother oriental poets, his poetry speaks of grief, satire, bitterness, joy,reverence and humility. According to the Afghan historian and literaryscholar, Prof Abdul Hai Habibi, Ahmad Shah wrote some 2,500 poems.

Professor Habibi compiled the poems with strenuous effort and publishedthe Dewan in 1319. The book is a monumental volume of magnificentpoetry and prose Ahmad Shah wrote in his native mother tongue,Pashtu.

Internationally known nineteenth-century philosopher, SayyedJamaluddin Afghani writes in his famous book, Tetmat-al-bayan fiTarikh-al-Afghan, (published in Arabic) that Ahmad Shah took greatinterest in all his tribes and considered them all for strengtheningnational unity. He gave equal attention to all of them. He formed a nine-member council that represented each tribe from around the country forthe purpose of advising him in all affairs. The council was powerful andheard in all matters pertaining to the country and building andmaintaining national unity.

Ahmad Shah was famous for being a just and fair leader. It is said that


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during his reign a lion and deer could live together and drink from thesame well. During Ahmad Shah's reign there were administrative postssuch as First Minister, Finance Minister, Controller, Tax and RevenueMinister, Chief Justice, Chief of Army, Minister of Defense, InteriorMinister, ambassadors and others.

Historian Ghobar writes in Persian that Ahmad Shah Baba Durranipredominantly spent his life with sword, gun, battles and politics. Hischaracter and morals were supreme.

The public considered him a high religious personality. He advised his

sons to treat criminals with respect and not to look down upon them. Hetaught his children not to bow their heads or backs during greetings.They were also encouraged to stay in contact with the learned andprominent.

English Colonel Milson writes that Ahmad Shah Durrani was constantly incontact with all his tribal people and their leaders. He sought theiropinions in all national matters and followed Afghan traditions with keeninterest. Milson witnesses that Ahmad Shah expressed to his nation, "Iam your King. My duty is to keep you independent, preserve your prideand dignity, and to secure your prosperity and unity.

16.3.2011

Hamid Zazai

Hamburg

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the great ahmad shah baba durrani

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