Ghilzai
The Ghilzai, also known as the Ghiljī or Khilji are a prominent tribe of Pashtuns and largest tribe in Pashtun. Their traditional homeland are the regions of Ghazni, Kandahar and Qalat in Afghanistan and are also settled in other regions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan tribal area and communicate in all dialects of Pashto.
Tribes
They are one of the largest branches of Pashtuns made up of many tribes from within such as the following:
- Tarakai
- Ahmadzai
- Suleimankhel
- Kharoti
- Hotak
- Nasar
- Akakhel
- Andar
History
The Ghilzai were a largely powerful group of Pashtuns who led resistance and conquered many powers. The Khilji Dynasty of India defeated the Mongols and prevented them from entering India. The Hotaki tribe from Kandahār founded the Hotaki dynasty which ruled over Persia under its leader Mirwais Hotak.
The Ghilzais are thought to be Turkic, as DNA evidence shows proof & a speculation that they were originally the Khalaj people, a Turkic group in Iran.[1]
Famous people
Many presidents, soldiers and revolutionaries were apart of this tribe including:
- Nur Muhammad Tarakai, Afghan revolutionary who led the Saur Revolution
- Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai, President of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
- Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
- Hafizullah Amin, Afghan communist of the Kharoti tribe
- Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Afghan mojahiddin leader
Ghilzai Media
Coin of Tegin Shah, described as "Iltäbar (sub-King) of the Khalaj", dated to the year 728 CE.
Shah Hussain Hotak (1725–1738), the last ruler of the Hotak dynasty
Mohammad Najibullah, of the Ghilji tribe, was President of Afghanistan from 1987 to 1992
Ashraf Ghani, of the Ghilji tribe, was President of Afghanistan from 2014 to 2021
Tents of Afghan nomads in Badghis Province who are known in Pashto as Kōchyān
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Related pages
References
- ↑ Khan, Baloch. Origin of Ghilzai Khilji Hotak Dynasty (September 12, 2015).