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The Ghilzais (also known as Khiljis or Ghaljis) are one of two largest groups of Pashtuns, along with the Durrani tribe, found in Afghanistan with a large group also found in neighboring Pakistan. They are the most populous Pashtun tribe in Afghanistan, occupying the north of Kandahar and extending eastwards towards the Suleiman Mountains. Historically, the Ghilzai have opposed the Durrani dominated governments of Afghanistan.

Origins

The Ghilzais are an Afghan tribe but their origins are not certain. They came to prominence when the Hotaki sept of the tribe revolted against Persian rule under the leadership of Mir Wais Hotak, a devout Sunni. A former state hostage of the Shi'ite Safavids, he obtained a fatwa to lead an uprising against them when he returned from the Haj in Mecca. He succeeded in expelling the Georgian Governor of Kandahar and assumed the post for himself. His eldest son, Mahmud, effected a successful invasion of Persia which culminated in the conquest of Isfahan and the deposition of the Safawi Shah Sultan Husain. Mahmud was then crowned Shah and ruled for a brief period before being deposed by his own clansmen. His nephew and successor reigned for a brief period of four years before being killed by fellow Afghans, while fleeing towards Kandahar. The Safawi dynasty was then restored in the person of Sultan Husain's only surviving son, Tahmasp II.

History

The Ghilzai have played an important role throughout the history of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. The Nasher were Ghilzais, as well as the Lodi dynasty, who were rulers of the Delhi Sultanate (1450–1526), were Ghilzai Pashtuns. In 1709, Mirwais Khan Hotak, a Ghilzai Pashtun and founder of the short-lived Hotaki Dynasty (1709-38), led an Afghan tribal revolt against Persian rule that eventually led to the short-lived Afghan rule of Persia from 1722. From 1734 Nader Shah began to wrest control from the Ghilzais.

In the 1880s, large numbers of Ghalzais were forced to settle in northern Afghanistan by the Dorrani government after the Ghalzais rebellion of the 1880s.l.

The 1978 Khalq uprising against the goverment of Daoud Khan was essentially a Ghilzai resurgence against the Durrani. Since 1978, three of the Soviet backed presidents where Ghilzais, Nur Mohammed Taraki (of the Taraki tribe), Hafizullah Amin (of the Kharoti tribe), and Mohammed Najibullah (of the Ahmadzai tribe). Although the Khalq was dominated mostly Ghilzais, many of the Mujahideen were also Ghilzais in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

In the 1990s, the Taliban leadership and rank and file were largely composed of Ghilzai Pashtuns and other related tribes and this has placed the Ghilzai at odds with the the Durrani tribe who are currently represented by the administration of President Hamid Karzai and the central Afghan government. Most Ghilzai are however not particularly political and are generally concerned with surviving during Afghanistan's current rebuilding period. The Ghilzai remain one of the largest and most prominent ethnic groups in Afghanistan and continue to enjoy considerable autonomy.

Location and economy

The Ghilzais are concentrated in an area spanning Ghazni and Kalat-i-Ghilzai eastward into western Pakistan, but are predominantly a nomadic group unlike the Durrani who can be found in permanent settlements. Population estimates vary, but they are most likely around 20% to 25% of the population of Afghanistan and probably number over 9 million in Afghanistan alone with 2 million or more found in neighboring Pakistan. They are reputed to be descended at least in part from the Khalaj or Khilji Turks, who entered Afghanistan in the 10th century as well as the numerous other invaders from Central Asia and the Middle East who have entered Afghanistan over the centuries. However, the existence of the Suri clan in Punjab during the Greek era and also a Suri ruler of Khorasan count against this theory. Most Ghilzai are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school and are often devout to their faith and also follow the Pashtun code of honor known as Pashtunwali. Most Ghilzai work as herders as well as in construction and other jobs that allow them to travel. Often possessing great mechanical aptitude, the Ghilzai nonetheless have an extremely low literacy rate hovering below 10%.

References

1. ^ Hanifi, M. Jamil. "GÚILZÈor GÚALZÈ". Encyclopædia Iranica (Online Edition ed.). United States: Columbia University. {{cite encyclopedia}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonth= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

See also

• Pashtun people
• Suri
• Lodi

• Pashtun tribes