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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, 9 million 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. They are also found in several urban centres like Kabul, Quetta. Historically, the Ghilzai have opposed the Durrani dominated governments of Afghanistan.

==History==The Ghilzais are an Afghan tribe but their origins are not certain, whether of Kushani or Scythian descent. They came to prominence when the Hotaki sept of the tribe revolted against Persian rule under the leadership of Mir Wais Hotak. 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.

The Lodi dynasty, who were rulers of the Delhi Sultanate (1450–1526), were probably Ghilzais.

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 early 20th century, Sher Khan Nasher gained much political prominence as a Ghilzai Khan who became founder and governour of Kunduz. He was followed by his son, Gholam Serwar Nasher, who headed the Spinzar Company as well as by his nephew, the parliamentarian Gholam Nabi Nasher. During the period of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan many of the Mujahideen were also Ghilzai Pashtuns including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. 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 their Pashtun cousins, 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 as they have for millennia.

In the 1880s, large numbers of Ghilzais forced to move to the northern parts of Afghanistan by the Durrani ruler Abdur Rahman Khan.

The 1978 Khalq uprising against the government 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 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 Pakistan 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. They regularly cross over between the two countries often being exempted from customs due to the acceptance of their nomadic traditions by officials from both countries. 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 4 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