Gaju Khan

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Gaju Khan Baba
ګجو خان بابا
Born1490
Kabul,[1] in present-day Afghanistan
Died1565 (aged 74–75)
Swabi, in present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
OccupationRevolutionary leader

Gaju Khan Baba (Pashto: ګجو خان بابا), also spelled Gajju Khan or Gajo Khan, was a Pashtun revolutionary leader. He is often seen as a founding chief of the Yusufzai tribe.[2]

His tomb is in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[3]

Under Ahmad’s leadership, Malik Gajju had already displayed great heroism in war of Swat which was fought in 1515. He has also led army in the historical war of Katlang fought in 1520 and helped forming a great confederation of tribes.

In his leadership, Malik Gajju expanded the Pakhtun state from Jehlum to Kandahar. The numbers in his army swelled to 0.2 million and till 1540, a vast area came under his control. In 1551, the war of Mangrao was fought and Gaju Khan with the help of some sixty thousand soldiers defeated the ruler of Mangrao, Ghayasuddin and brought it under Pakhtunkhwa.

In 1553, Mughal Emperor Humayun attacked Peshawar from Kabul, it was Khan Gajju Khan who with the support of 150,000 men defeated the Mughal’s General Sikandar Uzbek who was forces to take shelter in Balahisar fort.Emperor Humayun instead of proceeding towards Peshawar had to return to Kabul. While his general, Uzbek was sent safely after he paid war reparations and apologised  for the attack on Peshawar.


Khan Gaju, Malik Ahmad's successor, formed a greatconfederation of Yousafzai tribe.

The Battle of Sheikh Tapur was second in importance only to the Battle of Malakand Pass in terms of the Yusufza'i conquests of the sixteenth century

Khan Gaju's power may be gauged from the fact that he had at one time a force of 150,000 men under his command.

H.G Raverty says: �Khan Kaju extended his territory as far as Nilab, Gehep, Margalah Pass, Gakhar territory, Upper Swat, Pakhli and Dhamtaur. He was recognized and acknowledged from Nanghar to Margalah Pass, Lohori Kotal and Upper Swat to Gehep, and form Pakhli to Dhamtaur to Kala Bagh. Adam Khan Gakhar is said to have been his feudatory.

Khan Gaju Yousafzai recruited fighters in his army from Yusufzais, Gagianis, Muhammadzais, Tarkanris, Jadoons, Mashwanis, Utman Khels , Barech, Wardak, Swatis, Khattaks, Gabris, Awans, Gujjars and others.

References[]

  1. ^ Hoti lauds Gaju Khan Baba services. The Nation.
  2. ^ Yousaf, Nasser (4 February 2014). "Chief of Yousafzais and a would be spiritual leader".
  3. ^ Hoti, Mohammad Jamal (January 2, 2014). "Gaju Khan's tomb renovated". DAWN.COM.
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