Mirwais Hotak

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Mirwais Hotak
مير ويس خان هوتک
Emir of Greater Afghanistan
Mirwais Hotak.jpg
Sketch work of Mirwais Hotak
Emir of Afghanistan
ReignHotak Empire: 1709–1715
CoronationApril 1709
PredecessorGurgin Khan
Bahadur Shah I as Emperor of the Mughal Empire
SuccessorAbdul Aziz Hotak
Born1673
Kandahar, Safavid Iran
DiedNovember 1715 (aged 41–42)
Kandahar, Hotak dynasty
Burial
Kokaran, Kandahar, Afghanistan
SpouseKhanzada Sadozai
DynastyHotak dynasty
FatherSalim Khan
MotherNazo Tokhi
ReligionSunni Islam

Mirwais Khan Hotak (Pashto/Dari: مير ويس خان هوتک)[1] , (1673–1715), was a Pashtun (Ghilji tribe) [2][3][4] from Kandahar, Afghanistan, who was the founder of the Hotak dynasty that existed from 1709 to 1738.[5]

After revolting and assassinating the Safavid Persian governor over the region, Gurgin Khan, in April 1709, declared the independence of Loy Kandahar ("Greater Kandahar") region, which is now southern Afghanistan.[6] He is widely known as Mīrwais Nīkə (ميرويس نيکه) or Mīrwais Bābā (ميرويس بابا, "Mirwais the Grandfather" in the Pashto language.[7][8]

Background[]

Ghurghis Khan was a Georgian-Safavid general, having been defeated by the Safavid Empire for trying to revolt in Georgia; he led his services to the Safavids. Ghurghis Khan was ordered to put down a suspected rebellion and to govern the region in Kandahar, with Sultan Husayn having high suspicion of the Ghilzais in revolt. Ghurghis Khan was dispatched to Kandahar, ahead of a large Persian army. When he arrived at Kandahar, he saw the Ghilzais were not revolting, rather committed to not submit to oppression easily. Despite the Ghilzais being loyal to Ghurghis Khan, he did not want this and instead would rather strike fear into the Afghan tribes.[9] Thus, Ghurghis Khan massively oppressed the Afghans and treated the land as if he conquered it. With many high ranking officials been sacked, Ghurghis Khan treated the Afghans like slaves. As a result, the Ghilzais appealed to Sultan Husayn, asking for proper representation, but Sultan Husayn ignored them. Due to this, the Ghilzais resorted to planning a revolt. However, the situation was unfavorable to them, because the best Persian general at the time was entangled with a large Persian army occupying Kandahar at that moment.[10]

The Greater Kandahar region (Candahar) during the Safavid dynasty and Mughal period

Rise to power[]

Prominent amongst the Ghilzai chiefs during these events was Mirwais Hotak – as head of one of the tribes, he was intelligent, and well mannered. Mirwais Hotak was one of the most influential and richest people in Kandahar.[11] Mirwais had taken a lead role in the chain of events occurring and had signed a petition to be sent to Sultan Husayn, as well as boosting the morale of his countrymen for a future revolt if necessary. After failure of the petition, Mirwais had pushed for submission to the Safavids for the time being.[12]

Ghurghis Khan/George XI of Kartli

Ghurghis Khan had noticed Mirwais's great influence in the Kandahar region, and viewed him as the only thing keeping the Ghilzais from revolting in Kandahar. As a result, Ghurghis Khan was determined to strip Mirwais's influence and power in Kandahar. Thus, Ghurghis Khan ordered the arrest of Mirwais for conspiring against the government. Mirwais was arrested along with many other fellow compatriots and were sent to Isfahan. Ghurghis Khan, now feeling safe in his governorship of Kandahar, allowed the greater part of his army to then return to Persia. Mirwais had arrived at Isfahan, and immediately noticed the weak state of the Persian court – with corrupt officials in the court for their own greed. Mirwais appealed to them, rather than showing himself as an enemy, Mirwais had shown Ghurghis Khan as an enemy to the Persian court. Mirwais also demanded that Sultan Husayn investigate the charges against him, to which Sultan Husayn acknowledged Mirwais as being innocent, and allowed Mirwais to continue in his influential position in the court.[13]

Mirwais explained to the court how Ghurghis Khan would be a ferocious enemy if he ever revolted, with the governorship of Kandahar, Georgia, and Kerman all falling to his rule if he decided to revolt. He respectfully talked about Ghurghis' power and notified the court, arousing suspicion amongst the entire court. Sultan Husayn had fallen for this, noticing the possibility of Ghurghis's ambitions growing too big. Having done his work, Mirwais requested a pilgrimage to Mecca, to which the court could not decline, and allowed Mirwais to go to Mecca. Mirwais wanted to obtain support and approval from religious leaders, and so he asked multiple questions to such extent – "Is it lawful for Muslamans to take up arms to free themselves from the yolk?"[14] The second being – "In the case of which the chief men of several tribes having been forced to take the oath of allegiance to a sovereign who was a heretic, are not the members of the tribe released from the oath when the sovereign ceases to observe the convention he had sworn to?"[15] The replies were in the affirmative. With this, Mirwais returned to Isfahan. He planned to depart to Kandahar, however fearing it would cause suspicion, he stayed at his post of influence in the court of Isfahan.[16]

Around the same time that Mirwais had returned from Mecca, he had learned of an Armenian, by the name of Israel Orri, under diplomatic authority of Peter the Great was dispatched to Isfahan as an ambassador. The ambassador had an unusual amount of followers to support him in this gain, with hundreds of followers supporting him to move toward the court, his goals were for more influence amongst import and export duties in Persia. The story was expanded on many exaggerations once the story had met the court at Isfahan, with many rumors added to alarm, Sultan Husayn had asked Mirwais for consul on what to do.[17] Mirwais took this to his advantage, and replied:

"It is true that the conjuncture is formidable. If the Tsar of Russia had desired to send a peaceful mission to this country, he would not have selected an Armenian as his agent. By sending a man, born a Persian subject, yet of his own faith, and of the ancient royal family of Armenia, his object must be to blow with effect the coals of sedition into the very heart of the kingdom. But, the efforts of Armenia backed by Russia, would mean nothing, could we be sure of Georgia. But it is only recently that the Georgians, under Ghurghis Khan, revolted against the Shah. We know that the cousin of Ghurghis Khan is now at the court of St Petersburg. How can we doubt that as soon as this Armenian Christian has penetrated with his following into Persia, backed by Russia, Ghurghis Khan, who was once a Christian, who is probably a Christian in heart now, who is, moreover, the lineal descent of descendant of the ancient kings of Georgia, who can doubt but that he will turn Georgia, Kerman, and Kandahar against us, and strike a blow at the heart of the empire".[18][19]

These and similar arguments had put Sultan Husayn into paranoia. With the fear of provoking Russia, he had allowed Israel Orri to continue to Isfahan, and the suspicion of Ghurghis Khan had plagued the court and the Shah. As a result, Sultan Husayn had reappointed Mirwais to his position, and was to spy on Ghurghis Khan, and by any means, to remove him from power if he was thought to have started anything suspicious.[20] Mirwais then returned to Kandahar, enraging Ghurghis Khan on having to appoint Mirwais back to his positions. Ghurghis Khan, plotted to advure[check spelling] things toward him and demanded that Mirwais hand over his daughter to be his concubine. Mirwais, having been insulted by this, communicated with the heads of many other tribes, where they met in Mirwais' tent and consulted on plans for revolt. Mirwais asked to be the head of any revolt and requested the tribes follow his manner, which they respected and waited for him to give the signal.

For now, Mirwais disguised a young looking girl, well dressed to take the place of his daughter and be sent to Ghurghis Khan, which had worked. Mirwais was now ready for revolt, but had one obstacle in his way. When Ghurghis Khan had allowed the Persians to return to Persia, he kept the Georgians of the army as his bodyguards. Mirwais had gone around this by informing the Tarins – tribal governors of the Pishin valley – to stop paying tribute to Ghurghis Khan. Ghurghis Khan, not tolerating behavior toward plans for rebellion, dispatched the majority of his Georgian troops to the region. Mirwais meanwhile had been arranging members of the branch of the Ghilzais tribe, with him being the chief and marched out to approach within a few miles of Kandahar. Mirwais then invited the marching Georgians, including Ghurghis Khan to a banquet, expressing his distaste for the Tarins acting out.[21][22][23] Ghurghis Khan, unsuspicious of treachery and being welcomed and respected, attended with a few friends of his, with everything going well, Mirwais gave the signal, slaughtering the Georgians and Ghurghis Khan.[24] With Ghurhis Khan being slain, they turned their attention toward the remaining Georgian army, that was unaware of what had happened. Mirwais ordered the stripping of Ghurghis Khan and all his men, disguising themselves in his armor as Ghurghis Khan and his men. Mirwais then set out for Kandahar, leading in order with their appearance also giving off no suspicion, they entered the gates and turned on the Georgian army, cutting down the guards and admitting the awaiting Afghans from the rear, with the Georgian army then having been completely slaughtered by Mirwais and his followers.[25]

Declaration of the Hotak Dynasty and Reign[]

With the conspiracy succeeding, Mirwais assembled the inhabitants of Kandahar, leading a speech about how Persia is now weakened from the loss of Ghurghis Khan, and the opportunity of freedom and liberty now being available to the Afghans. Mirwais had declared the infamous words:

"If there are any amongst you, who have not the courage to enjoy this precious gift of liberty now dropped down to you from heaven, let him declare himself; no harm shall be done to him, he shall be permitted to go in search of some new tyrant beyond the frontier of this happy state."[26]

The reply had left nothing to be desired, with every Afghan hearing the speech now inspired to defend the liberty granted to them. Mirwais then assembled leading men from the different tribes and presented them the situation, with the Persians likely going to send a punitive expedition. Mirwais was then given complete executive power. As a result, Mirwais then began arming his forces and also spreading the word of his successes to other tribes to encourage them to join the revolt.[27]

Soon after, on the fourth day after Ghurghis Khan's murder, the rest of the Georgian dispatch had returned from their campaign to suppress the Tarins, numbering around 600 disciplined Georgian men. Mirwais allowed them to approach within musket shot fire, he then directed the guns to open up on the Georgian army. Mirwais opened up from another gate with over 5,000 cavalrymen of his own to cut off the Georgian retreat. However, 600 Georgians managed to slash their way through the cavalrymen led by Mirwais. Mirwais then pursued the Georgian army for days, though repelled, he inflicted heavy casualties amongst them.

The retreating Georgians carried the news of the revolution at Kandahar. The Persian court, having heard of this would try to solve the issue diplomatically due to fear of the Hotaks calling in the Mughals. The Persians sent an ambassador, Jani Khan to assure Mirwais that the murder of Ghurghis Khan would be forgiven if they allowed a Persian garrison in Kandahar. The Persians also made war-time preparations just in case the plan failed. The ambassador arrived in Kandahar and delivered his message, but he was cast into prison. The reason Mirwais imprisoned Jani Khan was to stall for time, delaying the preparations of Persia by not sending a reply to the court. Mirwais guessed the court's moves correctly, after hearing nothing of the return from Jani Khan, they sent another ambassador to Kandahar. This time, they sent the Governor of Herat, Muhammad Khan as he had good ties with the Ghilzais, and they believed that he could de-escalate the situation. Muhammad Khan was notified that he should "never make base proposals to men who are free."[28][29] When the ambassador returned, the Persian court realized that war was the only option to bring Mirwais and his followers to subjugation.[30]

Clashes with the Persian Army[]

In 1710, the Persians dispatched a force under the governor of Herat to march on Kandahar to put down the Hotaki Rebellion. Mirwais, having heard of the composition of the army being mostly Persians, advanced ahead against the Persian army with over 5,000 cavalrymen, and completely defeated the Persian army.[31][32] In the course of another 18 months, the Persians had dispatched another four armies to try and quell Mirwais and his followers, but time after time, they were defeated again. On the last attempt, the Persians forwarded over 5,000 men, commanded by Mahammad Khan, governor of Tabriz. Yet, the Persian army was completely repelled by the 500-men Afghan army, with the Persians suffering over 1,000 killed and wounded.[33] Amongst the prisoners from the battle was the governor of Tabriz himself and his three sons.[34]

In the wake of these defeats, the Persian court now focused all dependent portions of the Persian empire on the Hotaki Rebellion, with Ghurghis Khan's nephew, Khusru Khan being given a large Persian army to march to Kandahar against Mirwais and his followers. Khusru scouted ahead after advancing as far as Farah, with Mirwais taking up heavy positions near Ghirisk on the banks of the Helmand River, leaving the passes unguarded. Khusru led his army of 42,000 through the pass where he met Mirwais and his army. The Afghans, inferior in numbers were defeated by Khusru, with this victory, Khusru began marching on Kandahar.[35] Khusru demanded Kandahar to surrender to him, however, the Afghans decided to resist. Mirwais hastened to the south of Kandahar, mobilizing a force of Balochs and Tarins. With this force, Mirwais marched toward Kandahar to lift the siege. He cut off enemy supply lines, laid waste to the land around Kandahar, and threatened his communications. Khusru tried to keep up the siege as long as he could, attempting multiple assaults; however, his army bled away, losing two-thirds of his force to scorched earth tactics and enemy counterattacks. With this, Khusru called for his retreat, but it was too late. Mirwais closed in on Khusru's exhausted and wounded force with over 16,000 Afghans; the Persian army was destroyed and Khusru Khan was killed.[36]

The Persians tried again in 1713-1714, with an army led by Muhammad Rustum Khan, however after all these attempts, the Persian armies were defeated in every encounter with Mirwais. Muhammad Rustum Khan was forced to withdraw in 1714 from the Afghan armies. This was the last effort put forward by Sultan Husayn and his court.[37]

Death and legacy[]

The mausoleum of Mirwais Hotak in the Kokaran section of Kandahar, Afghanistan

Mirwais remained in power until his death in November 1715 and was succeeded by his brother Abdul Aziz, who was later killed by Mirwais' son Mahmud, allegedly for planning to give Kandahar's sovereignty back to Persia.[38] In 1717, Mahmud took advantage of the political weakness of the Persian Shah (Sultan Husayn) and briefly conquered large parts Persia.

Mirwais is buried in his mausoleum in the Kokaran section of Kandahar, which is in the western end of the city.[39] He is regarded as one of Afghanistan's greatest national heroes and admired by many Afghans, especially the Pashtuns. Steven Otfinoski referred to him as Afghanistan's George Washington in his 2004 book Afghanistan.[8]

There is a neighborhood called Mirwais Mina as well as a hospital called Mirwais Hospital, a high school and a business center named after him in Kandahar. There are also schools and a number of institutions or places across Afghanistan built to honor him. A few direct descendants of Mirwais are living today among the Hotak tribe.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Dupree, Louis (1980). Afghanistan. Princeton University Press. p. 322. ISBN 0-691-03006-5. Mirwais Khan Hotak, the Hotaki Ghilzai chieftain and nominal mayor of Qandahar was a much more formidable rival than Mir Samander.
  2. ^ Bellew, Henry Walter (1891). An Inquiry Into the Ethnography of Afghanistan: Prepared and Presented to the Ninth International Congress of Orientalists (London, September, 1891). The Ghilji of Afghanistan , called also Ghalzoe , Khalaja , and Khalachi , are said to be a Turk tribe from beyond the Jaxartes , and of the Khilichi , or “ Swordsmen " tribe of Turk .: Oriental university institute.
  3. ^ Malleson, George Bruce (1878). History of Afghanistan, from the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. London: Elibron.com. p. 227. ISBN 1402172788. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  4. ^ Ewans, Martin; Sir Martin Ewans (2002). Afghanistan: a short history of its people and politics. New York: Perennial. p. 30. ISBN 0060505087. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  5. ^ Axworthy, Michael (2006). Sword of Persia: Nader Shah, from tribal warrior to conquering tyrant. New York: I.B. Tauris. p. 186. ISBN 1850437068. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  6. ^ "AN OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF PERSIA DURING THE LAST TWO CENTURIES (A.D. 1722–1922)". Edward Granville Browne. London: Packard Humanities Institute. p. 29. Retrieved 2010-10-01.
  7. ^ "Mirwais Neeka".
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Otfinoski, Steven (2004). Afghanistan. Infobase Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 0816050562. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  9. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 212. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  10. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 213. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  11. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 213. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  12. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 213. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  13. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 215. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  14. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 218. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  15. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 219. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  16. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 219. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  17. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 220. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  18. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 220. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  19. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 221. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  20. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 221. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  21. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 222. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  22. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 223. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  23. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 224. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  24. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 225. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  25. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 226. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  26. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 227. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  27. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 228. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  28. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 229. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  29. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 230. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  30. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 230. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  31. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 230. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  32. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 231. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  33. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 231. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  34. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 231. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  35. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 232. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  36. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 233. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  37. ^ Malleson, George (1878). History of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. p. 233. ISBN 0343739771. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  38. ^ Malleson, George Bruce (1878). History of Afghanistan, from the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878. London: Elibron.com. p. 234. ISBN 1402172788. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  39. ^ "Mir Wais Hotak (1709–1715)". Nancy Hatch Dupree. Retrieved 2010-10-01.

External links[]

Political offices
Preceded by
Gurgin Khan 		Emir of Afghanistan
April 1709 – November 1715 		Succeeded by
Abdul Aziz Hotak
Retrieved from ""