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Mohammadzai (meaning son of Mohammad in Pashto) is the name of one of the Pashtun tribes found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are primarily centered around Kandahar, although they can be found in other provinces throughout Afghanistan as well across the border in the Pakistan's Balochistan province where many Mohammadzai live as well.
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Distribution
Afghanistan
Although based mainly in Kandahars Arghistan and Maruf districts, the Mohammadzais have settled in many areas of Afghanistan. They can be found in Kabul, Herat, Kunduz, Takhar, Rostak, Maimana, Faryab, Mazari Sharif, Faryab, and Baghlan.
Pakistan
Members of the Mohammadzai tribe can be found in south west Pakistan in the Balochistan province and charsadda Pakistan. Other sizeable colonies have settled the major urban centres of the country, notable communities are located in Peshawer, Karachi (Sindh) and Lahore.
History
The Mohammadzais ascended to power following the collapse of the Sadozai(Popalzai) dynasty. They have been the most politically active and well represented group and have wielded considerable influence in the region for much of Afghanistan's modern history.
During the reign of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, many ethnic Pashtuns colonized the northern provinces of Afghanistan to build a base of support there and to ensure the various minorities living there would not pose a threat to the central Pashtun dominated government. [1]
Language
Mohammadzais usually have the southern dialect of Pashto. The elites of this tribe usually speak the northern Pashto dialect found in Nangarhar province, however there are many Mohammadzais who speak Dari Persian more than their native Pashto especially those whom live around Non-Pashtuns (i.e. Tajiks and Hazaras).
Politics
The Mohammadzais are among the more urban, educated, and progressive tribes in Pashtun society. The last King of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir Shah, was also Mohammadzai. In the late 1970s, the Mohammadzais lost power to the pro-communist government of Afghanistan (which were mostly from the rival Ghilzai tribe). From 1826 to 1978, many rulers of Afghanistan were Mohammadzais from the Barakzai lineage.[2]
Notable individuals
- Fasi Zaka - Writer,Poet,Journalist,Academic,Rhodes Scholar, Radio Host and TV Personality.
- Emir Abdur Rahman Khan (October 1879/July 22, 1880-October 3, 1901)
- King Habibullah Khan (October 3, 1901 - February 20, 1919)
- King Amanullah Khan (February 28, 1919 - January 14, 1929)
- Queen Soraya Tarzi (w. of King Amanullah Khan) (November 29, 1899 - April 20, 1968)
- King Inayatullah Khan (January 14, 1929 - January 17, 1929)
- King Mohammed Nadir Shah (October 17, 1929 - November 8, 1933)
- King Mohammed Zahir Shah (November 8, 1933 - July 17, 1973)
- President Mohammed Daoud Khan (First Proclaimed President) (July 18, 1909 - April 28, 1978)
- Mahmud Tarzi - poet, author, and diplomat
- Queen Marjan of the Mohammadzai lineage
- Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (c. 1890 - January 20, 1988), prominent Indian freedom fighter and Pakhtun nationalist in the North West Frontier Province of British India (later Pakistan)
- Abdul Ghani Jamali
See also
References
