MALIK AHMAD KHAN YUSAFZAI

A Charismatic leader and a National Hero1470 A.D to 1535 A.D

The Dwelling Place of YusafzaisYusafzai is a well-known Pakhtun tribe. This tribe has, undoubtedly, played a very vital role in the history of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Gandhara (the existing Peshawar valley) was actually the original home of Yusafzais. They lived there till early 5th centaury A.D, when the white Huns invaded Gandhara and uprooted the Yusafzai , as well as some other Khakhey and Ghoriakhel clans from Gandhara . They moved on and ultimately settled in the limits of Kandhar. It may be mentioned here that Kandhar was the new name made popular by the arrival and settlement of Gandharies here, the emigrants from the former Gandhara. In course of years, Gandhara the name of the new colony began to be popularly called KandharThe Yusafzais continued to dwell in Kandhar for about nine hundred years until the last portion of the thirteenth 13th century or early14th century. With passage of time, their number and strength increased and they became more influential and powerful. It was actually with the enthusiastic support and full practical help of the Yusafzais that the young, inexperienced Ulugh Beg ascended the throne of Kabul in the year 1470 A.D. The turbulent and powerful Yusafzais were, as a matter of fact, largely instrumental in raising him to the throne. Initially Ulugh Beg treated this powerful tribe with special favors and marked distinction in his courts. He in fact was dependent on their support, to maintain his throne. As years passed, the number, strength and prosperity of the Yusafzais further increased, causing, obviously, more increase in their arrogance, insolence and lawless activities. Being annoyed, Ulugh Beg decided to rid himself of these lawless, powerful allies. As soon as he succeeded in consolidating his position and creating differences and discord among the Yusafzais and their cousins of Khakheys clan, the Gigyanies, he openly turned against them (the Yusafzais).With full support of the Gigyanies and his own army, he attacked the Yusafzai with full force. Ulugh Beg was however defeated in this fierce battle fought at Ghawara Murgha.The Yusafzais grew bolder and more confident and started raids from the inaccessible mountains. As a result, the rule of Ulugh Beg was greatly destabilized and he became weaker and more vulnerable.Massacre of 700 YusafzaisA series of attempt to subdue the turbulent and fiercely independent Yusafzais by force, miserably failed. Troops were sent against them to the surrounding hills on several occasions, but they always returned with huge loss of lives, highly demoralized and defeated. He therefore was constrained to change his tactics and adopt a kind and conciliatory attitude towards them. This policy worked well on the Yusafzais who once again started to receive unusual honours and special favors in the court. As soon as the confidence was restored, Ulugh Beg invited seven hundred Maliks, notable and elders of Yusafzais for a banquet in his court. One but six came alive from this infamous banquet, the rest were massacred to a man. This horrible tragedy occurred in 1485 A.D.It was indeed the unkindest cut of all, barbarous and brutal, cruel and inhuman. Shocking and painful act as it was, it was particularly disastrous for the Yusafzais. It utterly destroyed and shattered their social, political and military strength. Deprived of their prominent, talented and top most experienced elders, they were virtually crippled, made homeless and leaderless.Selection of Ahmad khan as a leaderIn fact, the shock was too sever to express, the loss was too great to repair and the vacuum too large to fill. It seemed that the ship was wrecked; only the wreckage was left. It was undoubtedly a very difficult time for Yusafzais. They were rendered broken, friendless, homeless and above all leaderless. They badly needed a strong, wise and talented leader, to collect the remanents of the wreck and build a robust ship again. Thus, a leader in this critical hour was needed to organize the shattered and scattered tribe of Yusafzais into a great-organized might once again. It was certainly a difficult task, an extraordinary leader of rare wisdom and unusual foresight and vision was needed for this purpose. Excessive consultations were started among various groups of the tribe for several days.Loya JirgaAt last, a large representative Loya Jirga met at a suitable place. Several religions scholars of repute also attended this important meeting .After a good deal of consultations and discussion they actually found the type of leader, they so badly needed and for whom they were so strenuously searching. The leader on whom all unanimously agreed was no one else than the young, Ahmad khan .Who had also been recommended by Malik Suleiman Shah in his lifetime as his successor.Malik Ahmad khanMalik Ahmad khan belonged to the Mandanr branch of Yusafzais. Malik Sultan Shah was his father and Malik Tajudin was his grand father; while Malik Qasim was his great grand father. All the descendents of Malik Qasim are called as Malikzais. As is evident Ahmads father, grandfather and great grandfather all had been prominent Maliks and chiefs of the tribe in their lifetime. A long ceremonial prayers were offered on this occasion by a very pious and well-known scholar Mullah Hussain Ranizai an outstanding religions personality of the time, for the success of the new leader. A turban was placed on his head as a mark of honour and responsibility. Collective prayers were also offered for his success after which the entire loyal Jirga congratulated the new leader on this occasion. It is said that Malik Ahmad had an outstanding fame and reputation of an excellent speaker. Thus, the speech, which he delivered after his selection, was highly impressive and spell bound on the audience .As is well known Yusafzais is the biggest of all Afghan tribes in number and strength. The election of its leader therefore was a decision of great political importance, which will have an important bearing on the future course of activities.The most probable year of birth of Malik Ahmad khan was 1470A.D, incidentally this is also the year on which Ulugh Beg ascended the throne of Kabul, thus Malik Ahmad khan became the leader of Yusafzais at the age of roughly 16 years. As these dates are not precisely accurate. His age might have been roughly 20 years on that occasion. Even then, he was given this heavy responsibility at a young age. It seems that massacre of 700 prominent and experienced leader might have increased the chances of his selection. It however appears that the outstanding reputation and fame of his wisdom, maturity, fore sight and vision was actually the main reason of his selection.Unusual wisdom and maturity of Ahmad khanIt may also be mentioned here that in urban society two persons or families living in close neighbour hood virtually do not know each other. But in rural society especially among the Pakhtuns, they not only intimately know every person but are also aware about the complete history of their families . any significant thing said or done or unusual incident or extra ordinary act or qualities of individuals spreads quickly for and wide and reach almost every house of a village or locality .As such the members of the Loya Jirga ,thoroughly knew Ahmad khan and his family and were very well aware about his conduct, character, personality ,reputation and fame. The collective judgment of the traditional Afghan Loya Jirga is thus based on correct information and reliable reports. As a result, the collective decision of this Jirga is always well conceived, well balanced and durable. The decision of this body is still more calculated, specifically correct and free of errors at a critical period when their survival is actually involved. The unanimous decision of all the members is thus a clear manifestation of the unusual wisdom, maturity, foresight and vision of Malik Ahmad khan.A great trust on Malik Ahmad khanThe decision displays a complete confidence on his leader ship and maturity even at this young age. It is indeed an explicit acceptance of his outstanding talents and skill to lead the Yusafzais and their allies to a better and more secure future. The collective decision of the Loya Jirga was not only a tremendous trust reposed on the young shoulders of Malik Ahmad khan but it was also a great tribute to the extra ordinary qualities granted to him by God at this young age. This was undoubtedly, the highest responsibility and the greatest honour that the Yusafzais could give to him at this stage. They gave their destiny of the predominantly large tribe in to his hands. This in itself is a clear indication and an ample proof of his superiority in conduct, character, personality and the inherent qualities required for effective leadership