Ahmad Shah Durrani also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali was born in 1722 AD in Herat, a city in present-day Afghanistan, to Mohammad Zaman Khan, the chief of the Abdali tribe and Governor of Herat, and Zarghuna Ana, the daughter of Khalu Khan Alkozai. His lineage and tribal connections played a significant role in his future leadership.
In 1729, Nader Shah Afshar, the Shah of Persia, enlisted the Abdalis into his army, recognizing their strength and warrior tradition. Ahmad Shah, along with his brother Zulfiqar, was captured during one of Nader Shah’s campaigns. However, after the conquest of Kandahar in 1738, both were freed and given prominent positions in the Persian court.
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Ahmad Shah began as a personal attendant but quickly rose through the ranks due to his loyalty and military skill. He was eventually promoted to commander of the Abdali Regiment, a respected unit of 4,000 soldiers. His courage and strategic brilliance made him an important figure in Nader Shah’s army.
In June 1747, Nader Shah was assassinated by his own guards, causing a sudden power vacuum across his empire. Ahmad Shah was appointed as the King of Afghanistan by a loyal jirga in Kandahar in July 1747, where he set up his capital. Assisted by a council of nine advisers from various Afghan tribes. One of Durrani’s first acts as chief was to adopt the epithet Shāh Durr-i-Durrān, “King, Pearl of Pearls,” and changed the name of his Abdali tribe to “Durrani” after himself.
Ahmad Shah Durrani pushed east towards the Mughal and Maratha Empires of India, west towards the disintegrating Afsharid Empire of Iran, and north towards the Khanate of Bukhara of Turkestan. Within a few years, he extended his control from Khorasan in the west to Kashmir and North India in the east, and from the Amu Darya in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.
Despite his military background, Ahmad Shah was also a cultured and literary figure. He wrote odes in Pashto, expressing themes of patriotism, bravery, and love for his homeland. He also composed several poems in Persian, the classical literary language of the region. His poetry continues to be celebrated in Afghan society today. He is considered not just a political figure but also a symbol of Afghan identity and pride.
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Ahmad Shah Durrani is affectionately known as Ahmad Shah Bābā, meaning “Ahmad Shah the Father”. His legacy as the founder of the modern Afghan state is celebrated across Afghanistan. Through his leadership, he united warring tribes, established a powerful empire, and secured Afghan independence during a time of regional chaos.
