Ahmad Shah Durrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali, was born in 1722 CE in Herat, a city in present-day Afghanistan. He was the son of Mohammad Zaman Khan, the chief of the Abdali tribe and Governor of Herat, and Zarghuna Ana, the daughter of Khalu Khan Alkozai. His strong lineage and tribal influence paved the way for his future leadership.
Early Life and Rise to Power
In 1729, Nader Shah Afshar, the ruler of Persia, recruited the Abdali tribe into his army. Ahmad Shah and his brother Zulfiqar joined his ranks. During a campaign, they were captured but released after the conquest of Kandahar in 1738.
Ahmad Shah began his career as a personal attendant. His discipline and bravery soon earned him promotion to commander of the Abdali Regiment, a force of 4,000 soldiers. His courage made him one of Nader Shah’s most trusted commanders.
Becoming the King of Afghanistan
When Nader Shah was assassinated in 1747, his empire fell into chaos. A council of Afghan tribal leaders (jirga) gathered in Kandahar. They chose Ahmad Shah as King of Afghanistan in July 1747.
He set up his capital in Kandahar and formed a council of advisers from different Afghan tribes. He took the royal title “Shah Durr-i-Durran,” meaning “King, Pearl of Pearls.” The Abdali tribe was renamed Durrani, marking the birth of the Durrani Empire.
The Expansion of His Empire
Ahmad Shah Durrani built one of the largest empires in Asia during the 18th century. He expanded his rule:
- Eastward into India, including parts of the Mughal and Maratha territories.
- Westward into Iran.
- Northward into Bukhara in Central Asia.
Within years, his empire stretched from Khorasan to Kashmir, and from the Amu Darya River to the Arabian Sea. Despite being a strong military leader, Ahmad Shah also valued poetry, culture, and justice.
See Also: Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni Family Tree – Ghaznavid Dynasty
The Death of Ahmad Shah Durrani
Ahmad Shah Durrani ruled for over two decades. In his later years, he suffered from a painful and lingering illness, possibly cancer or ulcers. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued to govern and protect his empire with determination.
Ahmad Shah Durrani passed away in 1772 CE in Maruf, Kandahar Province. His body was later transferred to Kandahar City, where his mausoleum still stands today — a revered symbol of Afghan unity and identity.
Legacy
Ahmad Shah Durrani is remembered as the founder of modern Afghanistan and a unifying figure who laid the foundations of the Afghan nation.
