Mirwais Hotak - ميرويس هوتک

Mirwais Khan Hotak, (1673–1715) Ghilzai Pashtoon, founder of the  Hotak Dynasty and Emir of Greater Kandahar* is widely celebrated amongst the Pashtoons for ending the repressive rule of Gorgin Khan, (King George of Kartli, Georgia) when the latter was posted to Kandahar as Viceroy (Beglarbeg) by the Safavid ruler, Soltan Hussein. 

Mirwais Hotak, was at first taken prisoner by Gorgin Khan and sent  to Isfahan, but then was later granted the right to perform Hajj by the Shah. He returned to Kandahar to challenge the Gorgin where he raised a rebellion and took this to into Persia, ending the 200 year rule of the Safavids and establishing Afghan rule over Isfahan. 

MIrwais refused the title of King, despite his liberation of Afghan lands and his conquest of Persia, but instead accepted the tile of Mashar (elder). To the Pashtoons, Haji Mirwais Hotak remains Mirwais Neeka حاجي ميرويس نيکه (Grandfather Mirwais) a unifier of the Pashtoon people and a national hero. 

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*today this would be much of southern Afghanistan and Sistan-Balochistan

For a short film on Afghan History, click here.

Chariots and Elephants

Sarbaz-e-Shah (Foot-Soldier/Pawn King)

An old favourite of mine. Modern chess was popularised when it reached Europe through the Spanish Arabs; itself originating out of an earlier variant of of the game made popular by the Persians. Shatranj شَطْرَنْج, as it is still known in the Islamic world, itself traces back to India. The modern rules are essentially the same as the original game of Shatranj with slight variants, however the pieces are effectively the same. The Shah is King, the Vizier is Queen, Pils/Fils (Elephants) are Bishops, Asbs (Horses) are Knights; Rukhs (Chariots) are Rooks or Castles and the Sarbaz are the Pawns (Peons or Footsoldiers).

You can play chess right here! (Click below)

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