Mohammadzai

Mohammadzai (Pashto: محمد زی) (meaning son of Muhammad in Pashto language) is the name of several Pashtun tribes found in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

One prominent group of Mohammadzai, belonging to the Barakzai branch of the Durrani confederacy, are primarily centered around Kandahar. They can also be found in other provinces throughout Afghanistan as well across the border in the Pakistan's Balochistan Province where many Mohammadzai live as well.

Distribution

Afghanistan

Mohammadzai tribes are found in Kandahar's Arghistan and Maruf districts, Kabul, Herat, Kunduz, Ningarhar, Takhar, Rostak, Maimana, Mazari Sharif, Faryab, and Baghlan.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, tribes of this name can be found in Balochistan and Charsadda, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.^[1] Other sizeable colonies have settled the major urban centers of the country. Notable communities are located in Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore. In Balochistan Mohammadzai live in Chaghi, Khuzdar,Wadh,Qalat,Dasht e goran and Quetta.In Chaghi their main area is RekoDiq siarek.Mohammadzai is also locates in Peshawar on Dalazak road in the village of Mohammadzai.

History

The Barakzai Mohammadzai's ascended to power following the collapse of the Sadozai (Popalzai) dynasty. They have been a politically active and well represented group, and have wielded considerable influence in the region for much of Afghanistan's modern history.

Language

Barakzai Mohammadzai's 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 Mohammadzai's who speak Dari Persian as a second language, especially those whom live around Persian speaking non-Pashtun Afghans, many of Afghanistan's 19th century Mohammadzai rulers were Dari speaking Pashtuns. The Mohammadzai of Balchistan speak balochi.

Politics

From 1826 to 1978, many rulers of Afghanistan were Mohammadzai's from the Barakzai lineage.^[2]

• Emir Dost Muhammad Khan - (First Mohammadzai Ruler)
• Emir Sher Ali Khan - Emir of Afghanistan
• Emir Yaqub Khan - Emir of Afghanistan, Signed treaty of Gandamak.
• Emir Abdur Rahman Khan - Emir of Afghanistan (October 1879/July 22, 1880-October 3, 1901)
• Emir Habibullah Khan - Emir of Afghanistan (October 3, 1901 - February 20, 1919)
• Emir Amanullah Khan - Emir of Afghanistan (February 28, 1919 - 1926)
• King Amanullah Khan - King of Afghanistan (1926 - 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).
• Mahmud Tarzi - Poet, Author and Diplomat. Credited for the modernization of Afghanistan.
• Sardar Ghulam Muhammad Tarzi - Poet, Ruler of Kandahar & Baluchistan.
• Sardar Rahmdil Khan - Ruler of Kandahar & Baluchistan.
• Sardar Payinda Khan - Ruler of Kandahar & Baluchistan. Father of All Mohammadzai's
• 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 Afghan President) (July 18, 1973 - April 28, 1978)

See also

• Pashtun tribes

References

1. ^ http://www.khyber.org/pashtotribes/k/kheshki.shtml
2. ^ Afghanistan - Ethnic Groups