Taliban has hoisted its flag on Hazrat Ali mosque of Mazar I Sharif.
This mosque is especially venerated by Shia Hazaras of Afghanistan.
This development is of extreme significance in the light of history and has implications on the very definition of Afghanistan
Thread.
This mosque is especially venerated by Shia Hazaras of Afghanistan.
This development is of extreme significance in the light of history and has implications on the very definition of Afghanistan
Thread.
The Afghanistan we see on the map today was created by Afghan King Emir Abdur Rahman in 1900.
Before 1880, the entire central region of Afghanistan constituted a different country that was known by the name Hazaristan or Hazarajat
It was NOT considered a part of Afghanistan
Before 1880, the entire central region of Afghanistan constituted a different country that was known by the name Hazaristan or Hazarajat
It was NOT considered a part of Afghanistan
That Afghanistan is nation of Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, etc is just a modern notion created 50 years ago.
Consider this Afghan idiom of the famous Pashtun poet Khushal Khattak(c. 1613 -1689 CE)
"An Afghan is a Pashtun and a Pashtun is an Afghan. BĪµhead him who says otherwise"
Consider this Afghan idiom of the famous Pashtun poet Khushal Khattak(c. 1613 -1689 CE)
"An Afghan is a Pashtun and a Pashtun is an Afghan. BĪµhead him who says otherwise"
Who are Hazaras?
Hazaras are considered by historians to be descendants of Genghis Khan's army.
This is supported by their Asiatic features.
Although a majority of Hazaras adopted Persian with their own Hazaragi dialect, some still speak a Turkic language known as "Moghul"
Hazaras are considered by historians to be descendants of Genghis Khan's army.
This is supported by their Asiatic features.
Although a majority of Hazaras adopted Persian with their own Hazaragi dialect, some still speak a Turkic language known as "Moghul"
An overwhelming majority of Hazaras are Shia by faith, in contrast to their Sunni Pashtun neighbors.
Hazaras are distinct from other Afghans linguistically, culturally and ethnically.
Traditionally, they inhabited the entire central region of Afghanistan from Ghazni to Herat
Hazaras are distinct from other Afghans linguistically, culturally and ethnically.
Traditionally, they inhabited the entire central region of Afghanistan from Ghazni to Herat
That Hazaras were distinct nation from Afghans is attested by Abul Fazl (c.16th century)
Abul Fazl says-" Hazaras are the descendants of the army sent by Manku Khan(Grandson of Genghis Khan).
Hazaristan spans from Ghazni to Qandahar and from Maidan to Balkh"
Ain I Akbari I.591
Abul Fazl says-" Hazaras are the descendants of the army sent by Manku Khan(Grandson of Genghis Khan).
Hazaristan spans from Ghazni to Qandahar and from Maidan to Balkh"
Ain I Akbari I.591
According to US Dept of state, Hazaras today constitute 15% of Afghanistan's population. However, these figures were disputed by Hazaras themselves who claimed that they were 25%.
The UN Bonn conference (2001) estimated Hazara population at 19%.
The UN Bonn conference (2001) estimated Hazara population at 19%.
Until 1880, Hazaras formed 67% of the population of today's Afghanistan region.
Except for a few Hazara tribes residing in the vicinity of Kabul & Kandahar who paid annual tribute, the Hazaras were independent and NOT under the control of Pashtun (Barakzai) rulers of Afghanistan
Except for a few Hazara tribes residing in the vicinity of Kabul & Kandahar who paid annual tribute, the Hazaras were independent and NOT under the control of Pashtun (Barakzai) rulers of Afghanistan
Hazaras subsisted on cattle breeding. Made their living by taxing (& raiding) Silk Route caravans from India to Central Asia passing through Bamiyan.
They were independent & divided into several tribes . An exceptional Hazara chief named Mir Yazdan Baksh(c.1800 CE) united them
They were independent & divided into several tribes . An exceptional Hazara chief named Mir Yazdan Baksh(c.1800 CE) united them
The rising Hazara power under Mir Yazdan Baksh could not be tolerated by Afghan king Dost Mohammad Khan.
Khan invited Hazara chief to Kabul under pretext of friendship. He assured safety under QurĪ±n oath.
In Kabul, the unsuspecting Hazara chief was arrested at first opportunity
Khan invited Hazara chief to Kabul under pretext of friendship. He assured safety under QurĪ±n oath.
In Kabul, the unsuspecting Hazara chief was arrested at first opportunity
Yazdan Hazara had a prudent wife who had cautioned him about treachery of Afghan Khan.
But as hubbie wouldn't relent,she had also come with him.
Afghan king decided to kiII them. But by taking advantage of king's avarice & making false promise of tribute,they heroically escaped
But as hubbie wouldn't relent,she had also come with him.
Afghan king decided to kiII them. But by taking advantage of king's avarice & making false promise of tribute,they heroically escaped
This was an early Afghan attempt to subdue Hazaras.
However, Hazaras subjugation was carried to completion by an Afghan king named Abdur Rahman khan in 1888 CE.
He was a Sunni extremist who believed in complete extĪrmination of shias & non muzlims through ghastly punishments
However, Hazaras subjugation was carried to completion by an Afghan king named Abdur Rahman khan in 1888 CE.
He was a Sunni extremist who believed in complete extĪrmination of shias & non muzlims through ghastly punishments
In 1888, Abdur Rahman called for his first invasion against Hazara country.
He called for a JihĪ¬d and told the Pashtun tribes "heads will be mine and the property will be yours".
He jailed Hazara tribal leaders. A few Hazaras revolted but their rebellion was brutally crushed
He called for a JihĪ¬d and told the Pashtun tribes "heads will be mine and the property will be yours".
He jailed Hazara tribal leaders. A few Hazaras revolted but their rebellion was brutally crushed
It was Abdur Rahman Khan who first conquered almost all of the Hazara tribes.
Between 1880-1891, he brought 60% of Hazara tribes under control.
Between 1880-1891, he brought 60% of Hazara tribes under control.
The Afghan conquest of Hazaristan was extremely brutal.
They used to marry Hazara women by force.
Hazaras were forced to utter abuses at Imam Ali(venerated by Shias)
Hazaras were subjected to extremely brutal punishments like burning genitĪ¬ls with fire.
Exorbitant taxes
They used to marry Hazara women by force.
Hazaras were forced to utter abuses at Imam Ali(venerated by Shias)
Hazaras were subjected to extremely brutal punishments like burning genitĪ¬ls with fire.
Exorbitant taxes
Hazaras tolerated everything for a while.
One day, 33 Afghan soldiers rĪ¬ped the wife of a Hazara in front of him.
The Hazaras, preferring death to dishonor, decided it was enough & kiIIed Afghan soldiers.
Other Hazaras also joined and this snowballed into a major rebellion
One day, 33 Afghan soldiers rĪ¬ped the wife of a Hazara in front of him.
The Hazaras, preferring death to dishonor, decided it was enough & kiIIed Afghan soldiers.
Other Hazaras also joined and this snowballed into a major rebellion
In response, Afghan king Abdur Rahman assembled Sunni religious leaders and declared a JihĪ¬d on "godless Shias".
He promised Hazara land, Hazara wealth and children as rewards of war
All Afghan tribes united under the JihĪ¬d
The Hazara revolt was brutally crushed
He promised Hazara land, Hazara wealth and children as rewards of war
All Afghan tribes united under the JihĪ¬d
The Hazara revolt was brutally crushed
After the crushing defeat of Hazaras, they were enslaved.
Hazara slaves became so cheap in Kabul that they could be brought for 10 seers of wheat.
Hazaristan became part of Afghanistan
Hazara slaves became so cheap in Kabul that they could be brought for 10 seers of wheat.
Hazaristan became part of Afghanistan
Many refractory Hazara were forcibly deported from Hazaristan.
They were sold as slaves in Kabuli. Today's Kabuli Hazaras are their descendants.
Hazaras could not bear the oppression. Many tribes migrated to British India(Quetta) where they form a large diaspora even today
They were sold as slaves in Kabuli. Today's Kabuli Hazaras are their descendants.
Hazaras could not bear the oppression. Many tribes migrated to British India(Quetta) where they form a large diaspora even today
Some Hazaras were forced to embrace Sunni faith. Sunni mosques were built in Hazaristan.
To counter Hazara numerical strength, Pashtun tribes were settled in Hazaristan. Hazara land was seized and given to Pashtun settlers. Many Hazaras migrated to Iran to escape persecution
To counter Hazara numerical strength, Pashtun tribes were settled in Hazaristan. Hazara land was seized and given to Pashtun settlers. Many Hazaras migrated to Iran to escape persecution
Hazaras were banned from owning houses or weapons. Blo0d tax was imposed on Hazaras.
Arable areas of Hazaristan were depopulated of Hazaras and given over to Pashtun nomads.
More than half of Hazara population was kiIIed or forced out
Arable areas of Hazaristan were depopulated of Hazaras and given over to Pashtun nomads.
More than half of Hazara population was kiIIed or forced out
Hazara women were made sĪµx slaves. Some women preferred dĪµath over dishonor.
In one incident in 1893, 47 Hazara women jumped off the cliff to avoid capture at the hands of Sunni Afghan soldiers.
This incident has been in the Hazara memory and these women are honored even today
In one incident in 1893, 47 Hazara women jumped off the cliff to avoid capture at the hands of Sunni Afghan soldiers.
This incident has been in the Hazara memory and these women are honored even today
Hence, in Persian language, there is a saying
"Sag e Afghan kas Dara adam e Hazarah nah"
"Even a d0g of Pashtuns has a protector but a Hazara does not
"Sag e Afghan kas Dara adam e Hazarah nah"
"Even a d0g of Pashtuns has a protector but a Hazara does not
A bridge in Kabul has the name "Pul e Yak Piasagi"
"The bridge of one paisa"
This was because at this place Hazara slaves were sold at one paisa.
"The bridge of one paisa"
This was because at this place Hazara slaves were sold at one paisa.
Until 1970, Sunni Pashtun Mullahs declared that kiIIing a Hazara secures AllĪ±h's favor.
This was not just mere rhetoric. One Latif Ghul rĪ±ped and kiIIed 40 Hazaras.
Later he confessed several Mullahs told him that "pious acts" like Hazara kiIIing absolved his previous sins
This was not just mere rhetoric. One Latif Ghul rĪ±ped and kiIIed 40 Hazaras.
Later he confessed several Mullahs told him that "pious acts" like Hazara kiIIing absolved his previous sins
It is against this background that Taliban offensive against Hazaras has to be understood.
"Hazaras are not MĪ¼slim, they are Shia. They are kuffar"
āMullah Manan Niazi, Taliban Governor.
No wonder, then, that Hazaras have been a target in Pakistan and Afghanistan even today
"Hazaras are not MĪ¼slim, they are Shia. They are kuffar"
āMullah Manan Niazi, Taliban Governor.
No wonder, then, that Hazaras have been a target in Pakistan and Afghanistan even today
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