Durrani Empire

Quick Facts: Who was Durrani Empire?

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Durrani Empire

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Afghan empire founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani, dominating Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

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Origins & Early Life

The Durrani Empire, colloquially known as the Kingdom of Afghanistan, the Afghan Empire, or the Sadozai Kingdom, was an Afghan empire founded in 1747 by Ahmad Shah Durrani, of the Pashtun Durrani tribe. The empire spanned parts of Central Asia, the Iranian plateau, and the Indian subcontinent. At its peak, it ruled over present-day Afghanistan, much of Pakistan, parts of northeastern and southeastern Iran, eastern Turkmenistan, and northwestern India. Alongside the Ottoman Empire, the Durrani Empire is considered one of the most significant Islamic empires of the second half of the 18th century. Ahmad was the son of Muhammad Zaman Khan, chief of the Abdali tribe, and the commander of Nader Shah Afshar.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Following Afshar's death in June 1747, Ahmad secured western and central Afghanistan by taking Kandahar and Ghazni. After his accession as the nation's king, he changed his tribal name from Abdali to Durrani. In 1749, the Maratha Empire controlled eastern Afghanistan after driving out the Mughals; Ahmad then set out westward to take possession of Mashhad, which was ruled by the Afsharid dynasty under Shahrokh Shah, who also acknowledged Afghan suzerainty. Subsequently, Ahmad sent an army to subdue the areas north of the Hindu Kush down to the Amu Darya, and in short order, all of the different Afghan tribes began to join his cause. Under Ahmad, the Afghans invaded India on eight occasions, subjugating parts of Kashmir and the majority of Punjab.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In early 1757, Ahmad Shah sacked Delhi, but permitted Mughal emperor Alamgir II to remain in nominal control as long as he acknowledged Afghan suzerainty over the regions south of the Indus River, up to the Sutlej River. Following Ahmad's death in 1772, his son Timur Shah Durrani became the next ruler of the Durrani dynasty. Under Timur, Kabul became the new capital of the Durrani Empire, while Peshawar served as its winter capital. However, the empire had begun to crumble by this time, and lost Peshawar, Multan, and Kashmir to the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century. The dynasty continued in Afghanistan for generations, up until Dost Muhammad Khan and the Barakzai dynasty deposed it in Kabul, leading to its supersession by the Emirate of Afghanistan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1747: 1747 Milestone — The Durrani Empire, colloquially known as the Kingdom of Afghanistan, the Afghan Empire, or the Sadozai Kingdom, was an Afghan empire founded in 1747 by Ahmad Shah Durrani, of the Pashtun Durrani tribe.
2. 1749: 1749 Milestone — In 1749, the Maratha Empire controlled eastern Afghanistan after driving out the Mughals; Ahmad then set out westward to take possession of Mashhad, which was ruled by the Afsharid dynasty under Shahrokh Shah, who also acknowledged Afghan suzerainty.
3. 1757: 1757 Milestone — In early 1757, Ahmad Shah sacked Delhi, but permitted Mughal emperor Alamgir II to remain in nominal control as long as he acknowledged Afghan suzerainty over the regions south of the Indus River, up to the Sutlej River.
4. 1772: 1772 Milestone — Following Ahmad's death in 1772, his son Timur Shah Durrani became the next ruler of the Durrani dynasty.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Durrani Empire

True or False: “The Durrani Empire's initial foundation was solely due to military conquest against the Mughal Empire.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While military action was key, the founding involved a formal process where Ahmad Khan was selected by a loya jirga (grand council) in Kandahar.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Durrani Empire