Ahmadzai
Encyclopedia
Aḥmadzai is a Pashtun
tribe. There are many separate and distinct clans, sub-clans, tribal fractions, large families etc. that trace their ancestry to different Aḥmads.
(Gharzai) branch of Paktia and Logar
and the Durrani (a.k.a. Abdali)
branch. The Ahmadzai of the Ghilzai branch are known for strict adherence to Pashtunwali
.
The Ahmadzais of the Ghilzai branch are largely found in an area formed by a triangle from Kabul
to Jalalabad
to Gardez. These Ahmadzai are mainly sedentary often engaged in trade and many of them having become wealthy. They have also been well represented in various governments of Afghanistan. The Ghilzai Ahmadzai have a long history of intermarrying with members of the Durrani tribe.
in western Pakistan
. Large numbers of Ahmadzais from both Pakistan and Afghanistan can also be found in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi
and in Lahore
, where they are extensively involved in business and commerce.
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
tribe. There are many separate and distinct clans, sub-clans, tribal fractions, large families etc. that trace their ancestry to different Aḥmads.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, there are two distnict clans of Ahmadzai: the GhilzaiGhilzai
Ghilzai are the largest Pashtun tribal confederacy found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are also known historically as Ghilji, Khilji, Ghalji, Ghilzye, and possibly Gharzai...
(Gharzai) branch of Paktia and Logar
Logar
Logar may refer to:* Logar Province, Afghanistan* Logar River in Afghanistan* Logar Valley, Slovenia-People:* Eva Logar , Slovenian ski jumper* Lojze Logar, Slovenian artist* Tine Logar, Slovenian linguist...
and the Durrani (a.k.a. Abdali)
Durrani
Durrani or Abdali is the name of a chief Pashtun tribal confederation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Originally known by their ancient name Abdali later as Durrani they have been called Durrani since the beginning of the Durrani Empire in 1747. The number of Durranis are estimated to be roughly 16%...
branch. The Ahmadzai of the Ghilzai branch are known for strict adherence to Pashtunwali
Pashtunwali
Pashtunwali or Pakhtunwali is a non-written ethical code and traditional lifestyle which the indigenous Pashtun people from Afghanistan and Pakistan follow. Some in the Indian subcontinent refer to it as "Pathanwali". Its meaning may also be interpreted as "the way of the Pashtuns" or "the code of...
.
The Ahmadzais of the Ghilzai branch are largely found in an area formed by a triangle from Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
to Jalalabad
Jalalabad
Jalalabad , formerly called Adinapour, as documented by the 7th century Hsüan-tsang, is a city in eastern Afghanistan. Located at the junction of the Kabul River and Kunar River near the Laghman valley, Jalalabad is the capital of Nangarhar province. It is linked by approximately of highway with...
to Gardez. These Ahmadzai are mainly sedentary often engaged in trade and many of them having become wealthy. They have also been well represented in various governments of Afghanistan. The Ghilzai Ahmadzai have a long history of intermarrying with members of the Durrani tribe.
Pakistan
The Waziri Ahmadzai tribe lives in the Federally Administered Tribal Agency of WaziristanWaziristan
Waziristan is a mountainous region near the Northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² . The area is entirely populated by ethnic Pashtuns . The language spoken in the valley is Pashto/Pakhto...
in western Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Large numbers of Ahmadzais from both Pakistan and Afghanistan can also be found in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
and in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, where they are extensively involved in business and commerce.
Notables
- Mohammad Najibullah AhmadzaiMohammad NajibullahMohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai , originally merely Najibullah, was the fourth and last President of the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He is also considered the second President of the Republic of Afghanistan.-Early years:Najibullah was born in August 1947 to the Ahmadzai...
, the last President of the Republic of AfghanistanRepublic of AfghanistanRepublic of Afghanistan was the official state government of Mohammed Daoud Khan from 1973 to 1978. Daoud Khan became Afghanistan's first President in 1973 after he deposed Mohammad Zahir Shah in a non-violent coup...
. - Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, chairman of the Institute of State Effectiveness.
- Raees AhmadzaiRaees AhmadzaiRaees Khan Ahmadzai is a former Afghan cricketer who represented the Afghanistan national cricket team until his retirement in May 2010. Ahmadzai is a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm off break. He is also UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador. -Early and personal life:Ahmadzai was born in...
, Afghan cricketer - Mirwais AhmadzaiMirwais AhmadzaïMirwais Ahmadzaï, more commonly known as Mirwais, is a Paris based record producer and songwriter. He was born in Switzerland to an Afghan father and an Italian mother. He is a leader in the French style of progressive electronic dance music and progressive electronica...
, Paris-based record producer and songwriter. - Faiz Mohamad Ahmadzai, the first president and founder of Ariana Afghan AirlinesAriana Afghan AirlinesAriana Afghan Airlines Co. Ltd. is the oldest and the national airline of Afghanistan, and is currently the largest Afghan airline, headquartered in Kabul...
. - Major General Gul Nabi Ahmadzai, Director of General training and education department at the Ministry of Home affairs of Afghanistan
- Nazir Ahmad Ahmadzai, an Afghan artist who first drew a painting of former United States PresidentPresident of the United StatesThe President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, and later of current President ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. - Zarwali Khan Ahmadzai