Mirwais Khan Hotak

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Mirwais Khan Hotak (1673-1715) was a Pashtun national hero from Kandahar (now Afghanistan) who founded the Hotaki dynasty that ruled Persia (Iran) from 1722 to 1736.

Mirwais Khan was the leader of the Ghilzai clan of the ethnic Pashtuns and mayor of the city of Kandahar. In 1709, he killed Gurgin Khan, the Georgian governor of Kandahar Province that ruled in the name of the Persian Shah. Mirwais Khan then defeated the Safavids of Persia, who were attempting to convert the population of Kandahar from Sunni to Shia sect of Islam and assert control over the area. Mirwais Khan successfully held Kandahar until his death in 1715 and was succeeded by his son Mir Mahmud.<ref>Afghanland - Mirwais Khan Hotak...Link</ref>

In 1722, Mahmud led an Afghan invasion in to Persia, capturing the capital Isfahan and declaring himself as the new Shah of Persia (King of Persia).

[edit] See also

• Afghanistan
• History of Afghanistan
• List of Pashtuns
• Pashtun people

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Encyclopaeda Britannica - The Hotakis (from Afghanistan)
• Afghanland
• Afghanistan Online
• Afghana
• Afghan Site