Khushal Khan Khattak

(1613-1689)

Pashtun poet and tribal chief

more_vert

4 views

favorite

About

edit

Jump to

Family
Relationships
Associates
Similar

Khošāl Khān Khaṭak (1613 – 25 February 1689; Pashto: خوشال خان خټک), also known as Khushal Baba (Pashto: خوشال بابا), was a Pashtun poet, chief, and warrior. Khushal Khan served the Mughal Empire protecting them from Pashtun warriors over most of his lifespan. After being expelled from his tribal chiefdom and replaced with his son by his Mughal superiors, Khushal Khan turned against the Mughals. Afterwards, Khushal preached the union of all Pashtuns, and encouraged revolt against the Mughal Empire, promoting Pashtun nationalism in the last years of his life through poetry. Khushal wrote many works in Pashto but also a few in Persian. Khushal is considered the "father of Pashto literature" and the national poet of Afghanistan.

Key details

edit section

Born	1613 Akora Khattak, Kabul region, Mughal Empire (in present-day Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Died	19 February 1689 (aged 75) Dambara, Tirah, Kabul Province, Mughal Empire (in present-day Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Zodiac
Tags	Add tag