Mir Masjidi Khan facts for kids

Mir Masjidi Khan (died 1841) was a brave Afghan resistance leader. He came from the Shamali Plain. He fought against the British who wanted to make Shuja Shah Durrani the ruler of Afghanistan. This happened during the First Anglo-Afghan War. Mir Masjidi Khan led a strong fight against the British forces. He fought in and around Kabul and Northern Afghanistan until he died.

Early Life and Family

Mir Masjidi Khan was born into a respected Sayyid family. His father, Sahibzada Ishaq Jan Khan, was a well-off landowner. People in the area highly respected his family. They were known for their Islamic learning, strong faith, and honesty.

Mir Masjidi spent his childhood in the countryside. He learned skills like horse riding and fighting. He also studied the Quran and Islamic law (Sharia). He also learned about Persian literature.

Because his family was important, Mir Masjidi became well-known early on. He was wise and had a natural sense of dignity. Soon, he became one of the most respected Afghan chiefs and leaders of his time.

Fighting for Freedom

At first, Mir Masjidi felt mixed emotions about Shuja Shah returning to power. He was happy to have a ruler from the traditional Sadozai family. But he was also unsure about why the British forces were putting him on the throne.

Soon, it became clear that Shuja Shah was just a puppet ruler. The British officers, especially Sir William Hay Macnaghten, were truly in charge. Also, the British soldiers in Kabul upset the local people. They acted badly and disrespected women. Because of this, the people became very angry.

Religious leaders, including Mir Masjidi, encouraged the people to revolt. They declared their support for the previous ruler, Dost Mohammad Khan, who was in exile.

Leading the Resistance

Mir Masjidi was a skilled fighter. He also had a strong spiritual and social standing. This made him one of the main leaders of the revolt. He made the Nijrab valley and other parts of Kohistan (now Kapisa Province) strong against the British. He refused to support Shuja Shah. He also organized resistance in and around Kabul.

One of the first victories for this resistance was under Mir Masjidi's command. They defeated a British group sent to Charikar. The British commander, Major Eldred Pottinger, was badly hurt. For a short time, Mir Masjidi also gave shelter to Dost Mohammad Khan. Dost Mohammad had escaped from the British and was hiding in the Hindu Kush mountains.

Betrayal and Death

In 1840, Mir Masjidi was close to surrendering to the British. He had even discussed the details with Sir Alexander Burnes. However, the British did not keep their promise.

Mir Masjidi then became a big problem for the British in Kabul. He kept attacking them. Macnaghten started looking for ways to get rid of him. He offered a large reward for Mir Masjidi, dead or alive.

At first, this did not work well. But the British worked with some local chiefs whom they had bribed. They managed to take away most of Mir Masjidi's land and property. He was forced to live in the hills, often without much money.

Around early 1841, it is said that Macnaghten decided to have Mir Masjidi killed. This was supposedly done through a secret agent named Mohan Lal Zutshi. Soon after, Mir Masjidi became very ill suddenly. He died within a day or two, likely due to poisoning.

Today, Mir Masjidi Khan is still remembered in Afghanistan and North-West Pakistan. He is seen as a Ghazi (warrior) (a brave fighter) and a Shaheed (a martyr). He gave his life for the good of his people. In Afghanistan today, one of the highest civil awards is the 'Mir Masjidi Khan Award'. This award honors his important place in history.

See also

• The Great Game
• Anglo-Afghan Wars