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Who was Ahmad Shah Durrani?

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    In the history of Afghanistan, there have been many mighty rulers and sovereigns, however, one stood out from all of them. He was a  pious, patriotic, and merciful man who had all the profound traits of an exceptional leader, and ruled his lands with justice. He not only became the hero of all Afghans but also saved Islam in the subcontinent. In this video, we will go through the chapters of the life of Ahmad Shah Durrani, the Afghan ruler who united the Afghan tribes and became the founder of modern Afghanistan, as well as the father of his nation.   Ahmad Shah Durrani      Ahmad Khan Abdali was born in Herat, in 1723. He was the son of Zaman Khan, and the grandson of Dawlat Khan. He was from the Pashtun Sadouzai Tribe, a sub tribe of the Abdali Tribe. The story starts in  1732 CE, in Farah, Afghanistan, when Ahmad Khan's older brother, Zulfiqar Khan was defeated by his enemies. Zulfiqar Khan took his younger brother Ahmad Khan with him and fled to Kandahar, where they sought

Who was Abdurrahman Ghazi?

    Abdurrahman Ghazi was among Ertugrul Ghazi's most trusted, loyal alps. He was a renowned warrior who's prolonged life was spent in campaigning against enemies, and conquering vast regions. However, he had lived such a fascinating long life, that he was able to serve the Kayi Tribe for four different generations; Sulayman Shah, Ertugrul Ghazi, Osman Ghazi and Orhan Ghazi. However, what did he do during his incredibly long life to bring him to his greatness?

Abdurrahman Ghazi
Abdurrahman Ghazi

    Abdurrahman Ghazi was an elite military commander who did great services during the establishment phase of the Ottoman Empire. Abdurrahman Ghazi was from the Kayi Tribe, the same tribe that had led to the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. He had started out his role as an alp during the reign of Sulayman Shah, and had become one of Ertugrul Ghazi's most trusted companions. Abdurrahman Ghazi was also one of just 400 families to accompany Ertugrul Ghazi to the Byzantine border, while much of the tribe decided not to. Alongside Ertugrul Ghazi, he had fought courageously many times in several battles, and had experienced many victories along with his fellow alps. However, it was during Osman Ghazi's reign that his role would become vital. The reason being, Abdurrahman Ghazi had now become a military commander, and would have to lead his men throughout many hardships and trials. However, Abdurrahman Ghazi met these hardships and trials with much joy, and would return from battles with utmost triumph. Then, after the passing away of Osman Ghazi, Abdurrahman would now serve Osman's son, Orhan Ghazi. And so it was during this time, that Orhan Ghazi would order Abdurrahman Ghazi to conquer Aydos Castle, a castle with much military importance. Around this time, the Ottoman State had conquered various regions of the already declining Byzantine State. And so the Byzantines had built a defensive network against the Turks with numerous castles throughout all of Anatolia, including the Aydos Castle. However, the Ottomans had been taking these castles down one by one. And so the conquest of Aydos Castle would be a great triumph for the Ottoman State, as it would not only weaken the Byzantine's defensive network, but also help pave the way for the conquest of Constantinople. And so Abdurrahman Ghazi would prepare his alps for the coming battles, and the long siege. On the way to battle, many indigenous Anatolians embraced Islam and joined them, while many others welcomed them and supported them. As the Ottoman troops under Abdurrahman Ghazi's command had set out to conquer the castle, they were soon met by Byzantine forces. However, Abdurrahman Ghazi and his men had confronted them, and repelled with much valor. And so the Byzantine forces had quickly retreated to their castle, and remained on the defensive for the rest of the siege. In the end, Abdurrahman Ghazi and his men would accomplish a great victory, and would attain much glory, after their stunning conquest of the Aydos Castle. However, there was of course, a fascinating, key story behind their success.

    One night, during the Ottoman siege of the Aydos Castle, a woman had a very special dream. And this woman happened to be the very daughter of the ruler of the Aydos Castle. And in her dream she had fallen into a pit, but was saved by a handsome man whom she fell in love with. And so during the siege of the castle, she happened to have seen the commander of the Ottoman troops, Abdurrahman Ghazi, and quickly recognized him as the man of her dream. She then wrote a letter, folded it over a stone, and threw it towards the Ottoman soldiers. In the letter that she had written, she explained to them the plan she had made to give them the castle. At first, they would pretend to withdraw from the castle and retreat. Then, at night they would secretly come back, and she would open the entrance of the castle for Abdurrahman Ghazi and his warriors. Surprisingly, the plan had succeeded, and Abdurrahman Ghazi and his warriors had collapsed on the helpless Byzantines, as they had become the conquerors of the Aydos Castle.

Abdurrahman Ghazi leading his men
Abdurrahman Ghazi conquers Aydos Castle
   
    In the end, Abdurrahman Ghazi lived joyfully, as he was then known as the glorious conqueror of the Aydos Castle. After the conquest, Abdurrahman Ghazi then settled in the castle and continued to raid and conquer Byzantine possessions in Uskudar. He also married the daughter of the landlord, whom had helped him significantly during his conquest. And so they had a child and lived joyfully to the end of their days. Abdurrahman Ghazi passed away in 1329 CE, during the reign of Orhan Ghazi. He was buried in a village in Erzurum. And today, his achievements throughout his extraordinarily long life are still stunningly admired. 


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