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HistoryMaps Last Updated: 02/01/2025

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History of Afghanistan

Hotak Dynasty in Afghanistan

© HistoryMaps

History of Afghanistan

Hotak Dynasty in Afghanistan

1709 Jan 1 - 1738
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Hotak Dynasty in Afghanistan
Hotak Dynasty in Afghanistan © HistoryMaps

In 1704, George XI (Gurgīn Khān), a Georgian under Safavid Shah Husayn, was tasked with quelling Afghan rebellions in the Greater Kandahar region. His harsh rule led to the imprisonment and execution of numerous Afghans, including Mirwais Hotak, a prominent local leader. Although sent to Isfahan as a prisoner, Mirwais was eventually released and returned to Kandahar. By April 1709, Mirwais, with militia support, initiated a revolt that led to George XI's assassination. This marked the beginning of a successful resistance against several large Persian armies, culminating in Afghan control of Qandahar by 1713. Under Mirwais' leadership, southern Afghanistan became an independent Pashtun kingdom, though he declined the title of king, being recognized instead as "Prince of Qandahar." After Mirwais' death in 1715, his son Mahmud Hotaki assassinated his uncle Abdul Aziz Hotak and led an Afghan army into Persia, capturing Isfahan and declaring himself Shah in 1722. However, Mahmud's reign was brief and marred by opposition and internal strife, leading to his murder in 1725.


Shah Ashraf Hotaki, Mahmud's cousin, succeeded him but faced challenges from both the Ottomans and the Russian Empire, as well as internal dissent. The Hotaki dynasty, troubled by succession feuds and resistance, was eventually ousted by Nader Shah of the Afsharids in 1729, after which the Hotaki's influence was confined to southern Afghanistan until 1738, ending with the defeat of Shah Hussain Hotaki. This turbulent period in Afghan and Persian history underscores the complexities of regional politics and the impact of foreign rule on indigenous populations, leading to significant shifts in power dynamics and territorial control in the region.

Page Last Updated: 10/18/2024

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