Mir Ways ibn Shah 'Alam, known as Mirwais Khan Hotak was an Afghan ruler from the Ghilji tribe of Pashtuns of Kandahar, Afghanistan, and the founder of the Hotak dynasty.
34 Facts About Mirwais Hotak
2.
In 1709, after overthrowing and assassinating George XI of Kartil, the Safavid Persian governor, Hotak declared independence of the Loy Kandahar region, now southern Afghanistan.
3.
Mirwais Hotak was ordered to quell a suspected rebellion and to govern in Kandahar.
4.
Mirwais Hotak signed a petition to Husayn, and boosted the morale of his countrymen for a future revolt if necessary.
5.
Mirwais Hotak was determined to strip Hotak of his influence and power, and ordered his arrest for conspiring against the government.
6.
Mirwais Hotak was arrested along with many other compatriots and sent to Isfahan.
7.
Mirwais Hotak arrived at Isfahan, and appealed to the officials in the Persian court, and portrayed George as an enemy to them.
8.
Mirwais Hotak demanded that Husayn investigate the charges against him, who acknowledged he was innocent and allowed him to retain his influential position at the court.
9.
Mirwais Hotak explained to the court that George would be a ferocious enemy if he rebelled, with the governorship of Kandahar, Georgia, and Kerman falling to his rule in such a scenario.
10.
Mirwais Hotak talked about George's power, and Husayn saw the possibility of Ghurghis's ambitions growing too big.
11.
Mirwais Hotak wanted to obtain support and approval from religious leaders, so he asked two questions:.
12.
The replies were in the affirmative, so Mirwais Hotak returned to Isfahan.
13.
Mirwais Hotak planned to depart to Kandahar, but decided to remain in the court of Isfahan to avoid arousing suspicion.
14.
Around the same time that Mirwais Hotak returned from Mecca, he learned of an Armenian named Israel Orri, sent to Isfahan as an ambassador under diplomatic authority of Peter the Great.
15.
Mirwais Hotak's goal was more influence over Persian import and export duties, and the story was expanded upon and greatly exaggerated.
16.
Mirwais Hotak returned to Kandahar, enraging George, who had to appoint him back to his positions.
17.
Mirwais Hotak, insulted, communicated with the heads of other tribes in his tent and consulted on plans for rebellion.
18.
Mirwais Hotak asked the tribes to follow him, and they waited for him to give the signal.
19.
Mirwais Hotak disguised a young-looking girl and dressed her to take the place of his daughter and sent her to George.
20.
Mirwais Hotak was ready to rebel, but he had one obstacle in his way: When Gurgin Khan allowed the Persians to return to Persia, he kept the Georgians of the army as his bodyguards.
21.
Mirwais Hotak ordered George and his men stripped, and he and his allies wore their armor and set out for Kandahar, their appearance preventing suspicion.
22.
Mirwais Hotak then assembled leading men of the different tribes and presented the situation to them: the Persians would likely send a punitive expedition.
23.
Mirwais Hotak was given complete executive power, armed his forces, and spread word of his successes to other tribes to encourage them to join the revolt.
24.
Mirwais Hotak allowed them to approach within range of musket shot fire, then directed the guns to open up on the Georgian army.
25.
Mirwais Hotak opened up another gate with over 5,000 cavalrymen to cut off the Georgian retreat; 600 Georgians managed to breach through the cavalry.
26.
Mirwais Hotak pursued the Georgian army for days; though repelled, he inflicted heavy casualties on them.
27.
Mirwais Hotak imprisoned him to stall for time and delay Persia's preparations by refusing to answer the court.
28.
Mirwais Hotak was informed that he should "never make base proposals to men who are free".
29.
Mirwais Hotak, hearing that the army was mostly made up of Persians, advanced with over 5,000 cavalrymen and defeated the Persian army.
30.
Khusru scouted ahead after advancing to Farah, and Mirwais Hotak took positions near Ghirisk on the banks of the Helmand River, leaving the passes unguarded.
31.
Mirwais Hotak demanded that Kandahar surrender to him, but the Afghans resisted.
32.
Mirwais Hotak cut off enemy supply lines, laid waste to the land around Kandahar, and threatened enemy communications.
33.
Mirwais Hotak is buried in his mausoleum in the Kokaran section of Kandahar.
34.
Mirwais Hotak is regarded as one of Afghanistan's greatest national heroes and admired by many Afghans, especially the Pashtuns.