26 Facts About Tahir Shah

Tahir Shah is a British author, journalist and documentary maker of Afghan-Indian descent.

Tahir Shah was born into the saadat of Paghman, an ancient and respected family hailing from Afghanistan.

Tahir Shah was born in London and brought up largely in the county of Kent, where his family lived at Langton House, a Georgian mansion in the village of Langton Green near Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Tahir Shah has described how, as a child, he played in the woods which are said to have first interested Baden-Powell in the outdoors.

Tahir Shah maintains that much of his education derived from spending time with such a varied group of people.

Tahir Shah has described how his Latin tutor appeared at the front door "white as a sheet", at having spotted the renowned classicist Robert Graves digging a ditch at the front of Langton House; and how Doris Lessing encouraged him to read folktales and, later, encouraged his enthusiasm for travel.

Tahir Shah has written about his inability to keep up, as a result of "profound dyslexia".

Aged 17, Tahir Shah learnt to fly in Florida, and graduated with an FAA Private Pilot's Licence.

Tahir Shah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations in 1987.

Tahir Shah has detailed how his parents planned to steer him towards the diplomatic service, assuming he would not have the ability to be a writer.

Tahir Shah has described how his father strove to teach his children through stories.

Tahir Shah is a prolific author of books, documentaries, book introductions, peer reviewed academic articles, and book reviews.

Tahir Shah's first published book was Cultural Research, written for the London-based Institute for Cultural Research.

Tahir Shah has written book reviews for The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Spectator, and The Literary Review.

Tahir Shah continues to write journalistic pieces, especially aimed at drawing attention to causes he believes deserve public attention.

Tahir Shah later took his self publishing efforts a step further in 2012 with the release of Timbuctoo and again in 2013 with Scorpion Soup, two limited edition hardcovers that were designed by his wife Rachana.

Tahir Shah himself has written about his fascination with the works of Bruce Chatwin, especially his book The Songlines, as well as with a range of the classic nineteenth century explorers, such as Samuel White Baker, Heinrich Barth and Sir Richard Burton.

Tahir Shah had a close friendship with Wilfred Thesiger, whom he considered a mentor and a source of inspiration.

Tahir Shah's style is one of simple prose and overwhelming humour.

Tahir Shah writes on a rigid schedule, keeping to a daily target.

Tahir Shah gave an interview which was screened on British TV's Channel 4 News, and published an article in the British Sunday Times about the ordeal.

Tahir Shah has publicly maintained his affection for Pakistan, despite the rough treatment he and his film crew received at the hands of the Pakistani secret services.

Tahir Shah is a champion of what he calls "the East-West Bridge".

Tahir Shah has spoken and written on the idea that people such as he have a responsibility to "show the East to the West, and the West to the East," highlighting the common cultural heritage of the two, and working towards a common goal.

Tahir Shah has lectured publicly on the subject and believes strongly in the importance of drawing attention to the polymath poet-scientists from the Golden Age of Islam.

Tahir Shah has written widely about Casablanca, which he has resided in, and Morocco, and is regarded as an expert on both, as well as on India, and a number of other destinations.