Abdur Rahman Khan, the "Iron Amir" of Afghanistan, was indeed a Pashtun. He was born into the Mughal-Afghan Barakzai dynasty, a prominent Pashtun lineage that held significant power in Afghanistan during the 19th century.
Here's a breakdown of why this is the case:
- His Lineage: Abdur Rahman Khan was the grandson of Dost Mohammad Khan, the founder of the Barakzai dynasty, who had established himself as the ruler of Afghanistan. The Barakzai clan, a prominent Pashtun group, had its roots in the Ghazni region of Afghanistan.
- His Ethnicity: Throughout his life and in historical records, Abdur Rahman Khan was consistently identified as a Pashtun. He spoke Pashto, the primary language of the Pashtun people, and his identity was deeply intertwined with Pashtun culture and tradition.
- His Rule: His reign as Amir of Afghanistan (1880-1901) saw him consolidating his power and solidifying the Pashtun-majority state's borders. His policies were often influenced by his Pashtun identity and aimed at strengthening the Pashtun presence in Afghanistan.
While there might be some debate on the exact sub-tribe he belonged to within the Pashtun community, there's no doubt that Abdur Rahman Khan was a Pashtun. His ancestry, language, and cultural affiliations all point to his Pashtun identity.
