Shia Qizilbashs of Kabul corroborated with British invaders during 1st Anglo-Afghan war

Qizilblashs (قزلباش), Shia Turkmen from Iran, were planted in Kabul and Peshawar by Ahmad Shah Durrani. They had their own quarter in Kabul city, known as Chindawal which was heavily fortified. In general, the Sunni Pashtuns and Shia Qizilbashs hated each other because of sectarian differences. Qizilbashs and other Shias of Afghanistan supported British invaders against Pashtuns during the First Anglo-Afghan war.

1-Muhammad Naib Sharif, a chief of the Qizilbashs of Kabul, fully supported the British invaders during the First Anglo-Afghan (1839-42). James Rattray (maker of the following painting) writes: 

"Among their chiefs is Mahommed Naib Shurreef, who has always stood the firm friend of the British from 1831, when Sir Alexander Burnes, whom he then conducted from Peshawur to Caubul, made his journey to Bokhara, up to the date of our final evacuation of Afghaunistaun in 1842. He compromised himself so much with us, during our palmy days at Caubul, again during the massacre, and also when we regained the country in the last campaign, that he was constantly threatened with death. Indeed, one devoted act of his alone would have ensured his destruction. He rescued the dishonoured corpse of his poor friend, Sir Alexander Burnes, from the hands of the infuriated fanatics, and carrying it away in the dead of night, bestowed on it a decent burial. Leaving his adopted country with our armies, he is now in the enjoyment of a handsome stipend for his services, as a pensioner of the Indian Government. "

 

Muhammad Naib Sharif Qizilbash (sitting on left), 1840 (c). Painting by James Rattrey

Muhammad Naib Sharif Qizilbash died in Peshawar on February 20, 1848. Delhi Gazette of British reported his death in following manner: 

“At Peshawur, on the 21st December, very deeply regretted, Naib Mahommed Shurreef, the the Kuzzilbaushe, one of the few staunch supporters from first to last of British interests in Afghaunistaun, and first known as the friend and companion of the late Sir A. Burnes on his visit to Caubul in 1831. During our occupation of that city, he was extensively employed by the Commissariat, and his house and table were ever open to all officers; from the Envoy to the youngest Ensign, at different times, all partook of his hospitality, which was as open as day: in those times he lived freely indulging in the forbidden juice of the grape, but, for some years before his death, had forsworn it, and, as he said ‘taba kurred.’ On the breaking out of the insurrection, he was one of the first who rallied round the late Captain Trevor ; and the writer of this brief tribute to his memory has reason to believe that, had his advice been taken, far otherwise would have been the result of that at first petty outbreak. He never ceased, during the two months the troops held the cantonments, to assist the force in every possible way, advancing large sums of money from his private purse, and at much personal risk kept up communication with the captives, sending them clothes and money. From him emanated the scheme of their release, for which another took all the credit and reaped the benefit. The writer is convinced that there is not one of the survivors among the captives but will read this notice with deep regret.” [Naib Mahommed Shurreef, for his eminent services, enjoyed a pension of 400 Rs. a month from Government, which it is hoped may be continued to his family.―. ED. Delhi Gazette.]

2- Kanhaiya Lal in his "Tarikh-i-Lahore" (completed in 1882) gives description of six wealthiest families among Muslims of Lahore city. On the top of the list, is a Shia Qizilbash by name of Nawab Ali Raza Khan "Kabuli" who corroborated with British invaders during First Anglo-Afghan war (1839-43). 

Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash fully supported General Polluck's army (which was sent to avenge the earlier defeat of British in Afghanistan). He persuaded Qizilbash chiefs to betray Muhammad Akbar Khan and join British side. He accompanied the returning British army with his sixty sawars and settled in India. 

 

Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash, his brothers and his sixty sawars fought for British in the Anglo-Sikh wars. In the 1857 war of independence, he sent his contingent to help British on his own expenses. For his services in 1857's war in support of British, he received the title of Nawab and a large estate in Awadh (comprising of 147 villages). He died in 1865 and his body was sent to Karbala (in Iraq) for burial. 1

 

Amir Dost Muhammad Khan, whose mother was a Shia Qizilbash, was on good terms with Qizilbashs of Kabul before the First Anglo-Afghan war. However, due to their role in the war, the Amir developed a deep mistrust of them. In 1847, he threatened them with expulsion from Kabul and an attack on their stronghold. At the same time, he ordered (in consequence of his distrust) certain sums to be deducted from their pay. Consequently, a pitched battle was fought between them and the Amir's men, in which some eighty men were killed and wounded. Two of the Amir’s sons took part against the Qizilbashs, and beheaded several with their own hands.

 

 

Related posts:

• The role of Hazaras during the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42)
• Collaboration of Hazaras with British invaders during the Second Anglo-Afghan War