Popular Pashto poet Khushal Khan Khattak was remembered at a function held at the Nishtar Hall on Monday night to mark his 323rd death anniversary.
Noted singers Fayyaz Khesh-gi, Bakhtiar Khattak, Musarrat Mohmand, Musharraf Bangash and Afghan singer Naghma enthralled the audience by singing Khushal Khattak’s poetry. Young artistes performed on the songs by Haroon Bacha, Qamro Jana and other singers.
A short documentary made on the life and struggle of Khushal Khan Khattak was also shown. The documentary, written by noted poet Yar Muhammad Maghmoom and voiced by Bakhtiar Khattak, reflected the heroic struggle of Khushal Khan Khattak. The great Pashto poet tried to awaken and unite the Pakhtun nation through his poetry against their Mughal enemies.
A live music performance followed the documentary, which received applause from the audience at the jam-packed hall. The hall was decorated with banners and posters inscribed with the poetry of Khushal Khattak.
Almost all the singers sang one piece from Khushal’s poetry. Some singers also sang the poetic pieces of famous poet Ghani Khan. Poha Khparawonki Jirga and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cultural Department had jointly arranged the function. Earlier, a mushaira and Quran Khwani were also held in Akora Khattak in connection with his death anniversary.
Born in Akora Khattak in Nowshera district, Khushal Khan’s ancestors had migrated from Teri in Karak. His great grandfather was the chief of the Khattak tribe. After the death of his father Malik Shahbaz Khan Khattak, he became the tribe’s head at the age of 27.
Khushal Khan’s life can be divided into two important parts. Most of his life he was engaged in the service of the Mughal King but during his old age he was preoccupied with the idea of the unification of the Pakhtuns. He was an intelligent and bold person since childhood. He fought the first war at the age of 13 along with his father. He was also a scholar, thinker, philosopher and boisterous poet. His forefathers were officers in the service of the Mughal Empire.
After the death of his father, the Mughal emperor Shahjehan appointed him as the tribal chief at the age of 27 in 1641. When Shahjehan died, Aurangzeb arrested Khattak and put him behind bars in the Gwalior Fort.
After release, he rebelled against the Mughals and later launched resistance against them. He also contacted other Pakhtun tribes like Mohmand, Afridi and Yousafzai and with the support of his people started offering resistance to the Mughals. During his imprisonment, the Yousafzai tribe with which he had fought wars gave shelter to his family.
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