Maimana Khanate

The Maimana Khanate (Persian: خانات میمنه, Uzbek: میمنه خانلیغی) was an Uzbek[1] Khanate in Northern Afghanistan centered around the town of Maimana. It was founded in 1747 with the death of Nader Shah. The Mings had been the governors of Maimana since 1621.[2] Hajji Bi Ming was the first independent ruler of the khanate. After the death of Ahmad Khan in 1814, Sar-i Pul seceded from the khanate.[2][3] In the 1830s Sar-i Pul took the district of Gurziwan from Maimana.[2] The Aimaq tribes of the Murghab broke away from Maimana by 1845.[4] In 1847 and 1850 it resisted attempts by the Emirate of Herat to annex it.[3][2] In 1875 the khanate rebelled against Afghanistan but it was crushed and the city sacked.[5] In 1892 the khanate was annexed by Afghanistan.[4]

Maimana Khanate
خانات میمنه (Persian)
CapitalMaymana
Common languagesPersian
Uzbek (lingua franca, language of commerce)
Ethnic groups
Uzbeks
Arabs
Hazaras
Baluch people
History 
• Established
1747
• Disestablished
1892
Today part ofAfghanistan

History

Invasion by Yar Mohammad Khan

In 1844, the rulers of the Chahar Wilayat broke out into open war again. Mizrab Khan of Maimana and Rustam Khan of Sheberghan mounted a joint attack on the new ruler of Andkhui, Ghazanfar Khan.[2] Ghazanfar was overthrown and his uncle, Sufi Khan, was installed as the new ruler. Ghazanfar fled to Bukhara and agreed to pay tribute if Nasrullah Khan would restore him to the throne of Andkhui. Nasrullah agreed and sent Ghazanfar to the Mir Wali of Khulm (who was an ally of Bukhara).[2][5] Mir Wali was eager to settle old scores. Aided by the Ishans of Balkh and Mazar-i Sharif, Mir Wali marched into the Chahar Wilayat. Sar-i Pul defected and attacked Shebarghan. Rustam Khan requested help from Mizrab Khan, however, in early 1845, Mizrab Khan died after he was poisoned by one of his wives. As a result, his two sons (Hukumat Khan and Sher Mohammad Khan) not only made a truce with each other but also supported Bukhara's invasion.[2][5][3] Therefore, Shebarghan was annexed by Sar-I Pul and Ghazanfar Khan was re-instated as the ruler of Andkhui. However, Ghazanfar refused to pay tribute to Bukhara and as a result Nasrullah supported Rustam Khan in recapturing Sherbarghan and deposing Ghazanfar Khan (once more re-instating Sufi Khan as head of the Andkhui Afshars).[2]

At the same time, the truce between Hukumat Khan and Sher Mohammad Khan broke down and the two fought for control of Maimana. Yar Mohammad Khan intervened and temporarily settled the dispute. Sher Mohammad was given control of Maimana while Hukumat Khan would control agriculture and mercantile trade,[2][3] effectively becoming Sher Mohammad's diwanbegi.[2] In addition to this, Yar Mohammad also attempted to create two Tajik battalions in the hopes that they would be more loyal to Herat.[2][6]

In the Summer of 1847, Hukumat Khan requested assistance against Sher Mohammad Khan, becoming the pretext for war Yar Mohammad needed.[5] Yar Mohammad marched against Maimana with 20,000 troops (half of those being composed of Aimaq and Turkmen tribesmen eager for loot).[2] When the army reached Chichaktu (on the frontier between Herat and Maimana), it quickly fell and the town was sacked.[2][3] When Hukumat Khan heard of this, he quickly rushed to tender his submission and provided the army with supplies, preventing the Heratis from doing the same to other regions of Maimana.[2] Yar Mohammad also punished the looters by amputating their noses and ears even though it was quite obvious he had sanctioned the sacking.[2]

They soon marched on Sher Mohammad Khan's stronghold of Khairabad and the fortress was torn apart. Sher Mohammad initially fled and eventually reconciled with his brother.[2] Ghazanfar Khan of Andkhui also requested Yar Mohammad Khan's aid in overthrowing Sufi Khan. Sufi Khan was put to death and Andkhui was subjected to a brutal sacking.[5][2][3] Yar Mohammad intended to continue his advance to Aqcha and Balkh even though it was in the winter. He swiftly occupied Aqcha but failed to take Sheberghan and was forced to retreat to Maimana. The population refused to open their gates, so Hukumat Khan guided the army through a route going around the capital. The march back to Bala Morghab was devastating and many Herati soldiers died due to the cold or hunger.[2][5][3] Yar Mohammad Khan returned to Herat in late February or Early March 1848, and attempted to recover from the defeat.

In November 1849, Yar Mohammad demanded Hukumat Khan to pay tribute to Herat. When this offer was refused, Maimana was besieged with a force of 6,000 men and the city was surrounded for 11 months.[2][3] However, Maimana continued to hold out and it was detrimental to Herat's future as an independent state.[2] In 1849 and 1850, the Barakzais had already incorporated significant parts of Afghan Turkestan into their kingdom, and if all of the region was to fall then Herat could be simultaneously attacked from Maimana and Qandahar. The siege of Maimana also helped the Barakzais because it made sure that Maimana's powerful army wouldn't come to the aid of the petty states of the region.[2] Eventually, in September 1850, the siege of Maimana was lifted and Yar Mohammad Khan returned in defeat to Herat.[2][5][3]

Territory Administration

By 1888, Maimana's territory had been greatly reduced. The area of Daulatabad, serving as an important defense along the borders of Andkhui, had been seized by the Afghan administration and given to Aqcha. Darzab and Gurziwan had also been lost, becoming administered from Sar-i Pul.[7]

In 1888, Maimana was divided into 8 districts:[8]

  1. Maimana میمنه
  2. Namusa va Langar ناموسا و لنگر
  3. Almar المار
  4. Karai کری
  5. Qaisar قیصار
  6. Chichaktu چیچکتو
  7. Shirin Tagao شیرین تگاو
  8. Khairabad خیرآباد

The breakdown of each individual district can be found below.

Maimana district

Villages of the Maimana District[9]
Village

ده

Ethnic compositionPopulation (families)
Maimana

میمنه

Mostly Uzbeks4,000 houses
Tailan valleyMostly Uzbek770 families (total)
Tailan

تیلان

Shah Kamani Uzbeks60
Haoz-i Amir Bai

حوض امیر بای

Shah Kamani Uzbeks120
Sang-i Zard

سنگ زرد

Shah Kamani Uzbeks15
Aq Darra

آق دره

Shah Kamani Uzbeks40
Deh-i Pir Khisht

ده پیر خشت

Khwajas and Firozkohis60
Aq Chashmah[a]

آق چشمه

Shah Kamani Uzbeks20
Bai Mukhli (Mughuli)

بای مخلی (مغلی)

Sungh Ali Uzbeks80
Chahartut

چهارتوت

Sungh Ali Uzbeks20
Dahan-i Darra (Qal'ah-yi Niyaz Beg)

دهان دره (قلعه نیاز بیگ)

Uzbeks and Arabs30
Kusht-i Girma

کشت گرمه

Allakah Uzbeks40
Shah Folad

شاه فولاد

Shah Kamani Uzbeks40
Unchelad

اونچلاد

Baluch70
Gurziwani[b]

گرزیوانی

Gurziwani Uzbeks60
Jam Shiri

جمشیری

Jamshiri Uzbeks30
Kotal Gumai[c]

کوتل گمی

Kotari Uzbeks55
Toghachi[d]

توغچی

Toghachi Uzbeks30
Namusa Tagao

ناموسا تگاو

Mixed315 families (total)
Bibi A'ineh

بی بی آئینه

Sartarash Arabs30
Torpakhtu

تورپاختو

Surkhabi (Hazaras?)30
Muzi[e]

موزی

Muzi Uzbeks60
Kaush Khel[f]

کاوش‌خیل

Kaush Uzbeks40
Sar Bulaq

سر بولاق

Bazari Uzbeks70
Takatuzi

تکتزی

Baimaqli30
Bad Qaq

باد قاق

Salor Turkmen (Begi Sarkar section)55
Darra Sel and Agha LaraMixed280 families (total)
Aqsai

آق‌ سی

Uzbeks and Arabs50
Omakhai[g]

اومخی

Sadullai Firozkohis30
Mir Shikar

میر شکر

Uzbeks and Firozkohis200

Namusa va Langar district

Villages of the Namusa va Langar district[10]
VillageEthnic CompositionPopulation
NamusaSolely Baluch144 families (total)
Bai Ghesi

بای غسی

Baluch10
Gadai Qal'ah

گدای قلعه

Baluch40
Imarat

عمارت

Baluch14
Katta Qal'ah

کته قلعه

Baluch12
Qunjagh 'Ali

قنجغ علی

Baluch11
Shah Nazar

شاه نظر

Baluch7
Uima Qal'ah

اویمه قلعه

Baluch38
Gulnabad

گلون‌آباد

Baluch12
LangarMostly Baluch99 families (total)
Chim Qal'ah

چیم قلعه

Baluch20
Aq Mazar[h]

آق مزار

Baighazi Uzbeks12
Qasabah Qal'ah

قصبه قلعه

Baluch25
Khwaja Qul

خواجه قل

Baluch12?
Mingdarakht

منگ درخت

Baluch30

Almar district

Villages of the Almar District[11]
VillagesEthnic compositionPopulation (families)
Qarah Quli

قره قلی

Allach Uzbeks45
Ituraq

ایتوراق

Allach Uzbeks50
Qilichli

قلیچلی

Qilichi Allach Uzbeks40
Jilgildah

جلگلده

Jilgildi Allach Uzbeks50
Qarah Quli (2nd)Qarah Quli Allach Uzbeks80
Surf 'Ali

صرف‌علی

Surf 'Ali Allach Uzbeks30
Qarah Tanak

قره تنک

Qarah Tanak Allach Uzbeks55
Akhund Baba

آخوند بابا

Khwajas35
Noghai-yi Bala

نوغی بالا

Noghai Allach Uzbeks30
Khudai MadKhudai Mad Allach Uzbeks70
Chaghatai

چغتای

Chaghatai Allach Uzbeks70
Noghai-yi Pa'in

نوغی پائین

Noghai Allach Uzbeks40
Baighazi[i]

بای‌غازی

Baighazi Allach Uzbeks50
Bukhara Qal'ah

بخارا قلعه

Bukharan Uzbeks60
Qal'ah-yi Niyaz Atal

قلعه نیاز اتال

Khudai Mad Allach Uzbeks20
Diwanah Khanah

دیوانه خانه

Mixed Allach Uzbeks40

Karai

This district was inhabited by the Karais, a tribe of Qara Qipchaq origin.[12] They were the large flock-owners of Maimana, and were able to protect their flocks from Turkmen raids by retreating to the hills. By 1888, they had largely assimilated into the Uzbek population.[12]

Villages of the Karai district[12]
VillageEthnic compositionPopulation (families)
GaojanMostly Karais270 families
Qishlaq-i 'Aqil

قشلاق عقیل

Khalifa Karais100
Another Mohalla near Farhad BegKarais50
Dewanah Khanah

دیوانه خانه

Karais40
Qishlaq-i Ata Murad

قشلاق آتا مراد

Khwajas20
Qishlaq-i Farhad Beg

قشلاق فرهاد بیگ

Karais60
ParakhamanAll Karais325 families
1st Mohalla

محله یکم

Karais65
2nd Mohalla

محله دوم

Karais85
3rd Mohalla

محله سوم

Karais70
4th Mohalla

محله چهارم

Karais50
5th Mohalla

محله پنجم

Karais55

Qaisar district

VillageEthnic compositionPopulation (families)
Tagao-i KaraiMostly Karai130 families
Qaisar properMixed370 families
Tangi-yi Pa'in

تنگی پائین

Ungajit Uzbeks40
Qishlaq-i Mirha

قشلاق میرها

Mirs30
Bori70
Arzulak[j]

ارزولک

Surkhabi Hazaras40
Kohi

کوهی

Kohi Ungajit Uzbeks25
Sar Asiab

سر آسیاب

Khwajas15
Mad Khwaja[k]

ماد خواجه

Haidari Ungajit Uzbeks30
Za'faran

زعفران

Khwajas20
Sazai Kalan[l]

سازی کلان

Ungajit Uzbeks20
Ghora

غوره

Mixed80
HirahUzbeks and Khwajas260 families
Five villages

پنج ده

Mikrit Uzbeks200
Khwajah Kenti

خواجه کنتی

Khwajas60

Chichaktu district

Shirin Tagao district

Khairabad district

Villages of the Khairabad district[13]
VillageEthnic compositionPopulation (families)
Top Khanah Qal'ah

توپ خانه قلعه

Arghun Uzbeks60
Khairabad

خیرآباد

Arghun Uzbeks200
Khuda-yi Mad

خدای‌مد

Arghun Uzbeks90
TotalArghun Uzbeks350

Rulers

The following is a list of rulers of the Maimana Khanate according to Johnathan Lee's book.[2]

  • Ataliq Uraz Ming bin Baruti Bi (1612–30/1653–56)
  • Hajji Bi Khan Ming (1731–1772)
  • Jan Khan (1772–1795)
  • In 1795 Jan Khan was briefly succeeded by his eldest son, however the name is not given.
  • Muhammad Rahim Khan (1795–1804)
  • Ataliq Ahmad Quli Khan (1804–1814)
  • Ali Yar Khan (1814–1830)
  • In 1830 an unnamed Persian regent governed the khanate before being deposed.
  • Abd al-Mu'min Khan (1830–31)
  • Mizrab Khan (1831–1845)
  • Hukumat Khan and Sher Muhammad Khan (1845–48)
  • Hukumat Khan (1845–1862)
  • Muhammad Husain Khan bin Mizrab Khan (1862–March 1876)
  • From March 1876 to February 1879 the Maimana Khanate was annexed into Afghanistan and Afghan governors were appointed.
  • Muhammad Husain Khan (February–May 1879)
  • From May to November 1879 the khanate was again annexed into Afghanistan.
  • Between November 1879 and February 1880 there was a civil war in Maimana between the two main contenders to the throne: Dilawar Khan and Mohammad Husain Khan. eventually Dilawar Khan emerged victorious.
  • Dilawar Khan (February 1880–21 May 1884)
  • Muhammad Husain Khan bin Mizrab Khan (21 May 1884–88)
  • In 1888 Maimana was under Herat due to the revolt of Sardar Ishaq Khan.
  • Muhammad Sharif Khan (1889–1892)

Notes

References