The correct answer is Khushal Khan Khattak.
Khushal Khan Khattak (1613–1689), often affectionately remembered as Khushal Baba, is widely revered as the national poet of Afghanistan and the father of Pashto literature.
History and Literary Legacy:
- Warrior-Poet of the Pashtuns: Born near Akora Khattak into the prominent Khattak tribe, Khushal Khan was both a chieftain and a military leader. He wielded both the sword and the pen, spending his early life serving under the Mughal Empire before leading a major armed resistance against Emperor Aurangzeb to defend Pashtun autonomy.
- Master of Pashto Poetry: He wrote over 45,000 poems spanning a wide array of genres, including patriotic verse, philosophy, ethics, romantic ghazals, and military strategy. Works such as Dastar Nama, Swat Nama, and Baz Nama remain legendary classics in Pashto prose and poetry.
- Voice of Unity & Nationalism: Through his verses, he constantly preached self-reliance, personal honor (Nang), and political unity among divided Pashtun tribes. His profound national impact led Allama Muhammad Iqbal to famously praise him as the "Hakeem" (physician/philosopher) of the Afghan nation.
Strategic Significance:
- Elevation of Pashto Language: Before Khushal Khan Khattak, much of the region's official literature was written in Persian. He elevated Pashto into a sophisticated medium for high philosophy, statecraft, and romantic expression.
- Cultural Symbol: His written legacy serves as a foundational pillar for Afghan cultural identity, regional history, and classical literature across both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Comparison of the Options:
- Amir Crore: Incorrect. Amir Crore Suri is traditionally regarded by some historians as one of the earliest known Pashto poets (8th century), but he is not designated as Afghanistan's national poet.
- Khushal Khan Khattak: The correct answer. He holds the official historical title of National Poet of Afghanistan due to his unparalleled contributions to Pashto literature and national consciousness.
- Rehman Baba: Incorrect. Abdul Rahman Baba was a contemporary 17th-century Sufi Pashto poet famous for his spiritual and mystic verses, but he does not hold the national poet title.
- None of these: Incorrect. The second option accurately identifies the historic figure.
Discussion
Leave a Comment