Akbar Khan

Akbar Khan

Mohammad Akbar Khan (1813-1845) was an Afghan Prince, general and tribal leader. He was active in the First Anglo-Afghan War, which lasted from 1839-1842. He is prominent for his leadership of the national party in Kabul from 1841-1842, and his pursuit of the retreating British army from Kabul to Gandamak near Jalalabad in 1842.

Akbar was the son of Amir Dost Mohammed Khan, and he led a revolt in Kabul against the British mission of William McNaughten, Alexander 'Sekundar' Burnes and their garrison of 4,500 men. In November 1841, he besieged Major-General William Elphinstone's force in Kabul. Elphinstone accepted a safe-conduct for his force and about 12,000 associated refugees to flee to India; they were ambushed and massacred. It was claimed in at least one set of British war memoirs that, during the retreat, Akbar Khan could be heard alternately commanding his men, in Persian to desist from, and in Pushtu to continue, firing.

Historians think it unlikely that Akbar Khan wished for the total annihilation of the British force. An astute man politically, he would have been aware that allowing the British to extricate themselves from Afghanistan would give him the time to consolidate his control of the diverse hill tribes; whereas, a massacre of 14,000 people of which only about a quarter were a fighting force, would not be tolerated back in London and would result in another, larger army sent to exact retribution. This was in fact what happened the following year.

Many believe that Akbar Khan was poisoned by his father, Dost Mohammed, who feared his ambitions.cite web|url=http://www.afghan-web.com/bios/yest/akbar.html
title=Biography: Mohammad Akbar Khan|year=2001
accessmonthday=December 5 |accessyear=2006
publisher=Afghanistan Online
]

In fiction

The historical figure of Akbar Khan plays a major role in George MacDonald Fraser's novel "Flashman.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Akbar Khan (disambiguation) — Akbar Khan may refer to: Akbar Khan, Afghan general involved in the first Anglo Afghan War Akbar Khan (Pakistan), Pakistani general Ali Akbar Khan, Indian classical musician Muhammed Akbar Khan, first native Muslim general in British Indian Army… …   Wikipedia

  • Akbar Khan (Pakistani general) — For other people named Akbar Khan, see Akbar Khan (disambiguation). Mohammad Akbar Khan Born Charsadda , Pakistan Allegiance …   Wikipedia

  • Akbar Khan (Pakistan) — Major General Akbar Khan, DSO also known as Mohammed Akbar Khan, fought as the Brigadier in charge in Kashmir on the Pakistan side in Indo Pakistan war of 1948. He also helped to stop the first Baloch insurgency of 1948. Later he served as the… …   Wikipedia

  • Akbar Khan Bugti — Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti (* 12. Juli 1927 in Barkhan; † 26. August 2006 bei Tratani, Kohlu District) war ein pakistanischer Politiker und Rebellenführer. Bugti widmete sein Leben dem Kampf für die Autonomie Belutschistans. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Muhammed Akbar Khan — For other people named Akbar Khan, see Akbar Khan (disambiguation). Muhammad Akbar Khan Born Chakwal, British India Allegiance …   Wikipedia

  • Ali Akbar Khan — Ali Akbar Khan, 1988 Ali Akbar Khan (bengalisch: আলী আকবর খান, Ālī Ākbar Khān; * 14. Februar 1922 in Shibpur, Ostbengalen; † 19. Juni 2009 in San Francisco, Kalifornien) war ein …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Ali Akbar Khan — Ustad Ali Akbar Khan ( bn. আলী আকবর খাঁ), a master of the sarod, His performances worldwide have established the modern sarod idiom and contributed to greater awareness of Indian classical music.Ali Akbar Khan was born on April 14, 1922 in the… …   Wikipedia

  • Ali Akbar Khan — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Khan (homonymie). Ali Akbar Khan, né en 1922 au Bengale de l’Est (actuel …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti — (* 12. Juli 1927 in Barkhan; † 26. August 2006 bei Tratani, Kohlu District) war ein pakistanischer Politiker und Rebellenführer. Bugti widmete sein Leben dem Kampf für die Autonomie Belutschistans. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Leben 2 Politik und Ansehen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mouhammad Akbar Khan — Shahzada Mouhhamad Akbar Khan fut un prince afghan de la dynastie des Durrani du XVIIIe siècle. Mouhammad Akbar était le second fils du Prince Mouhammad Khan et petit fils de Abdoullah Khan, Shah de Hérat et Chef du Clan Abdali. Nous ne… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”