Malak Gaju Khan Yousafzai (Pashto: ګجو خان بابا), also spelled Gajju Khan or Gajo Khan Yousafzai, Popularly known as Khan Al Khawanin or Khan of Khans, was a Pashtun Ruler and military commander from Yousafzai chieftaincy. He is often seen as a founding chief of the tribe.[2]

Gaju Khan Baba
ګجو خان بابا
Born1490
Kabul,[1] in present-day Afghanistan
Died1565 (aged 74–75)
OccupationRevolutionary leader
Known for
  • Conquest of Swat
  • Conquest of Mardan
  • Conquest of Peshawar
TitleKhan Al Khawanin
PredecessorMalak Ahmad Khan Yusufzai
SuccessorMalak Mesri Khan Yusufzai
ChildrenIbrahim Khan Yousafzai
Parents
  • Malak Qarar Khan Yousafzai (father)
  • Mowanda Bibi (mother)

Gaju Khan once served under the Banner of Sher Shah Sur until he rose to the chieftancy of his own tribe. His tomb is in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[3][4][5]

Early life

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Gaju Khan, a notable figure from the Mandanr branch of the famous Pashtun Yusufzai tribe, was born in 1490 in the house of Malik Qara Khan, son of Malik Behzad Sadozai, in Kabul. His family was well-known for its power and wealth. Gaju Khan lost his father at a young age, and his education and upbringing were overseen by his mother, Mowanda Bibi, who paid special attention to his religious and worldly learning. Mowanda Bibi also introduced him to the art of warfare. She was known throughout Afghanistan at the time as a virtuous, and devout woman.[citation needed]

Legacy

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The Gajju Khan Medical College Swabi is named after him.[6][7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hoti lauds Gaju Khan Baba services. The Nation.
  2. ^ Yousaf, Nasser (4 February 2014). "Chief of Yousafzais and a would be spiritual leader".
  3. ^ Tarikh-i-Khan Jahani wa Makhzan-i-Afghani (1960) written by Khwaja Niamatullah al-Harawi
  4. ^ Ḥayāt-i Afghānī (1867) by Muhammad Hayat Khan
  5. ^ Hoti, Mohammad Jamal (January 2, 2014). "Gaju Khan's tomb renovated". DAWN.COM.
  6. ^ Correspondent, The Newspaper's (2015-08-30). "New medical college inaugurated in Swabi". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  7. ^ Akhunzada, Babar (2015-08-30). "GAJJU KHAN MEDICAL COLLEGE Swabi". thePeshawar.com. Retrieved 2023-06-10.