Pakistani Weapons for Afghan Heroes

Recently, Kabul has objected to Pakistan's use of Afghan national heroic names for its military weapons. You really need a deep understanding of history to enjoy some humor here as well. Afghan Information Minister Makhdom Raheen has categorically requested Pakistan to use the names only for peaceful things like memorials, monuments, conference rooms and historical places.

If Afghans think that the names of Afghan warriors should be used for the purpose of peace alone then they really need to ask Hindu Historians and Raj dynasties who still lick their wounds at the hands of Mighty Afghan Warriors: Ghauri, Ghaznavi, Nadar Shah, and Abdali to name a few. These mighty warriors changed the socio-economic, political power structure of subcontinent-today's Pakistan and India. Today's Pakistani generals owe much of their power to Afghan invaders --had they not invaded India probably there was no Pakistan today (Pakistani historians mainly owe it to Muhammad Bin Qasim). Not only to pay tribute to their great ancestor-generals they name their weapons after Ghauri (now a Pakistani Missile), Abdali (now a Pakistani battle tank), and Ghaznvi (famous for seventeen attacks-never defeated) but to remind the Indian rivals of the destruction and havoc they created in subcontinent. It is possible that this recent objection is rooted in India's military corridors which---is more close to Karzi on South Asia advisory front---on one hand feels nervousness and on the other would like to see some embarrassment for Pakistani generals. Below is a brief snippet of history from Story of Pakistan so that you can gain an insight to my sense of humor (On a side note: I discovered that my father in law headed the very first story of Pakistan project at the time of inception).

GHAZNAVI One of the most controversial personalities in the history of South Asia, Mahmud Ghaznavi is known as one of the greatest conquerors the world has ever seen. He was one of the very few leaders who were never defeated in a battlefield. Born in 979, Mahmud became the Sultan of Ghazni in 998. He inherited the small state of Ghazni from his father Subuktigin, and turned it into an empire that lasted for about a century. He was a brave man and use to take part in all the battles his forces fought. Though he was interested in extending his empire toward Central Asia, the maneuverings of the Hindu rulers of Punjab forced him to invade South Asia. He came to South Asia seventeen times and went back to Ghazni every time with a great victory. He fought against the strong forces of Jaipal, Annadpal, Tarnochalpal, Kramta and the joint forces of Hindu Rajas and Maharajas but all of them were forced to flee away from the battlefield due to Mahmud's war strategy as a general. After the conquest of Multan and Lahore, Mahmud made Punjab a part of his empire in 1021.

Unlike other great conquerors like Alexander and Chengez Khan, Mahmud did not leave the areas conquered to the mercy of his soldiers. After becoming the first Muslim ruler to conquer Northern Punjab, he consolidated his rule in the area and established his provincial headquarters at Lahore. He established law and order in the areas that he ruled, giving special attention to the people he ruled. The department of police and post were efficient. His judicial system was very good as everybody was equal before the law and justice was the order of the day.
Mahmud was also a great patron of learning. His court was full of scholars including giants like Firdosi the poet, Behqi the historian and Al-Biruni the versatile scholar. It is said that he used to spend four hundred thousand golden Dinars on scholars. He invited the scholars from all over the world and was thus known as an abductor of scholars. Under Mahmud, Ghazni became one of the most important and beautiful cities of the Islamic world. It was the city of mosques, madrasas and libraries. He also established a Museum in Ghazni. During his rule, Lahore also became a great center of learning and culture. Lahore was called 'Small Ghazni'. Saad Salman, a poet of those times, has written about the academic and cultural life of Lahore.
Mahmud was also a deeply religious man. He himself wrote a book on Fiqh. He had respect for other religions. A large number of Hindus lived in Ghazni, and they enjoyed religious freedom. One of his commanders named Tilak was a Hindu. A number of soldiers in his army were also Hindus. Mahmud attacked the Hindu Temples in India because of political and not religious reasons.

GHAURI Muizz-ud-din Muhammad bin Sam, commonly known as Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Ghauri is one of the key persons who played a significant role in the establishment of Muslim rule in North India. An ambitious person, Muhammad Ghauri wanted to extend his rule towards South Asia. He took the small state of Ghazni from his brother Ghiyas-ud-din Muhammad bin Sam and turned it into an empire by conquering vast territories. First he captured the area ruled by the Ghaznavids and later on extended his rule to North India and Bengal. He was an able general and a brave soldier. He never let a temporary defeat stand in his way.
After his defeat in the first battle of Tarain in 1191 at the hands of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, ruler of Delhi and Ajmer, he spent a complete year
preparing for war. He came back in 1192 and defeated Raj Chauhan in the second battle of Tarain. He was the first Muslim ruler to conquer Delhi and establish a Muslim rule in India.
Muhammad Ghuri was a loyal brother. He refrained from declaring his independence in South Asia, knowing that it would result in civil war between the two brothers. Till the death of Ghiyas-ud-din Muhammad bin Sam in 1202, Ghauri never considered himself anything but a general in his brother's army. After every victory he would send the best of the looted items to his elder brother in Firuz Koh. Ghiyas-ud-din reciprocated by never interfering in the affairs of his younger brother. Thus they were each able to concentrate on their own responsibilities. As a result, Muhammad Ghauri managed to push permanent Muslim rule much further east than Mahmud Ghaznavi did.
Muhammad Ghuri had no heirs and thus he treated his slaves as his sons. It is said that he trained thousands of Turkish slaves in the art of warfare and administration.
Most of his slaves were given excellent education. During his reign many hardworking and intelligent slaves rose to positions of excellence. Once a courtier regretted that Sultan has no male heirs. Ghauri immediately replied, "Other monarchs may have one son, or two sons; I have thousands of sons. Namely my Turkish slaves who will be the heirs of my dominions, and who, after me, will take care to preserve my name in the Khutbah throughout these territories". Ghauri's prediction proved true when he was succeeded by a dynasty of Turkish Slaves.
Though Ghauri's main aim was the expansion of his empire, he also
took an interest in the patronization of education and learning. Illustrious Muslim philosopher Fakh-ud-din Razi and the well know poet Nizami Aruzi were few of the big names of his era.
In 1206, Ghauri had to travel to Lahore to crush a revolt. On his way back to Ghazni, his caravan halted at Damik near Jehlum. He was killed while offering his evening prayers. Many think that the murderer was an Ismaili. However, some historians believe that the murderer belonged to the warrior Ghakkar tribe that resided in the area. He was buried where he fell and his tomb has recently been renovated. Muhammad Ghauri is remembered as an empire builder and is justly called the founder of the Muslim Empire in Indo-Pakistan.

On the other hand their respect for knowledge and people who accepted their rule cannot be completely brushed aside. They were able to mortar holes in India's caste system but could not erase it completely. The caste system in Pakistan (now a Muslim majority state-supposed to have equal opportunities) has its deep cultural roots in Indian system of civic segregation.

And I don't know since when both Afghans and Pakistanis have become peaceful brothers (only time will tell its tall tales) as Pakistan has accused Kabul for supplying weapons to Ferari camp in Baluchistan. I can bet as soon as American venture is over in Afghanistan, Afghans would be the first one pushing shopping cart around for these Cino-Pakistani ventured toys with the names of their ancestors painted on foreheads (just a guess--may be not!).