20/02/2026
Today marks the 337th death anniversary of Khushal Khan Khattak, the great Pashtun poet, warrior, and writer. He composed nearly 40,000 verses and authored 17 works, making him one of the most influential figures in Pashto literature.
Born in Akora Khattak near Peshawar, he came from a prominent Khattak family. His grandfather, Malik Akoray Khattak, had been appointed by the Mughal emperor Akbar to collect taxes in the region, which helped the village grow in importance.
Khushal became head of his tribe at 18 after his father and grandfather. He was highly educated in Islamic sciences, philosophy, medicine, logic, and literature. After conflicts with the Mughal Empire and imprisonment, he became a fierce opponent of Mughal rule and led resistance efforts among the Pashtuns.
He had 62 children (30 sons and 32 daughters). The Mughals allegedly tried to bribe his son Bahram Khan to capture or kill him, but Khushal fled to the Afridi areas of Tirah with the help of his sons Nusrat Khan and Gohar Khan.
He died on February 20, 1689, at the age of 76. According to tradition, he requested to be buried where “the dust of Mughal horses would not fall on his grave.” He was buried in Akora Khattak, where his tomb later became a symbol of Pashtun pride. Decades ago, during the reign of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the shrine was renovated and a small library was built in his memory.
Khushal Khan Khattak remains a lasting symbol of Pashtun unity, courage, and literary excellence.
