Dost Muhammad Khan - Afghanistan's Greatest King? | History Documentary

Dost Muhammad Khan lived two hundred years ago, but his stature as the byword for an illustrious ruler had a long-lasting resonance. Surviving many dangers in a tempestuous era, he laid the foundations for not only the Barakzai dynasty but also the state of Afghanistan. With the decay of the Durrani Empire, Afghanistan had a need for a strong ruler that could keep the realm unified. The Dost fit that bill perfectly. For much of his reign, he had to balance dealing with internal discord in his realm, whilst protecting it from outside for like the capable Sikh armies of Ranjit Singh. Perhaps his greatest victory came in mediating the Great Game rivalry of Britain and Russia, who both had their own designs for his Emirate. Who was this larger-than-life figure, and what was his story?

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Images Used:

Music Used:

Doug Maxwell - Arabian Nightfall (Sting):

Epidemic Sound

If any of the images or songs are yours, please let me know I will amend them. Please don't report me straight away!

0:00 Intro
1:20 Durrani's Decline Whilst Barakzai Brothers Ascend
6:19 Dost Rises Above His Brothers
8:05 Afghanistan - From Empire To Amirate
11:03 Getting Caught In The Great Game
16:04 The Graveyard Of Empires
27:41 Dost Becomes The Great Amir

[HikmaHistory]

Does Dost Mohammad Khan have a claim to be Afghanistan's Founding Father? Or should that title remain with Ahmad Shah Durrani?

[Historian-Perspective]

Consistently impressed by your ability to produce high-quality documentaries like this on Islamic history, especially on important subjects which receive less attention in both popular and scholarly media.

[muazzamshaikh]

Great video. I'd also love to see separate video on the conflicts between Afghans & Sikhs, right from Ahmed Shah Abdali to Ranjit Singh.

[Historia]

The pashtun struggle for Independence and an empire starts way before the British domination of the area. You have to read about Aimal khan Mohmand. How he defeated the Mughal army at the battle of Karapa. The pashtun has oral tradition so most of the writing is coming from the other side.

[zainmudassir]

Thanks for Afghanistan history. Lots of respect from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[KareemUnfiltereds]

moral of the story : Always try to learn and keep changing according to demand.

[muazzamshaikh]

Speaking of Jihad against the British, there was a Jihad movement gaining ground in South Asia as well. Syed Ahmed Barelevi, who was wary of Sikh gains in the North West frontier, waged a jihad against them by instigating the frontier tribes against them. However his strict injunctions of Islamic law on a people governed by tribal customs was met with opposition. Eventually, the Pathans deserted him and he himself was killed in a battle against the Sikhs at Balakot in 1831.

[HistoryOfRevolutions]

A hugely importantly leader in Afghanistans history but not talked about so often. Would also love to see a video abour Mir Masjidi Khan.

[joshuafrimpong]

Could you do a video on Dan fodio or Bamba? Or even Al-Kameni

[johnnzboy]

Wonderful images, especially the 18th/19th-century watercolours, and I love how the Westerners are represented in the Mughal paintings (miniatures?). Super interesting to hear about the Great Game from the Afghani perspective. First-class research and presentation, great video.

[ľőŵďǒpė]

loving your channel. i spent about 40 months of my life in different provinces of Afghanistan and always said i wanted to bring my family to visit. it’s an l beautiful country. the people are generous and were always very welcoming and beyond kind to their guests, as long as you showed them the same respect you’d expect and spent the time to learn their customs and laws. the day Afghanistan fell to the Taliban was a genuinely dark day for me and many of my brothers that fought there…. true freedom was smothered in its cradle.

tbh the food is fuckin’ bangin, too.

[CARL_]

The tomb of Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan, the establisher of Bhopal province and his wife Fateh Bibi is situated in the campus of Gandhi Medical College. Their son Yaar Muhammad Khan built this tomb in the year 1742 A.D. Built on a high square platform, this tomb is enclosed by 12 feet high walls on all the sides.

[Khalsafauj]

9:09
Shah shoja was also a tributary to ranjit Singh. From 1839-1842 when he was killed. There also was a Sikh garrison within Kabul.

[ZwaanAfghan]

Great work brother. Pls make more similar videos on Afghan history. Manana!

[WatanjarBark]

Proud of you my graveyard of empire 💪❤

[bactriantv]

Can you please answer one question. Why all those pashtoon kings had farsi-Dari Names not pashto names?

[sx]

the amount of effort you have put in the videos are amazing, keep it up 🎉

[Boric]

Only just caught up with your recent content. Really enjoyed it all especially this. I had heard of him, but did not understand the context. This answered questions and filled the gaps in. Fascinating.

[tajb]

Respect to Afghans and Sikhs who are historical neighbors and both warrior people. Their battles were legendary and shape the land even to this day.

[GreaterAfghanistanMovement]

He was a lazy and incompetent ruler who had his own brother murdered to rule the throne. His son was a much better person and had a vision for Afghanistan and most defiantly to not let it become a British colony or protectorate.

May Allah grant peace & forgiveness to Wazir Akbar Khan.