"Malalai Maiwand: The Afghan Woman Who Broke an Empire"*

### **The Story of Malalai and the British Invasions: Two Eternal Symbols of Afghan Resistance**

#### **1. Historical Background of the British Invasions**

The **First British Invasion (1839–1842)** and **Second British Invasion (1878–1880)** are pivotal chapters in Afghanistan’s struggle for independence. Britain invaded to curb Russian influence and protect its Indian colony. In the first invasion, it installed **Shah Shujah** as a puppet king, but Afghans rejected him as "Britain’s Boy." In the second, Britain backed **Ayub Khan**, who faced defeat at the Battle of Maiwand .

#### **2. Mullah Akbar Khan: Resistance Against the First Invasion**

- **Kabul Uprising (1841)**: Mullah Akbar Khan united tribes (Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks) and launched guerrilla warfare against the British. His tactics led to the assassination of British envoy **Sir William Macnaghten** and loss of British control over Kabul.

- **Retreat from Kabul (1842)**: General Elphinstone’s 16,500-strong force fled toward Jalalabad, but Afghan tribal attacks along the 128 km route left **only one survivor** (Dr. Brydon). This became known globally as the "Graveyard of Empires" .

- **Assassination (1847)**: When Britain launched its second invasion, Mullah Akbar Khan was killed under mysterious circumstances. Some sources attribute this to British spies .

#### **3. Malalai of Maiwand: Icon of the Second Invasion**

- **Battle of Maiwand (1880)**: Malalai, from the "Khogiani" village near Kandahar, joined forces under Muhammad Ayub Khan. When the Afghan flag fell, she raised it while chanting:

> *"Kha la ba de yar la weeno kṣ̌eǵdam, če šinki bāǵ ki gul gulāb wə šarmawina!*

> ***Ka pa Maywand kə šahīd nə šwəm, Xodayāṛo be nangə tə de sātina!"***

(*"I’ll make a crimson patch from my lover’s blood; / If I die not at Maiwand, by God, I’ll save honor!"*).

Her act rallied Afghan troops, leading to a British defeat .

- **Martyrdom and Legacy**: Malalai died in battle. Her grave near **Balkh Hospital** remains neglected, but her red scarf and white robes endure as symbols of Afghan women’s courage .

#### **4. Shared Legacy of Malalai and Mullah Akbar Khan**

| **Aspect** | **Mullah Akbar Khan** | **Malalai of Maiwand** |

|---------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|

| **Resistance Type** | Political revolt (tribal unity) | Symbolic battlefield heroism |

| **Tactic** | Guerrilla warfare & urban uprising | Morale-boosting poetic defiance |

| **Enemy** | First British Invasion (1839–1842) | Second British Invasion (1878–1880)|

| **Legacy** | "Ghazi" title, national anthems | Red-scarf poetry, films, folklore |

#### **5. Reasons for British Defeat**

- **Tribal Unity**: Both leaders united diverse tribes (e.g., Mullah Akbar with Hazaras/Tajiks; Malalai with Kandahari Pashtuns) against Britain .

- **Terrain Ignorance**: British forces failed to adapt to Afghanistan’s harsh geography (winter snow, narrow passes) and guerrilla tactics .

- **Puppet Leaders**: Shah Shujah and Ayub Khan were branded "traitors" by Afghans, ensuring zero public support .

#### **6. Historical Impact and Global Influence**

- **Human Cost**: First invasion: 45,000+ British troops and 150,000 Afghan civilians killed.

- **Afghanistan’s Reputation**: The "Graveyard of Empires" stereotype inspired anti-colonial movements worldwide .

- **Cultural Legacy**: Malalai was depicted in **Illustrated London News** as the "female face of Afghan resistance," while Mullah Akbar became a national anthem icon .

#### **7. Conclusion: Living Lessons**

Malalai and Mullah Akbar Khan’s stories reveal an eternal truth: **"Afghanistan will never surrender to foreign invasion."** Though Malalai’s grave in Balkh remains unmarked, her poetry and flag-raising live in Afghan hearts. Mullah Akbar’s political resolve and Malalai’s poetic courage prove Afghan resistance triumphs through **tribal unity, faith, and national pride**. This legacy is not just history—it is a roadmap for the future .

> **Sources for Verification**:

> - Ajab Khan Apridi’s accounts of resistance

> - Mullah Akbar Khan’s political role in *Khan and Commissioner* (novel)

> - Historical records of British invasions