The 3th of June, marks the 254th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Baba, the great ruler of Afghanistan and the founder of the Durrani Empire. Historical accounts indicate that he struggled with a serious illness during the final years of his life, and news of his death was deliberately withheld for a period of time to ensure a smooth and secure transfer of power.
According to research by Sardar Wali Pashtoonzai, Ahmad Shah Baba developed a nasal ailment in his youth after falling from a horse. It is believed that the condition later progressed into nasal cancer, causing his health to deteriorate steadily. In an effort to improve his condition, he was moved to the Toba Mountain region east of Kandahar, where the climate was considered beneficial for his illness.
Ahmad Shah Baba passed away on June 3, 1773, in the village of Yargaki, located on the slopes of the Toba Mountains in Kandahar. He died at the residence of Barkhurdar Khan Achakzai, one of his close companions and military commanders.
Historical sources state that following his death, the news was kept secret in order to preserve the stability of the kingdom. Yaqut Shah immediately sent a message to Timur Shah, urging him to return to Kandahar as quickly as possible and assume control of state affairs. During this period, Ahmad Shah Baba’s body was kept in secrecy, while the public was informed that he remained ill.
Subsequently, his body was transferred from the Toba region to Kandahar. The funeral rites and burial ceremony were conducted with the participation of the public and members of the royal court. He was laid to rest in the garden that he had personally established to house the Sacred Cloak.
Ahmad Shah Baba is remembered in Afghan history as one of the country’s most powerful rulers and an eminent national figure. His legacy continues to constitute an important part of Afghanistan’s historical identity and national heritage.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
