Pashtuns and Afghan Leaders

For most of Afghanistan's history the rulers of the country, whether Shahs, Kings or Presidents, have been Pashtuns. .

Shown at right is Ahmad Shah Durrani who created the Afghan Empire in the 18th century. Shown at left is Hamid Karzai, the current president of Afghanistan. Both are Pashtuns from the Popalzai clan within the Durrani tribal alliance. Two Durrani clans, first Popalzai, then Barakzai, ruled Afghanistan from the mid-18th century to the Communist coup of 1978. Many Communist rulers, as well as mujahideen commanders and the leader of the Taliban Mullah Omar came from the rival Ghilzai tribal alliance. Apart for the Durranis and Ghilzais, there are many smaller alliances and individual tribes.