# Babrak Khan

Babrak Khan (Pahsto: ببرک خان ځدراڼ; died c. 1925) was a Zadran chieftain who was the father of Said Akbar Babrak (assassin of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaqat Ali Khan) and of Mazrak Zadran (a rebel leader during the Afghan tribal revolts of 1944–1947).
He died during the Khost rebellion (1924–1925), although details about for which side and when he died in this rebellion are contradictory between sources.

## Biography
### Early life

Babrak Khan born in Almara. He was the son of Mazar Khan (Pashto: مزرک خان). Babrak spent most of his early life in poverty.

### Chieftain

In 1898, Babrak had under him five companies of Zadran Khasadars, whom he maintained on a contract system with emir Abdur Rahman Khan, but these were subsequently disbanded and their place taken by regular troops. According to Ludwig Adamec, he took part in quelling the Khost rebellion of 1912, even though the Zadran tribe (which he was supposedly chief of) was fighting against the Afghan government, according to the Britannica Year book 1913. Zadrans burnt his tower in 1913. In 1917, he headed a deputation of leading Zadran Maliks which visited the Nazim of Khost with a view to making peace with the British. He also tried to restrain Zadrans from troubling the Tochi border. In March 1919, Babrak left for Kabul with Sayyid Musa Shah Mandozai to offer allegiance to Amanullah Khan. In May, he despatched messengers to Miranshah and Sherani to summon Maliks. During the Third Anglo-Afghan War, he accompanied the Afghan Army as far as Matun and was said to have participated in Nadir Khan's attack on Thal. For his efforts in the war, he was promoted to honorary Brigadier and Naib Salar.

### Death and succession

Sources disagree on the circumstances surrounding Babrak's death. In March 1924, a rebellion broke out in Khost, and the Zadran tribe was among the tribes opposing the Afghan government, according to A Guide to Intra-state Wars. Ludwig Adamec and David B. Edwards agree that Babrak died fighting in the Khost rebellion, but disagree about which year - Edwards places it in 1924, and Adamec places it in 1925. Adamec and Edwards both state that Babrak fought for the Afghan government, against what would be his own tribe according to A Guide to Intra-state Wars. However, George Fetherling states that Babrak did lead the Zadran revolt, and died fighting against the Afghan government, upon which he was succeeded by his son, Mazrak Zadran. Rhea Talley Stewart appears to contradict claims that Babrak led the Zadran tribe during the Khost rebellion, stating that the Zadran were led by Burland Khan at this time.

## Family

| | | | | | | | | | | | | Mazar Khan fl. late 19th century | Mazar Khan fl. late 19th century | Mazar Khan fl. late 19th century | Mazar Khan fl. late 19th century | Mazar Khan fl. late 19th century | Mazar Khan fl. late 19th century | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Babrak Khan d. 1924 or 1925 | Babrak Khan d. 1924 or 1925 | Babrak Khan d. 1924 or 1925 | Babrak Khan d. 1924 or 1925 | Babrak Khan d. 1924 or 1925 | Babrak Khan d. 1924 or 1925 | | | Khan Muhammad | Khan Muhammad | Khan Muhammad | Khan Muhammad | Khan Muhammad | Khan Muhammad |
| Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972 | Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972 | Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972 | Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972 | Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972 | Mazrak Zadran fl. 1900s – 1972 | | | Said Akbar Babrak b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951 | Said Akbar Babrak b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951 | Said Akbar Babrak b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951 | Said Akbar Babrak b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951 | Said Akbar Babrak b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951 | Said Akbar Babrak b. 1921 or 1922 d. 16 Oct 1951 | | | Sher Muhd Khan fl. 1925 – 1947 | Sher Muhd Khan fl. 1925 – 1947 | Sher Muhd Khan fl. 1925 – 1947 | Sher Muhd Khan fl. 1925 – 1947 | Sher Muhd Khan fl. 1925 – 1947 | Sher Muhd Khan fl. 1925 – 1947 | | | Izmair fl. 1925 – 1945 | Izmair fl. 1925 – 1945 | Izmair fl. 1925 – 1945 | Izmair fl. 1925 – 1945 | Izmair fl. 1925 – 1945 | Izmair fl. 1925 – 1945 | 5 or 14 others | 5 or 14 others | 5 or 14 others | 5 or 14 others | 5 or 14 others | 5 or 14 others |
| | | Dilawar Khan b. 1939 or 1940 | Dilawar Khan b. 1939 or 1940 | Dilawar Khan b. 1939 or 1940 | Dilawar Khan b. 1939 or 1940 | Dilawar Khan b. 1939 or 1940 | Dilawar Khan b. 1939 or 1940 | | | | | Muhammad Umar Babrakzai fl. 1980 | Muhammad Umar Babrakzai fl. 1980 | Muhammad Umar Babrakzai fl. 1980 | Muhammad Umar Babrakzai fl. 1980 | Muhammad Umar Babrakzai fl. 1980 | Muhammad Umar Babrakzai fl. 1980 |
* ↑ Sources disagree how many sons Babrak had - Jamna Das Akhtar states that Babrak had 18 sons, while a Pakistani government inquiry titled The Assassination of Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan states that Babrak had 9 sons. David B. Edwards states that Babrak had 2 sons, but this appears to be false, as at least 4 of his son's names are known.
* ↑ Muhammad Umar Babrakzai was Babrak Khan's grandchild although it's unclear through what father.