Ghilzai

The Ghilzai, also known as the Ghiljī or Khilji are a prominent tribe of Pashtuns and largest tribe in Pashtun. Their traditional homeland are the regions of Ghazni, Kandahar and Qalat in Afghanistan and are also settled in other regions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan tribal area and communicate in all dialects of Pashto. 

Tribes
They are one of the largest branches of Pashtuns made up of many tribes from within such as the following:
 Tarakai
 Ahmadzai
 Suleimankhel
 Kharoti
 Hotak
 Nasar
 Akakhel
 Andar

History
The Ghilzai were a largely powerful group of Pashtuns who led resistance and conquered many powers. The Khilji Dynasty of India defeated the Mongols and prevented them from entering India. The Hotaki tribe from Kandahār founded the Hotaki dynasty which ruled over Persia under its leader Mirwais Hotak. 

The Ghilzais are thought to be Turkic, as DNA evidence shows proof & a speculation that they were originally the Khalaj people, a Turkic group in Iran. 

Famous people
Many presidents, soldiers and revolutionaries were apart of this tribe including:
 Nur Muhammad Tarakai, Afghan revolutionary who led the Saur Revolution
 Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai, President of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
 Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 
 Hafizullah Amin, Afghan communist of the Kharoti tribe 
 Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Afghan mojahiddin leader 

Related pages
 Durrani
 Yusufzai

 References 

Category:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan
Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan
Category:Ethnic groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Category:Tribes of Afghanistan
Category:Tribes of Pakistan