Tweet
Afghana or Avagana[3] is a tribal chief or prince in Pashtun folklore, said to be of Bani Israel (Israelite) origin, who is traditionally considered the progenitor of modern-day Pashtuns,[4][5][6][7][8] the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and second largest in Pakistan. The ethnonym "Afghan" is believed to derive from his name.[4][5][6][7][8]
Afghana or Avagana
Born Probably Jerusalem
Died Zhob Sulaiman Mountains, Pakistan,[1][2] alternate version: Ghor Province Afghanistan
House House of Saul
Father Irmia (Jeremiah)
Religion Judaism
According to the Tanakh, King Saul (Talut) was the son of Kish, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve Tribes of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Saul married Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz and had four sons and two daughters. The sons were Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua and Ish-bosheth. Saul's daughters were named Merab and Michal.[9]
Pashtun folklore and some historians[who?] suggest that King Saul had five sons instead of four, the fifth was named Irmia (Jeremiah).[10][11][12]
legend describes Malak Afghana as the son of Irmia (Jeremiah) and grandson of King Saul (Talut).[10][11][12] This name is mentioned in the form of Abgan in the 3rd century CE by the Sassanians[13] and as Avagana in the 6th century CE by Indian astronomer Varahamihira.[14]
It is mentioned that Afghana was orphaned at a young age, and brought up by King David. When Solomon became the king, Afghana was made commander-in-chief of the army. Malak Afghana is also credited with the building of the first temple in Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, known later in Arabic as the Haram al-Sharif (Arabic: الحرم القدسي الشريف, al-haram al-qudsī ash-sharīf):[15][16][17]
According to Tadhkirat al-Muluk, Malak Afghana migrated to the place known as Takht-i-Sulaiman and generations later Qais Abdur Rashid, a descendant of Malak Afghana, embraced Islam.[18][19]
Afghana or Avagana
Born Probably Jerusalem
Died Zhob Sulaiman Mountains, Pakistan,[1][2] alternate version: Ghor Province Afghanistan
House House of Saul
Father Irmia (Jeremiah)
Religion Judaism
According to the Tanakh, King Saul (Talut) was the son of Kish, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve Tribes of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2). Saul married Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz and had four sons and two daughters. The sons were Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua and Ish-bosheth. Saul's daughters were named Merab and Michal.[9]
Pashtun folklore and some historians[who?] suggest that King Saul had five sons instead of four, the fifth was named Irmia (Jeremiah).[10][11][12]
legend describes Malak Afghana as the son of Irmia (Jeremiah) and grandson of King Saul (Talut).[10][11][12] This name is mentioned in the form of Abgan in the 3rd century CE by the Sassanians[13] and as Avagana in the 6th century CE by Indian astronomer Varahamihira.[14]
It is mentioned that Afghana was orphaned at a young age, and brought up by King David. When Solomon became the king, Afghana was made commander-in-chief of the army. Malak Afghana is also credited with the building of the first temple in Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, known later in Arabic as the Haram al-Sharif (Arabic: الحرم القدسي الشريف, al-haram al-qudsī ash-sharīf):[15][16][17]
According to Tadhkirat al-Muluk, Malak Afghana migrated to the place known as Takht-i-Sulaiman and generations later Qais Abdur Rashid, a descendant of Malak Afghana, embraced Islam.[18][19]
Comment