Amar Khan Shikak
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by Kermit Roosevelt
1873
Amar Khan Sharifi | |
|---|---|
 Amar Khan Shikak, 1929 | |
| Native name | عهمهر خان شەریفی |
| Nicknames | The grand old man of Kurdistan by Kermit Roosevelt |
| Born | Amar Mohammad Sharif Sharifi 1873 Zindasht, West Azerbaijan, Iran |
| Died | 1958[1] Zindasht, West Azerbaijan, Iran |
| Allegiance |  Republic of Mahabad |
| Rank | Marshal[2] |
| Conflicts | |
| Relations | Simko Shikak |
Amar Khan Sharifi (Kurdish: عهمهر خانی شەریفی, Kurdish pronunciation: [ʕæˈmær xaːˈniː ʃæˈriːfi]; 1873 – 1958 in Zindasht, West Azerbaijan, Iran), better known as Amar Khan Shikak (Kurdish: عەمەر خانی شکاک, romanized: Emer Xanî Şikak) was a prominent Kurdish tribal leader from the Shekak tribe.[3][4] He was the son of Mohammad Sharif Sharifi and played a significant role in the leadership of the Kardar and Shekak tribes following his father's death.[5] Based on local accounts, Amar Khan was reported to be Simko's uncle, although others believed that he was Simko's cousin.[6]
During the early 20th century, the Shekak tribe gained influence under the leadership of Simko Shikak, especially after receiving support from the Russian Empire. Amar Khan became Simko's chief aide among the Shekaks during this period.[7] After Simko's assassination, he assumed the leadership of the Shekak tribe.[5]
Amar Khan later aligned with Qazi Muhammad and the Republic of Mahabad.[8]
Amar Khan served as the paramount chieftain of the Shikak tribe and was a notable figure in Iranian Kurdistan. He reportedly made a strong impression on American observers, including Kermit Roosevelt, who described him as 'the grand old man of Kurdistan', and William O. Douglas, who visited him after the fall of Mahabad.
Despite his high-ranking position within the Mahabad Republic, some historians have characterized his actions as opportunistic. He was appointed Minister of War and held the rank of Marshal in the republic. In addition, he was a member of the central committee of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and a signatory of the Azerbaijani–Kurdish Treaty on April 23, 1946.[2] During his time in the Mahabad, he reportedly maintained communication with George V. Allen, the American ambassador to Iran.[9] Following the fall of Mahabad, it was through Allen's intervention that Amar Khan avoided execution by Iranian government.[10]
