Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Medal
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| Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Medal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | civil and military officials of allied countries in recognition of their work to promote peace and security, and further economic and social development in Afghanistan. |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Presented by | Afghanistan |
| First award | 1982 |
| Final award | 2021 (last reported) |
The Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Medal is both a civilian and a military award, designated a High State Medal, in Afghanistan. The medal is named in honor of Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan, an ethnic Tajik from Mir Bacha Khan district, on the Shamali Plain, located to the north of Kabul city. The district was named for Mir Bacha Khan and people called him “Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Kohdamani”. He a hero of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, 1878-80. The award is a tribute to Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan's legacy and his lifelong commitment to non-violent resistance and social justice.
A brief biography of Mir Bacha Khan, which especially accounts for his service in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, is included in the book by William Dalrymple (historian), "Return of a King: the Battle for Afghanistan" first published in 2013.[1]
Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan is sometimes confused with Mir Masjidi Khan, a leader in the First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842. Mir Masjidi Khan, who was from Kohistan district, Kapisa province, also on the Shamali Plain, opposed the installation of Shuja Shah Durrani (or 'Shah Shujah') as Emir of Afghanistan by the Government of British India. Mir Masjidi Khan was a religious figure and scholar of Persian literature. Mir Masjidi Khan led local Tajiks against the British army in the First Anglo-Afghan War. He was killed in 1841. Dalrymple also briefly covers Mir Masjidi Khan in "Return of a King".
Both Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan and Mir Masjidi Khan are two of the many celebrated Afghan resistance leaders from Shamali Plain who opposed the installation of Shuja Shah Durrani as Emir of Afghanistan.[2][3][4]
High State Medals
The High State Medal of Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan (Madal Dawalati Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan) recognizes the historical stature and role of Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan and is one of Afghanistan's highest awards. A further award, and one of the nation's highest civil awards for dedicated public service, is the High State Medal of Mir Masjidi Khan, in recognition of the historical stature and role of Mir Masjidi Khan.[5][6]
Awarding of the High State Medal of Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan
Established on 17 May 1982 by President Babrak Karmal, the High State Medal of Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan is awarded to both military and civilian recipients to recognize outstanding service in defensive sections of the country, the implementation of peace and security and also for other civilian and military tasks, including further economic and social development in Afghanistan. Notably, the Afghan President awarded the medal to senior NATO military commanders and senior officers. Civilian recipients of the High State Medal of Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan have included those who have made contributions in the areas of education, social work, human rights, public service and community development. It is not reported as to whether the awarding of the medal has continued under the Taliban regime.[7][8][9]