Ghilzai (Pashto: غرزی) are the third largest Pashtun tribal confederacy (after the Abdali and the Karlan) found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are also known historically as Ghilji, Ghalji, and possibly Gharzai. These Pashtun people are located mainly in southeastern Afghanistan, between Kandahar and Kabul, and extending eastwards towards the Suleiman Mountains into Pakistan. In Afghanistan per se, they are the second largest Pashtun tribal confederation after the Abdali/Durrani. Ghilzai are considered to be one of the most courageous and tough Pashtun tribe.

Contents

• 1 Etymology
• 2 History and origins
• 3 Location and economy
• 4 References
• 5 See also

Etymology

One theory states that the name of the Ghilzai is derived from Gharzai (غرزی), meaning "son of mountain" or "swordsman."

The folk story is that the ancestor of the Ghilzai was a prince who married with the daughter of a local ruler. The couple are identified as "either Shah Hussain, a Ghurid prince, and Bibi Mato, a granddaughter of Qays Abdar Rasheed, the putative ancestor of all Pashtuns, or Mokarram Shah; Hussain from Ghor, and the daughter of a Pashtun noble."