Amar Khan Shikak
Amar Khan Sharifi | |
|---|---|
Amar Khan Shikak, 1929 | |
| Native name | عهمهر خان شەریفی |
| Birth name | Amar Mohammad Sharif Sharifi |
| Nickname(s) | The grand old man of Kurdistan by Kermit Roosevelt |
| Born | 1873 Zindasht, West Azerbaijan, Iran |
| Died | 1958[1] Zindasht, West Azerbaijan, Iran |
| Allegiance | Republic of Mahabad |
| Rank | Marshal[2] |
| Battles / wars | |
| 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]
Career
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]
Military role
Amar Khan was known for his military expertise and strategic skill.[11] His forces participated in multiple military operations under the Mahabad government. As the regime approached collapse, he withdrew his support and returned to his home in Zindasht.[2][12]
See also
References
- ^ Qadri 2021, p. 603.
- ^ a b c Jwaideh 2006, p. 256.
- ^ Qadri 2021, p. 22.
- ^ Mostofi, Armand; مستوفی, آرمان (2021-08-26). حکم می کنم [I Command] (in Persian). Ketab. ISBN 978-1-59584-757-7.
- ^ a b Qadri 2021, p. 24.
- ^ Manafy 2005, p. 58.
- ^ Qadri 2021, p. 23.
- ^ Manafy 2005, p. 47.
- ^ Jwaideh 2006, p. 257.
- ^ Qadri 2021, p. 606.
- ^ Vali, Abbas (2014-04-11). Kurds and the State in Iran: The Making of Kurdish Identity. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85772-033-7.
- ^ Qadri 2021, pp. 432–449.
Sources
- Manafy, A. (2005). The Kurdish political struggles in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. Internet Archive. University Press of America. ISBN 978-0-7618-3003-0.
- Jwaideh, Wadie (2006-06-19). The Kurdish National Movement: Its Origins and Development. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 978-0-8156-3093-7.
- Qadri, Muhammed S. (2021). Emer Xanî Şikak: Le Serhelldanî Simkowe ta Komarî Kurdistan [Amar Khan Shikak: from the rise of Simko to the Kurdistan Republic] (PDF) (in Kurdish). Tehran, Iran: Kurdish Academy.