Hotaki Dynasty

The Hotak Empire was an Afghan monarchy founded by Ghilji Pashtuns in 1709. Established by Mirwais Hotak, who led a rebellion against the Safavid empire in Loy Kandahar, it briefly ruled parts of Iran and Afghanistan during the 1720s. Mirwais was succeeded by his brother Abdul Aziz, and then by his nephew Mahmud, who overthrew the Safavid Shah. Mahmud was followed by his cousin Ashraf, who was defeated by Nader-Qoli Beg in 1729, limiting Hotak rule to southern Afghanistan. The dynasty dissolved in 1738 when Nader Shah defeated Hussain Hotak after the siege of Kandahar.