General Mohammad Ayub Khan is widely remembered as Pakistan’s first native Commander-in-Chief of the Army and its second President. Yet, a recurring confusion links him with a different historical figure — Ayub Khan, the Hero of the Battle of Maiwand. While both share the same name and military prominence, they were entirely separate individuals from different eras and nations. This blog post seeks to clarify the facts, explore why this confusion exists, and shed light on the real legacy of General Ayub Khan of Pakistan.
Understanding the Confusion
The phrase “Hero of the Battle of Maiwand” refers to Ayub Khan of Afghanistan, not the Pakistani military leader. The Battle of Maiwand took place on 27 July 1880 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, where Afghan forces led by Prince Ayub Khan defeated the British Indian Army. His leadership made him a national hero in Afghanistan and a symbol of resistance against colonial powers.
On the other hand, General Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan was born in 1907, nearly three decades after the Maiwand battle. He was a British Indian Army officer during World War II and later became the first native Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army in 1951, and President of Pakistan from 1958 to 1969.
Who Was Ayub Khan of Pakistan?
Early Life and Education
- Born in 1907 in Rehana, Haripur (then part of British India).
- Educated at Aligarh Muslim University.
- Trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, UK.
- Fluent in English, Urdu, Pashto, and Hindko.
Military Career
- Commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1928.
- Fought in World War II in the Burma campaign.
- Joined the newly formed Pakistan Army in 1947 after Partition.
- Became the first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief in 1951, surpassing several senior generals.
Political Career
- Served as Defence and Home Minister under President Iskandar Mirza.
- Seized power in 1958 through Pakistan’s first military coup.
- Ruled Pakistan until 1969, overseeing significant economic and infrastructure development.
Achievements and Legacy
Economic Development
Ayub Khan’s presidency is often referred to as the “Decade of Development” due to:
- Rapid industrialization.
- Construction of major infrastructure projects like dams, hydroelectric plants, and irrigation systems.
- Privatization and liberal economic policies.
- A significant rise in foreign aid and investment, especially from the West.
Foreign Policy and Military Engagement
- Aligned closely with the United States during the Cold War.
- Gave the U.S. access to Pakistani airbases, notably near Peshawar.
- Strengthened ties with China, balancing regional diplomacy.
- Launched Operation Gibraltar against India, leading to the 1965 Indo-Pak war, which ended in a stalemate and the Tashkent Agreement.
Controversies
- Initiated the military’s direct interference in civilian politics.
- Criticized for economic disparity, favoring industrialists and the elite.
- His rule saw increasing public unrest, culminating in his resignation in 1969.
The Real “Hero of Maiwand” – Afghan Prince Ayub Khan
To clarify once again, the true “Hero of Maiwand” was Ayub Khan, son of Afghan Amir Sher Ali Khan. His victory against the British in 1880 was a major morale booster for the Afghan resistance during the colonial era. Unlike the Pakistani General Ayub Khan, this Ayub Khan was an Afghan nationalist figure, with no political or military link to modern Pakistan.
Why the Confusion Persists
Several reasons contribute to this historical mix-up:
- Same name: Both individuals share the name “Ayub Khan”.
- Military background: Each held high-ranking military positions.
- Lack of public awareness: Misattribution is often perpetuated through informal online content, oral history, or fictionalized accounts.
- Myth vs. History: In popular culture, especially in regions with overlapping heritage like Pakistan and Afghanistan, stories often merge or get inaccurately passed down.
Conclusion
While General Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan played a significant role in shaping the country’s military and political history, he was not the Hero of the Battle of Maiwand. That title rightly belongs to Prince Ayub Khan of Afghanistan, a figure remembered for defeating British forces in 1880. General Ayub Khan of Pakistan, meanwhile, leaves behind a mixed legacy—marked by impressive development and lasting political consequences.