Malalai of Maiwand
Malala of Maiwand | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1861 Khig, Kandahar, Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Died | July 27, 1880 (aged 18–19) |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Other names | Malala, Anna, Malalai Anna |
| Known for | Battle of Maiwand |
Malalai of Maiwand (Pashto: د ميوند ملالۍ [malɑˈləi]), also known as Malala (Pashto: ملاله), or Malalai Anna (Pashto: ملالۍ انا, meaning Malalai the "Grandmother") is a national folk hero of Afghanistan who rallied Afghan fighters during the Battle of Maiwand which was part of the Second Anglo-Afghan War. She fought alongside Ayub Khan and was responsible for the Afghan victory at the Battle of Maiwand on 27 July 1880. She is also known as "The Afghan Jeanne d'Arc" or as "The Afghan Molly Pitcher" to the Western world. There are many schools, hospitals, and other institutions named after her in Afghanistan. Her story is told in Afghan school text books.