malalai khan

Though my name might 
Mean grief stricken,
I am proud to be named 
After Malalai of Maiwand. 

A heroine who fought
Side by side with men,
And won a victory that will always 
Be remembered again and again. 

When all hope was gone
To win the Anglo Afghan war,
You stood out with firm faith
And encouraged them in a roar,

“Young love! If you do not fall 
 in the battle of Maiwand,
 By God, someone is saving you 
 as a symbol of shame!”

Strengthened, heartened 
By the words of a girl,
Who made a mark
On the history of the world.

When the flag bearer was killed,
You took off your veil, 
And sang a song
As you tied it to the pole,

"With a drop of my sweetheart's blood
 Shed in defense of the Motherland,
 Will I put a beauty spot on my forehead,
 Such as would put to shame the rose in the garden!"

Bravely you resisted
Annai Malalai!
As you breathed new life
From your beloved landai!

But your song
Was a last farewell,
For you yourself were struck,
To us, a death bell.

Though we won,
Your courage was never forgotten,
Your grave is for us a sacred shrine!
In the words of Ajmal Khattak:

"My Malalai is living, and they praise others' beauty.
 Though they have eyes, they are blind."

Despite the many people
Who call you imaginary,
For me and every true Pashtun,
You are a miracle, a memory.

America had Molly Pitcher,
India had Lakshmibai,
France had Joan of Arc,
But we had you, Malalai.

I wrote this poem in the honor of the legendary heroine of Afghanistan, Malalai of Maiwand, an icon of feminism and patriotism, who rallied the Afghan army against the invading British in the Anglo-Afghan War in 1880.

Credits for the art—featured image—go to Syed Muhammad Hussainy from Art Station.

Click here to find out more about the famous warrioress whose voice still echoes in women today.