Khushal Khan Khattak, s Political Philosophy of Effective Administration of State

Muhammad Noaman Yousaf; Fariah Mehboob; Mahak Fatima Durrani; Naushaba Abid

Muhammad Noaman Yousaf Lecturer, Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages Rawalpindi
Fariah Mehboob Lecturer, Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages Rawalpindi
Mahak Fatima Durrani Lecturer Political science GGDC Pabbi, Visiting Lecturer International Relations University of Peshawar
Naushaba Abid Visiting Lecturer Bahria University Islamabad

Abstract

The administration of the state is the most predominant feature of any state. It is concerned greatly with the skills and qualities that a particular sovereign or leader possesses due to which he can administer a state. The success and failure of a state are directly related to its administration. Khushal Khan Khattak an Afghan poet and political philosopher of the 17^th Century lays a significant emphasis on the role of citizens in the state, successor to be appointed by a King, unity under a single command coupled with a well-planned and organized administrative structure of a state. The bravery of a leader, using sword coupled with wisdom, the importance of the use of a unified force, the importance of the careful and wise expenditure of wealth upon the leader, the kindness and forgiveness for the weak section of the society along with strict and exemplary punishment to be given to those that are guilty of severe misconduct and challenge the writ of the state, all of these are inevitable for a leader to govern a state efficiently. In the same way according to Khushal khan Khattak for good governance the leader must be generous and lion-hearted and must possess honor and integrity for which he will not even dare to fight. Khushal gives the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that achieved immense victories due to his outstanding leadership, statecraft, and politics and is the best and exemplary leader for all sovereigns to follow. The study is flexible in approach and design so qualitative methodology is employed. Further content and discourse analysis of the data is done in empirical way according to the need of research. The main argument of the study is that Khushal Khan Khattak, s philosophy of administration of state is meritorious, based on the right man for the right job and separation of powers criterion along with leaders’ personal charismatic abilities for state administration. The study is an excellent read for students and significant for researchers, policy makers and academia.

Key Points: Successor, Governance, Maladministration, Administrative structure, Patronage, Delegation