Mehr Dil Khan

Mehr Dil Khan Barakzai, (1796 – 16 March 1855) also known by his pen name as Mashriqi, was the governor of the Northern Frontier bordering the Ghilji tribes' domains of the Hotak and Tokhi tribes during the reigns of Pur Dil Khan and Kohan Dil Khan until his death in 1855.

Early life Mehr Dil was born in Kandahar into a Barakzai family, to his father Payandah Khan and to an Idu Khel Hotak lady, alongside his full-brothers, also known as the 'Dil Brothers': Sher Dil Khan, Pur Dil Khan, Rahim Dil Khan and Rahim Dil Khan.

Rise to power Following the overthrow of Shuja Shah Durrani in 1809, Mehr Dil became the foreign minister of the Durrani Empire during the restored reign of Mahmud Shah Durrani, while his brothers were appointed as the governors of different major cities respectively. The Barakzais generally supported Mahmud Shah in his campaigns, until his son Kamran Mirza Durrani murdered Fateh Khan Barakzai out of jealousy. This contributed to Mahmud Shah's downfall a month later, as the Barakzais united and overthrew and replaced him with Ali Shah Durrani.

The Dil Brothers established their own domain in Kandahar, and later expanded. Mehr Dil was appointed as the governor of the Northern Frontier, following government improvements.