Pashtun Tribe

 

The Pashtuns, also known as Pashtun or Pakhtun, are an ethnic group that primarily inhabit Pakistan and Afghanistan. They are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, making up around 42% of the population, and are also a significant minority in Pakistan, making up around 15% of the population.

The origins of the Pashtuns can be traced back to ancient Eastern Iran and Central Asia. They are believed to have descended from the Pashtun tribes that migrated to the region around the 1st millennium BCE. Over time, the Pashtuns formed a number of powerful empires, including the Ghurid Empire in the 12th century and the Durrani Empire in the 18th century.

During the 19th century, the British Empire established control over much of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the Pashtuns becoming a key group in the resistance against British rule. In the 20th century, the Pashtuns played a major role in the independence movement against the British Raj and the rise of Pakistan.

In recent history, the Pashtuns have been affected by the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent civil war led to the displacement of millions of Pashtuns. The rise of the Taliban in the 1990s and their subsequent takeover of Afghanistan had a significant impact on the Pashtun population, as many were forced to flee to Pakistan or become internally displaced within Afghanistan. Despite the conflicts, Pashtun culture, customs and language has been preserved through generations