Book Unveiling - History of the Pathans
PESHAWAR: The first volume of a comprehensiveand authentic book on the history of Pathans is ready forunveiling, covering its history from pre-historic period that also includes cultural heritage, traditions, and history of Pathan land etc.
To many a people, the name "Pathan" suggest a native of Afghanistan or that of the North West Frontier of Pakistan. To most, the race itself, with its extremely complicated ramification into various tribes and clans, is a mystery. This study is an attempt to unravel that mystery, writes author of the Book Brigadier(R) Haroon Rashid SI(M) a son of Kohat soil.
The book titled "History of the Pathans" Vol_1 The Sarabani Pathans has a total of ten volumes.The 475 pages book has 37 chapters, starting from history of the pathan land and ended up at the Urmors and Bareches.
The first volume of the book dealt with Sarabani Pathanswhich has been categorised into: process of ethnogensis, tribalmovements, the Tarins, the Durranis, the Sheranis, the Miana tribe including the Lunis, the Khetrans, the Hasnis, the Nahars, the Gharshins, the Jafars and the Urmors.
The book also contained a number of rare photographs of Afghan Kings like Dost Muhammad Khan Barakzai, Akbar Khan, Habibullah Khan, Nadar Shah, Amir Muhammad Khan, Shah Shujaul Mulk, Amir Abdur Rehman, and Zahir Shah.
The author has traced back the history of Pathans from the pre_historic period. To know about the ingredients which make Pathans indomitable race, one has to go deep into their history, tradition and life style. This work is an endeavour in this context, with a view to compile a comprehensive and authentic history of this brave race, which so far, has been either dealt with summarily or in piecemeal.
Noted nuclear scientist Dr.A.Q.Khan who wrote foreword of the book stated that much has been written about the Pathans by native historians and foreign scholars and travellers, but the gigantic work of Brigadier(R) Haroon Rashid is a unique attempt and provides extensive and authentic information about numerous Pukhtun tribes, their language and their way of life.
He said, the chapter on the Pathans who distinguished themselves in far away lands of Hindustan makes a fascinating reading and proves the popular belief that whereas a Pukhtun in his native land is mired in petty rivalries and quarrels, he is a leader and a King in alien lands.
"I have no doubt that the ten volume history of formidable people of the subcontinent will be read with deep interest by historians, scholars, ethnographers and all those who have interest in their chequered past", Dr.A.Q.Khan wrote.
During the medieval period, the Afghan distinguished themselves in Ghaznavid and Ghoriate armies amd even during the times of succeeding dynasties, they were the most sought after mercenaries. From mercenaries they became rulers of India and introduced many reforms some of which are still in vogue in the subcontinent.
The Mughals wer very fond of their martial, administrative and literary qualities. It was during the period of emperor Jehangir, that in 1609 A.D. Naimatullah Lodi, a Pathan himself and one of the elite of the Royal Court, was appointed to compile a history of his race. Then in 839 with scanty knowledge of the Pathans psyche, the British Army invaded their land wit dire consequences.
Since then scores of English scholars and military men have been working on various aspects of Pathan history.
With the invasion of Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union, the Pathans as a race were introduced in the international forum, as an unforgiving race that could sacrifice everything including their lives for their liberty.
In the introduction chapter, the Pathan has been described as a hard, rugged man, as a warrior and a mystic, a rogue and a saint, foxy and innocent, chivalrous and ruthless. A Pathan is born free and wants to remain free. Love of freedom is a sentiment which is rooted in his psyche and culture. He has fought the Mughals, the Sikhs, the British and the Russians. Emperor Babar said, "It is the Pathan who deserves the title of Khan and not the Mughals".
Author Brig(R) Haroon Rashid has done extensive research work on the Pathan race. Born in Kohat in 1944, he received his bachelor of science degree from Gordon College Rawalpindi andbachelor of arts from university of Baluchistan. He has a number of research papers and articles to his credit, published in Army year book and reputed dailies.
The author dedicated the book to late Major General Muhammad Shoaib, founder of the idea. The price of the book is Rs.1300.
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