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| The term '''Pashtun''' describes a group of people living in ] and ]. It is also the name of their language. Pashtuns form about 30% of ]'s population and 45% of ]. | The term '''Pashtun''' describes a group of people living in ] and along the eastern border of ]. It is also the name of their language. Pashtuns form about 30% of ]'s population and 45% of ]. | ||
| During the ] the Pashtuns were called "Pathans" by the British. The word '''Afghan''' also originally means Pashtun, this use of the word remains in many parts of ]. The 19th century partition of ] by the British between ] (now Pakistan) and Afghanistan remains a sore point to this day. | During the ] the Pashtuns were called "Pathans" by the British. The word '''Afghan''' also originally means Pashtun, this use of the word remains in many parts of ]. The 19th century partition of ] by the British between ] (now Pakistan) and Afghanistan remains a sore point to this day. | ||
| The Pashtun people are predominantly ] ] and formed the backbone of the ] government in ]. | |||
Revision as of 17:16, 23 January 2003
The term Pashtun describes a group of people living in Pakistan and along the eastern border of Afghanistan. It is also the name of their language. Pashtuns form about 30% of Pakistan's population and 45% of Afghanistan.
During the British Raj the Pashtuns were called "Pathans" by the British. The word Afghan also originally means Pashtun, this use of the word remains in many parts of Afghanistan. The 19th century partition of Pashtunistan by the British between India (now Pakistan) and Afghanistan remains a sore point to this day.
The Pashtun people are predominantly Sunni Muslim and formed the backbone of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.