Artistic community scene of Pashtun women and men performing Attan

A living archive of a people

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The Pashtuns

Everything about the Pashtuns, gathered into one evolving digital archive—from their origins, language and empires to culture, poetry, genetics, religious history, resistance, clothing, music and achievements.

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The digital archive

Everything has its place.

We have organized material related to the Pashtuns under clear subjects. Select any title to enter its dedicated section. This archive is designed to grow continuously as new articles, photographs, sources and discoveries are added.

Who Are the Pashtuns?

Identity, geography, population and the people behind one of South-Central Asia’s great historical communities.

The Pashto Language

The history, structure, dialects, literature and living tradition of Pashto.

The Origin of Pashtuns

Historical research, archaeology, population history and genetics.

Kingdoms & Empires

Dynasties, rulers, campaigns and states shaped by Pashtun political power.

Culture

Pashtunwali, hospitality, Attan, music, clothing, poetry and everyday life.

Religious History

Beliefs, Islam, scholars and spiritual traditions across Pashtun regions.

Resistance

Wars, uprisings and resistance movements against regional and global powers.

Clothing & Music

Traditional dress, textiles, instruments, songs, dance and artistic expression.

Chronicles of power

Kingdoms & Empires

Enter an evolving collection of dynasties, kingdoms, empires and modern states connected to the history of Afghanistan and the Pashtun world. Open any title to explore the posts gathered beneath it.

01

Parthian Empire

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02

Kushan Empire

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03

Hephthalite Empire

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04

Zunbil Kingdom

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05

Kabul Shahi Kingdom

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06

Saffarid Dynasty

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07

Tahirid Dynasty

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08

Barmakids

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09

Ghaznavids (Turco-Afghan)

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10

Ghurid Empire

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11

Khilji Empire

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12

Bahmanid Dynasty

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13

Sayyid Dynasty

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14

Langah Dynasty

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15

Lodhi Dynasty

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16

Sur Empire

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17

Karrani Dynasty

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18

Rohillas in India

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19

Hotaki Empire

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20

Durrani Empire

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21

Barakzai Dynasty

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22

Communist Republic of Afghanistan

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23

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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24

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

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Identity • Geography • People

Who Are the Pashtuns?

Pashtuns are an Eastern Iranian people whose traditional homeland stretches across southern and eastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. Their native language is Pashto, which belongs to the Eastern Iranian branch of the Iranian language family.

Today, Pashtuns live throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan, with major communities in Kandahar, Jalalabad, Kabul, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi. Pashtun communities are also found in Iran, India, the Gulf states, Europe, North America and Australia. The worldwide population is commonly estimated at approximately 60–70 million; exact figures remain estimates because Afghanistan has not conducted a recent comprehensive ethnic census.

Read the references ↓

Map showing the main Pashto-speaking areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan

Traditional homeland

60–70 million

Estimated worldwide Pashtun population

Living heritage

Culture, Music & Social Life

Pashtun culture is shaped by the Pashto language, Islam, Pashtunwali, poetry, music, traditional clothing and a powerful tradition of hospitality. Pashtunwali is the traditional social code of Pashtun society, emphasizing honour, courage, self-respect, independence, justice and hospitality.

Artistic scene of Pashtun women performing Attan

Women of Attan

I

Tribes, Jirga & Hujra

Traditionally, Pashtun society has been organized through tribes, subtribes, clans and extended families. Important community matters have often been discussed through a jirga—a council of respected elders that makes decisions and helps resolve disputes. The hujra, a traditional community guesthouse, has also served as a place where guests are welcomed and community members gather.

Artistic scene of Pashtun men performing Attan

Men of Attan

II

Music & Attan

Music and poetry hold an important place in Pashtun cultural life. Traditional performances use instruments such as the rubab, dhol, tabla and toola. Attan is the most famous Pashtun dance: dancers form a circle while the drumbeat begins slowly and gradually becomes faster and more energetic. Different tribes and regions preserve their own forms, including Khattak, Wazir, Mehsud, Kochi, Zadran, Zazai, Wardaki and Mangal styles.

Sources & image credit

References

Sources used for the introductory sections of this living archive.

01
Pashtuns ↗
Introduction, geographic distribution, population and general culture.
02
Pashtun culture ↗
Pashtunwali, tribal society, jirga, hujra and Attan.
03
Attan ↗
Dance, music, performance and regional styles.
04
Map of Pashto-speaking areas ↗
Map by Uanfala, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.