Gujarati Pathans are a group of Pashtuns, who are settled in the region of Gujarat in western India. They now form a distinct community of Gujarati and Urdu/Hindi speaking Muslims. They mainly speak Urdu/Hindi with many Pashto loanwords, but most of them have been Indianized so some may have Gujarati as their first language as well, few elders in the community still speak Pashto. Common tribes include Turk pathan, Babi or Babai (Pashtun tribe), Niazi, Khan, Bangash, Durrani, and Yousafzai.[1][full citation needed]
 Junagadh Nawabs and state officials, 19th century | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 254,000[better source needed] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India (Gujarat), Pakistan (Sindh) | |
| Languages | |
| Gujarati • Pashto • Hindustani • English | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pashtuns • Rohilla • Pathans of Uttar Pradesh • Pathans of Rajasthan • Pathan of Bihar • Pathans of Punjab |
History and origin
editThe Pathans arrived in Gujarat during the Middle Ages onwards, as soldiers in the armies of the various Hindu and Muslim rulers of the region. Historical evidence suggests that the earliest settlement of the Pashtuns was during the rule of Mohammad Tughlak in the 14th century, when military colonies were established.[2][full citation needed]
Sub-Divisions
editThe Pashtuns of Gujarat include three distinct endogamous communities, the Pathan Khanzada, the Babi or Babai (Pashtun tribe) and the Turk pathan they are mostly in the Junagadh, keshod, mangrol, nandarkhi[citation needed]
Babi Pathans
editThe Babi or Babai (Pashtun tribe) arrived in Gujarat during the rule of Mughal Empire. After the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Babi were involved in a struggle with the Maratha Gaekwads for the control of Gujarat. While the Maratha were successful in establishing overall control over Gujarat, the Babi remained masters of the princely states of Junagadh, Radhanpur, Balasinor, Bantva Manavadar etc.[2][full citation needed]
Sama Pathans of Borsad town
editThe Sama are Yousafzai Pathans, who trace their ancestry to the village of Sama or Samra, near the city of Peshawar. They came as soldiers in the armies of the Nawabs of Khambhat. From here, they went to Borsad to afford protection to the local Muslims who were being harassed by the Marathas. The Pashtuns were led by a Musa Khan, who was successful in expelling the Marathas. In gratitude, the local Malik caste chief gave his daughter in marriage, and the village of Raja Mohalla, Gujarat. Musa Khan's descendants are now known as the Sama Pathans. They are a localized community, only found in Borsad and villages around the town. The community is also in the process of urbanization, with many migrating to Ahmedabad. They are strictly endogamous, practicing both parallel and cross-cousin marriages. On rare occasions, marriages do take place with the Babi Pathans and or with the Malik communities.[2][full citation needed]
Notable People
edit- Ajaz Khan, Indian Actor and director
- Parveen Babi, Indian Actress and model
- Irfan Pathan, Indian former cricketer turned analyst.
- Yusuf Pathan, Brother of Irfan Pathan and former Indian cricketer.