Bridging the Gaps
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Mountstuart Elphinstone: an Anthropologist Before Anthropology
Mountstuart Elphinstone Mountstuart Elphinstone in South Asia: Pioneer of British Colonial Rule Shah Mahmoud Hanifi Print publication date: 2019 Print ISBN-13: 9780190914400 Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: September 2019 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190914400.001.0001 Mountstuart Elphinstone An Anthropologist Before Anthropology M. Jamil Hanifi DOI:10.1093/oso/9780190914400.003.0003 Abstract and Keywords During 1809, Mountstuart Elphinstone and his team of researchers visited the Persianate "Kingdom of Caubul" in Peshawar in order to sign a defense treaty with the ruler of the kingdom, Shah Shuja, and to collect information for use by the British colonial government of India. During his four-month stay in Peshawar, and subsequent two years research in Poona, India, Elphinstone collected a vast amount of ethnographic information from his Persian-speaking informants, as well as historical texts about the ethnology of Afghanistan. Some of this information provided the material for his 1815 (1819, 1839, 1842) encyclopaedic "An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul" (AKC), which became the ethnographic bible for Euro-American writings about Afghanistan. Elphinstone's competence in Farsi, his subscription to the ideology of Scottish Enlightenment, the collaborative methodology of his ethnographic research, and the integrity of the ethnographic texts in his AKC, qualify him as a pioneer anthropologist—a century prior to the birth of the discipline of anthropology in Europe. Virtually all Euro-American academic and political writings about Afghanistan during the last two-hundred years are informed and influenced by Elphinstone's AKC. This essay engages several aspects of the ethnological legacy of AKC. Keywords: Afghanistan, Collaborative Research, Ethnography, Ethnology, National Character For centuries the space marked ‘Afghanistan’ in academic, political, and popular discourse existed as a buffer between and in the periphery of the Persian and Persianate Moghol empires. -
Mysticism of Rahman Baba and Its Relevance to Our Education Hanif Ullah Khan
Mysticism of Rahman Baba and its Relevance to Our Education Hanif Ullah Khan Abstract Man is forgetful by nature. He is inclined towards injustice and ignorance and is in need of permanent guidance, that is, the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). The poetry of Rahman Baba is inspired by these sources (i.e. Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet) He invites man to study nature, which is lacking in our educational curriculum. He considers life in this world as an investment for the next world and is of the opinion that only that person who is capable of knowing his own self can use the opportunities of this world correctly. He invites man to go back to his inner self and know his spiritual entity / being. Keywords: Rahman Baba, Mysticism, God, Education, Introduction Islam has produced great scholars, philosophers and mystics, who were / are the custodians and promoters of the Islamic culture and its values in the world. The teachings of all these legends are capable of pulling our own and our succeeding generations from the inferiority complexes and put them on the path to God. Rahman Baba is one amongst them. I have studied this mystic poet of Pashto literature and can say that his poetry is an introduction to the fundamentals of human nature. He addresses man irrespective of his area of origin. He makes an irresistible appeal to all, irrespective of their caste, colour and creed. His ideas are ever fresh and new and are a guiding light for seekers of the truth. -
Guía Mundial De Oración (GMO). Noviembre 2014 Titulares: Los
Guía Mundial de Oración (GMO). Noviembre 2014 Titulares: Los inconquistables Pashtun! • 1-3 De un ciego que llevó a los Pashtunes Fuera de la Oscuridad • 5 Sobre todo Hospitalidad! • 8 Estilo de Resolución de Conflictos Pashtun • 23 Personas Mohmund: Poetas que alaban a Dios • 24 Estaría de acuerdo con los talibanes sobre esto! Queridos Amigos de oración, Yo soy un inglés, irlandés, y de descendencia sueca. Hace mil ochocientos años, mis antepasados irlandeses eran cazadores de cabezas que bebían la sangre de los cráneos de sus víctimas. Hace mil años mis antepasados vikingos eran guerreros que eran tan crueles cuando allanaban y destruían los pueblos desprotegidos, que hicieron la Edad Media mucho más oscura. Eventualmente la luz del evangelio hizo que muchos grupos de personas se convirtieran a Cristo, el único que es la Luz del Mundo. Su cultura ha cambiado, y comenzaron a vivir más por las enseñanzas de Jesús y menos por los caminos del mundo. La historia humana nos enseña que sin Cristo la humanidad puede ser increíblemente cruel con otros. Este mes vamos a estar orando por los Pashtunes. Puede parecer que estamos juzgando estas tribus afganas y pakistaníes. Pero debemos recordar que sin la obra transformadora del Espíritu Santo, no seríamos diferentes de lo que ellos son. Los Pashtunes tienen un código cultural de honor llamado Pashtunwali, lo que pone un cierto equilibrio de moderación en su conducta, pero también los estimula a mayores actos de violencia y venganza. Por esta razón, no sólo vamos a orar por tribus Pashtunes específicas, sino también por aspectos del código de honor Pashtunwali y otras dinámicas culturales que pueden mantener a los Pashtunes haciendo lo que Dios quiere que hagan. -
Pakhtun Identity Versus Militancy in Khyber
Global Regional Review (GRR) URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/grr.2016(I-I).01 Pakhtun Identity versus Militancy in Vol. I, No. I (2016) | Page: 1 ‒ 23 p- ISSN: 2616-955X Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA: e-ISSN: 2663-7030 Exploring the Gap between Culture of L-ISSN: 2616-955X Peace and Militancy DOI: 10.31703/grr.2016(I-I).01 Hikmat Shah Afridi* Manzoor Khan Afridi† Syed Umair Jalal‡ Abstract The Pakhtun culture had been flourishing between 484 - 425 BC, in the era of Herodotus and Alexander the Great. Herodotus, the Greek historian, for the first time, used the word Pactyans, for people who were living in parts of Persian Satrapy, Arachosia between 1000 - 1 BC. The hymns’ collection from an ancient Indian Sanskrit Ved used the word Pakthas for a tribe, who were inhabitants of eastern parts of Afghanistan. Presently, the terms Afghan and Pakhtun were synonyms till the Durand Line divided Afghanistan and Pakhtuns living in Pakistan. For these people the code of conduct remained Pakhtunwali; it is the pre-Islamic way of life and honour code based upon peace and tranquillity. It presents an ethnic self-portrait which defines the Pakhtuns as an ethnic group having not only a distinct culture, history and language but also a behaviour. Key Words: Pakhtun, Militancy, Culture, Pakhtunwali, Identity Introduction Pakhtuns are trusted to act honourably, therefore Pakhtunwali qualifies as honour code “Doing Pashto” that signifies their deep love for the societal solidarity. Wrong doings are effectively checked through their inner voices, “Am I not a Pakhtun?” In addition, the cultural platforms have been used for highlighting social evils and creating harmony in the society. -
'Pashtunistan': the Challenge to Pakistan and Afghanistan
Area: Security & Defence - ARI 37/2008 Date: 2/4/2008 ‘Pashtunistan’: The Challenge to Pakistan and Afghanistan Selig S. Harrison * Theme: The increasing co-operation between Pashtun nationalist and Islamist forces against Punjabi domination could lead to the break-up of Pakistan and Afghanistan and the emergence of a new national entity: an ‘Islamic Pashtunistan’. Summary: The alarming growth of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the Pashtun tribal region of north-western Pakistan and southern Afghanistan is usually attributed to the popularity of their messianic brand of Islam and to covert help from Pakistani intelligence agencies. But another, more ominous, reason also explains their success: their symbiotic relationship with a simmering Pashtun separatist movement that could lead to the unification of the estimated 41 million Pashtuns on both sides of the border, the break-up of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the emergence of a new national entity, an ‘Islamic Pashtunistan’. This ARI examines the Pashtun claim for an independent territory, the historical and political roots of the Pashtun identity, the implications for the NATO- or Pakistani-led military operations in the area, the increasing co-operation between Pashtun nationalist and Islamist forces against Punjabi domination and the reasons why the Pashtunistan movement, long dormant, is slowly coming to life. Analysis: The alarming growth of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the Pashtun tribal region of north-western Pakistan and southern Afghanistan is usually attributed to the popularity of their messianic brand of Islam and to covert help from Pakistani intelligence agencies. But another, more ominous reason also explains their success: their symbiotic relationship with a simmering Pashtun separatist movement that could lead to the unification of the estimated 41 million Pashtuns on both sides of the border, the break-up of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the emergence of a new national entity, ‘Pashtunistan,’ under radical Islamist leadership. -
Taliban Militancy: Replacing a Culture of Peace
Taliban Militancy: Replacing a culture of Peace Taliban Militancy: Replacing a culture of Peace * Shaheen Buneri Abstract Time and again Pashtun leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan has demanded for Pashtuns' unity, which however until now is just a dream. Violent incidents and terrorist attacks over the last one decade are the manifestation of an intolerant ideology. With the gradual radicalization and militarization of the society, festivals were washed out from practice and memory of the local communities were replaced with religious gatherings, training sessions and night vigils to instil a Jihadi spirit in the youth. Pashtun socio-cultural and political institutions and leadership is under continuous attack and voices of the people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA find little or no space in the mainstream Pakistani media. Hundreds of families are still displaced from their homes; women and children are suffering from acute psychological trauma. Introduction Pashtuns inhabit South Eastern Afghanistan and North Western Pakistan and make one of the largest tribal societies in the world. The Pashtun dominated region along the Pak-Afghan border is in the media limelight owing to terrorists’ activities and gross human rights violations. After the United States toppled Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 2001, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) became the prime destination for fleeing Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters and got immense * Shaheen Buneri is a journalist with RFE/RL Mashaal Radio in Prague. Currently he is working on his book on music censorship in the Pashtun dominated areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. 63 Tigah importance in the strategic debates around the world. -
Mysticism of Rahman Baba and Its Educational Implications
MYSTICISM OF RAHMAN BABA AND ITS EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS Presented to: Department of Social Sciences Qurtuba University Peshawar (Pakistan) In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education ____________________ By Hanifullah Khan Ph.D Education, Research Scholar 2009 _____________________________________ Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Peshawar NWFP. (Pakistan) ii CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL DOCTORAL DISSERTATION This is to certify that the Doctoral Dissertation of Mr. Hanifullah Khan Entitled Mysticism of Rahman Baba and Its Educational Implications Has been examined and approved for the requirement of Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education (Supervisor and Dean of Social Sciences) Signature: ---------------------- Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem (Co – Supervisor) Signature: ---------------------- Prof. Dr. Parvez Mahjoor Examiners 1. Prof. Dr. Saeed Anwar Signature: --------------- Chairman, Education Department, Hazara University 2. Name: ---------------------------------- Signature:---------------- External Examiner, (Foreign Based) 3. Name: ---------------------------------- Signature:---------------- External Examiner, (Foreign Based) iii ABSTRACT Islam has produced great scholars, philosophers and mystics, who were / are the custodians and promoters of the Islamic culture and its values in the world. The teachings of all these legends are capable of pulling our own and our succeeding generations from the inferiority complexes and put them on the path to God. Rahman Baba is one amongst them and the reason for my selection of the Mysticism of Rahman Baba and Its Educational Implications for my Ph. D research study is that I have studied this mystic poet of Pashto literature and can say that his poetry is an introduction to the fundamentals of human nature. He addresses to man irrespective of his origin. He makes an irresistible appeal to all, irrespective of their caste, colour and creed. -
Report on International Religious Freedom 2009: Pakistan
Pakistan Page 1 of 18 Pakistan BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR International Religious Freedom Report 2009 October 26, 2009 The country is an Islamic republic. Islam is the state religion, and the Constitution requires that laws be consistent with Islam. The Constitution states that "subject to law, public order, and morality, every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion;" in practice the Government imposes limits on freedom of religion. Freedom of speech is constitutionally, "subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam." The Government took some steps to improve its treatment of religious minorities during the reporting period. The democratically elected Government appointed a Roman Catholic as Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs and upgraded his position to a cabinet minister. The Government allocated a 5 percent quota for religious minorities in all federal jobs, and directed provincial governments to implement the same at the provincial level. The Government also decided to celebrate Minorities' Day on August 11 every year nationwide. Despite these steps, serious problems remained. Law enforcement personnel abused religious minorities in custody. Security forces and other government agencies did not adequately prevent or address societal abuse against minorities. Discriminatory legislation and the Government's failure to take action against societal forces hostile to those who practice a different religious belief fostered religious intolerance, acts of violence, and intimidation against religious minorities. Specific laws that discriminate against religious minorities include anti-Ahmadi and blasphemy laws that provide the death penalty for defiling Islam or its prophets. -
Translation of the Death List As Given by Late Afghan Minister of State Security Ghulam Faruq Yaqoubi to Lord Bethell in 1989
Translation of the death list as given by late Afghan Minister of State Security Ghulam Faruq Yaqoubi to Lord Bethell in 1989. The list concerns prisonners of 1357 and 1358 (1978-1979). For further details we refer to the copy of the original list as published on the website. Additional (handwritten) remarks in Dari on the list have not all been translated. Though the list was translated with greatest accuracy, translation errors might exist. No.Ch Name Fathers Name Profession Place Accused Of 1 Gholam Mohammad Abdul Ghafur 2nd Luitenant Of Police Karabagh Neg. Propaganda 2 Shirullah Sultan Mohammad Student Engineering Nerkh-Maidan Enemy Of Rev. 3 Sayed Mohammad Isa Sayed Mohammad Anwar Mullah Baghlan Khomeini 4 Sefatullah Abdul Halim Student Islam Wardak Ikhwani 5 Shujaudin Burhanudin Pupil 11th Grade Panjsher Shola 6 Mohammad Akbar Mohabat Khan Luitenant-Colonel Kohestan Ikhwani 7 Rahmatullah Qurban Shah Police Captain Khanabad Ikhwani 8 Mohammad Azam Mohammad Akram Head Of Archive Dpt Justice Nejrab Ikhwani 9 Assadullah Faludin Unemployed From Iran Khomeini 10 Sayed Ali Reza Sayed Ali Asghar Head Of Income Dpt Of Trade Chardehi Khomeini 11 Jamaludin Amanudin Landowner Badakhshan Ikhwani 12 Khan Wasir Kalan Wasir Civil Servant Teachers Education Panjsher Khomeini 13 Gholam Reza Qurban Ali Head Of Allhjar Transport. Jamal-Mina Khomeini 14 Sayed Allah Mohammad Ajan Civil Servant Carthographical Off. Sorubi Anti-Revolution 15 Abdul Karim Haji Qurban Merchant Farjab Ikhwani 16 Mohammad Qassem Nt.1 Mohammad Salem Teacher Logar Antirevol. -
Taliban Losing Their 'War on Music'
Music Freedom Report no. 2: Pakistan • 3 March 2012 Bomb blast in Peshawar in September 2011, exiled Haroon Bacha, Nabila from Ningora in Swat, Naghma Pakistan: Taliban losing their ‘war on music’ Pakistan’s internal war between unarmed music lovers and religious militants who use deadly weapons and bombs to stop all music activity has entered a new phase in 2012, reports Javed Aziz Khan. The religious music ban based on terror continues, but it is increasingly isolated to tribal areas in the north of the country. The rest of the country’s 170 million people have gained new confidence in their right to listen to the music of their own cultures as well as of the West. By Javed Aziz Khan At a time when religious militants in South Waziristan were busy torching tape recorders, computers and cellular phones for ‘spreading obscenity’ because they were being used for listening to music, an audience of over 600 people at the Nishtar Hall in the provincial capital Peshawar were clapping for every verse and poem of the legendary Pashto poet, Rahman Baba, sung by Fayaz Kheshgi during a play on the life of the Sufi poet to portray to the world the soft image of Pashtuns. These people who live in the north of Pakistan, close to the border of Afghanistan, are historically known as ‘ethnic Afghans’, and form well over two- thirds of the population in the area. These contrasting incidents show Pakistan in a nutshell today. On one hand, the militants managed to destroy over 500 computers, cellular phones and other electronic gadgets in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan tribal agency for spreading music in the month of December 2011, and again, in another campaign in mid-January 2012, they destroyed even more. -
Origins of the Pashto Language and Phases of Its Literary Evolution
Origins of the Pashto Language and Phases of its Literary Evolution María Isabel Maldonado García Bakht Munir ABSTRACT: The cultural and historical richness of the Pashto language as well as its significance within the context of other languages has been acknowledged across the world. This article explores the contradictions of various historians and philologists in connection with the origin of Pashtos as a main language of South Asia, with special reference to Semitic and Aryan theories, the process of development of its literature, the dialects of the language and its place within the context of the South Asian linguistic reality. This work also explores the evolution of Pashto literature and critically investigates a recently conducted DNA study that negates Pakhtoon’s genetic association with Arabs. Keywords: Origin of Pashto, dialectology, Pashto literature. Journal of Research (Humanities) 146 1. Introduction The language of multilingual Afghanistan is Pashto, which is not only both the national and official language of the country along with Dari but also a regional language of Pakistan, spoken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The importance of the language became obvious at the time of the Afghanistan war. In 2012, according to Ethnologue there were 25, 500 speakers of this language in Afghanistan. Scholars of history and philology hold contradicting opinions concerning the origin of the language. This developed into two different sets of theories; the Aryan and the Semitic. In regards to the dialects of Pashto, their formation is based on various socio-cultural and economic factors, relations among the different communities and other linguistic and historical dynamics which have been fundamental during the formation stage of Pashto dialects. -
Amir’S Home, a City Celebrated in the History of the Islamic Arts and in the 15Th Century A.D
DOCUMENTARYDOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONALEDUCATIONAL RESOURCESRESOURCES DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Film Guide f o r Am i r An Afghan Refugee Musician’s Life in Peshawar, Pakistan In the background of the film lies the unseen spectre of Herat, Introduction Amir’s home, a city celebrated in the history of the Islamic arts and in the 15th century A.D. the cultural centre of the Persian speaking The purpose of these notes is to provide additional contextual world (for accounts of the city see Wolfe 1966; English 1973; Dou- information about the situation of Afghan refugee musicians in bleday 1988; and Baily 1988a). In the Afghan context Herat was a Peshawar in 1985, to give an account of the process by which Amir highly musical city, second only to Kabul in Afghan art and popular was made, and to comment from a variety of perspectives on certain music (vocal and instrumental), as well as supporting a number of scenes and shots in the film. Experiences with showing the film to other more local traditions. During my fieldwork in the 1970s I many varied audiences have raised a number of questions, and the carried out extensive filming in Super 8 and eventually edited the present notes are in part written with these queries in mind. footage into three videos. 2 This was my introduction to ethno- graphic film making. When in 1985 I had the opportunity, and the Amir was made in my first year as a Leverhulme Film Training budget, to make a feature length 16mm documentary film about Fellow at the National Film and Television School.