Myths or Reality: Pashtun Indigenous Communities Resistance to State Authority in Colonial and Post-Colonial Era

Abstract

Pashtun resistance to state authority has been interpreted in light of stereotypical colonial theories in colonial and post-colonial periods. Pashtuns were presented as marshals and wild people who resisted every kind of state authority in the colonial era.  Perceptions about Pashtun’s resistance to state authority based on politically motivated stereotypes resonate in the British colonial regime. This study focuses on the stereotypes and myths associated with Pashtun's resistance to state authority in the colonial period and its effect on them in post-colonial periods. The British colonial regime faced resistance in the Pashtun indigenous society (now known as emerged districts).  The findings of this study reveal that the Pashtun resistance to state authority is not part of their culture. Pashtun were against the exploitative policies of the British and it was genuine resistance. It reveals that their resistance was labelled as a normative part of their culture to legitimize the oppressive policies in this region. Moreover, in the post-colonial period, Pakistan also applied the same tactics and labelled genuine resistance as part of their culture. Stereotypes associated with Pashtun's resistance to the state should be deconstructed.  

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