The Pashtun people are an ethno-linguistic group with populations primarily in eastern and southern Afghanistan and in the North-West Frontier Province, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan. The Pashtuns are typically characterized by their Pashto language, adherence to Pashtunwali and Islam. Pashtuns have survived a turbulent history over several centuries, during which they have rarely been politically united. Pashtun martial prowess has been renowned since Alexander the Great's invasion in the third century BCE. Pashtuns played a pivotal role in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, as many joined the Mujahideen. The Pashtuns gained world-wide attention with the rise and fall of the Taliban, since they were the main ethnic contingent in the movement. Modern Pashtuns have been prominent in the rebuilding of Afghanistan where they are the largest ethnic group and are an important community in Pakistan, where they are the second-largest ethnic group. The Pashtuns are the world's largest segmentary lineage tribal group. The total population of the group is estimated to be at least 40 million, but an accurate count remains elusive due to the nomadic nature of many tribes, the practice of secluding women and the lack of an official census in Afghanistan since 1979.
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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
193: Praetorian Guards assassinated Roman Emperor Pertinax and sold the throne in an auction to Didius Julianus. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertinax)
845: Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, captured Paris and held the city for a huge ransom. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnar_Lodbrok)
1862: American Civil War: An invasion of New Mexico Territory by the Confederate States Army was halted in the Battle of Glorieta Pass. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Glorieta_Pass)
1979: A nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania suffered a loss of coolant and a partial meltdown. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accident)
_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:
We cannot know whether we love God, although there may be strong reason for thinking so; but there can be no doubt about whether we love our neighbor or not. Be sure that, in proportion as you advance in fraternal charity, you are increasing your love of God... -- Teresa of Avila (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Teresa_of_Avila)