The Tajiks are the second most prominent ethnic group in Afghanistan after the Pashtuns. They make up the bulk of Afghanistan’s elite, with considerable accumulated wealth within the community. As a result of this wealth and levels of education, they wield a significant political influence within Afghanistan.
What is the race of Tajiks?
Tajiks (Persian: تاجيک، تاجک, Tājīk, Tājek; Tajik: Тоҷик) are a Persian-speaking Iranian ethnic group native to Central Asia, living primarily in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Tajiks are the largest ethnicity in Tajikistan, and the second-largest in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
What is the difference between Pashtun and pakhtun?
Pashtun, also spelled Pushtun or Pakhtun, Hindustani Pathan, Persian Afghan, ethnolinguistic group residing primarily in the region that lies between the Hindu Kush in northeastern Afghanistan and the northern stretch of the Indus River in Pakistan. The Pashtun are united primarily by a common language, Pashto.
Are Pashtuns Pathans?
Pashtuns of the Indian subcontinent, outside the traditional homeland, are referred to as Pathans (the Hindustani word for Pashtun) both by themselves and other ethnic groups of the subcontinent. Historically, Pashtuns have settled in various cities east of the Indus River before and during the British Raj.
How many Tajiks are there in Pakistan?
1.2 million Tajiks
There are at least 1.2 million Tajiks living in Pakistan. In recent years, many Tajiks from Tajikistan have settled in Pakistan due to the economic conditions prevalent in their home country, many have settled in the northern city of Ishkuman.
Who are the Tajiks of Afghanistan?
The term “Tajik” is often used loosely by other Afghan groups to refer to “de-tribalized” Afghans living in northern Afghanistan. Tajiks are the second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, comprising between 25-30% of the total population.
Is Pathan and Pashtun difference?
How old is Pashto?
It is believed that the Pashto language is about 2500 years old. However, exactly how many people speak Pashto is not certain. There are different estimates that range from 26 million to 40 million.
What percent of the Taliban is Pashtun?
Ethnic composition
| Ethnic group | “Afghanistan: Where Things Stand” (2004) “A survey of the Afghan people” (2004) | “A survey of the Afghan people” (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Pashtun | 46% | 37% |
| Tajik | 39% | 37% |
| Hazara | 6% | 10% |
| Uzbek | 6% | 9% |