A Comparative Analysis of Mahsud and Afridi Tribe Resistance Movement Against the British 1849-1897

Poor and enriched with the philosophy of Jihad bound to chivalrous culture and religious obligations; Pathans are a strange Fascination to talk about and live with. Jihad or rhetorically religious violence has a long history in frontier tribes. The tribal region comprising Northern Western Frontier Province (NWFP) was important for the British because of its strategic location which hindered British through political upheavals. Regional events were closely connected with religious doctrines. British received forceful armed religious vigour by the tribes of NWFP. British treated this pan-Islamic sentiment severely through military expeditions. This research paper aims to assess the resistance movement of Mahsud and Afridi tribes against British rule. British colonial experience (1849 to 1947) suggests interagency operation to complete a certain course of action in these areas. In this research paper, we aim to investigate the origin, culture, geography, British advent, early relations, British expeditions and their impact, Malik system setup, British strategies and the response of Mahsud and Afridi tribes. This research describes the economic, social and political organizations of these two tribes along with their cultural attention which reflects rivalry, patriarchal parallels and egalitarian ethos. British always regarded Mahsud raiding a threat and persistent problem which lead British to lead with the tribal belt by imposing tribal responsibility, indirect subsidies and improved position but interestingly the tension within the tribes' lead to “Second Anglo-Afghan War”. Earlier efforts brought fruitful outcomes where Darvish Khel Wazirs started cultivating the land in Bannu and graze flocks but British clumsy handling attributed to a serious crisis in the 1870s. British furthered the process of better tribal management. This research analyzes the strategic, economic, social, political and cultural influences on Mahsud and Afridi tribes for their effectiveness. The significance of the Northern Western Frontier region has always centred around its culture and politico-militia. Government of India (GOI) tried to control tribal issues through civilization influence by motivating tribes to start trade with British, join military and use other public departments in their benefit. British Pashtun civilization model was very different than their culture to wane Pashtuns towards the century but the response of Pashtuns turned more ambivalent. British found Pashtun vengeful fanatics and treacherous; whereas, British also admired them for their resourceful character, bravery and for their stand for what they spoke. Tribes may not fit into stereotype perceptions called noble savages while living in their splendid isolation but they remained consistent to Pashtunwali code. British Officials remained engaged with both the tribes for better tribal management by establishing their control across the frontier zone. Tribes managed to rule out the barbarous tactics of Sikhs and vigorous response to the limit of insult but the importance of social and economic tribal organization was also an important parallel with the honour and prestige of the government. Independent tribes got engaged with the British along with negotiation and agreements with Mahsud and Afridi tribe