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The Khyber Rifles: From the British Raj to Al Qaeda
Khyber Rifles is a familiar name to readers, mostly through the corps' association with the Khyber Pass. But in its 125 year history nothing has been written about these men who played a key role in Britain's struggle to dominate the North-West Frontier. This subject has sparked much literary interest since the events of September 11th, but this book fills a gap in North-West Frontier literature and its relevance lies in the fact that the Khyber Rifles still stand guard over one of the world's most volatile borders.
267 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
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November 15, 2023
The reputation of Afghanistan as a tough, unwelcoming, honour bound nation full of hardened yet hospitable people is pretty well established. This is the same land which has become described as being the "The graveyard of empires". It's a reputation which is important even now as the nation takes centre stage on the grand stage of international politics.
It's the borderland between this great land and it's sister nation of Pakistan where Jules Stewart "The Khyber Rifles" takes place. The Khyber region is the land which separates the two countries; a purgatory of sorts. It's here where some of the hardiest people on Earth have carved out an existence- the Pathans. And within these Pathans there are a certain selection of tribes which are even more battle hardened and belligerent than others.
It was these people who had to be controlled by the ever benevolent Brits. Managing such tribes required a group who possessed unyielding force and commanded respect. Robert Warburton (a mixed race man of dual Afghan and English blood) took this challenge and went on to create the legendary force now known as the Khyber rifles.
It's the insight into the Khyber tribes culture which interests the most. Here we have a group of people whose favourite pastime is a good old fashioned gasht which ends up with killing. They live for a good fight and depriving them of this most basic of pleasure is setting up a pressure cooker of repressed energy. Reducing them to simply actors of such backwards behaviour would be a grave injustice however. They are also a group of people for whom principles means everything as embodied in "Zan, Zar, Zameen" meaning "Women, wealth and land". Further principles are explored in the fascinating codes of Pashtunwali - "Nanawati, Badal and Melmestia" which roughly translate to "Refuge, revenge and hospitality". It's these core beliefs which manages they day to interactions of the Pashtun.
The book is a great insight into an almost mythological people of South Asia. It's respectful and informative tone is punctuated with well researched descriptions into the numerous wars and battles fought in and around the region. It's a ground sodden with much blood. Perhaps more interviews with the Pasthtun tribe members themselves would have been welcome as the focus of the book takes a bit of a good old fashioned boys club feel towards the end. Regardless, a good read with informative content and a great insight into a fascinating people.
It's the borderland between this great land and it's sister nation of Pakistan where Jules Stewart "The Khyber Rifles" takes place. The Khyber region is the land which separates the two countries; a purgatory of sorts. It's here where some of the hardiest people on Earth have carved out an existence- the Pathans. And within these Pathans there are a certain selection of tribes which are even more battle hardened and belligerent than others.
It was these people who had to be controlled by the ever benevolent Brits. Managing such tribes required a group who possessed unyielding force and commanded respect. Robert Warburton (a mixed race man of dual Afghan and English blood) took this challenge and went on to create the legendary force now known as the Khyber rifles.
It's the insight into the Khyber tribes culture which interests the most. Here we have a group of people whose favourite pastime is a good old fashioned gasht which ends up with killing. They live for a good fight and depriving them of this most basic of pleasure is setting up a pressure cooker of repressed energy. Reducing them to simply actors of such backwards behaviour would be a grave injustice however. They are also a group of people for whom principles means everything as embodied in "Zan, Zar, Zameen" meaning "Women, wealth and land". Further principles are explored in the fascinating codes of Pashtunwali - "Nanawati, Badal and Melmestia" which roughly translate to "Refuge, revenge and hospitality". It's these core beliefs which manages they day to interactions of the Pashtun.
The book is a great insight into an almost mythological people of South Asia. It's respectful and informative tone is punctuated with well researched descriptions into the numerous wars and battles fought in and around the region. It's a ground sodden with much blood. Perhaps more interviews with the Pasthtun tribe members themselves would have been welcome as the focus of the book takes a bit of a good old fashioned boys club feel towards the end. Regardless, a good read with informative content and a great insight into a fascinating people.
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