manan dedhia

a month ago

Pukhtunwali

As anyone growing up in 90’s India, I could do the Pathan accent. The images of Kabuliwalah and Khuda Gawah in equal measure and the romance of thinking of distant peoples whose lives could not be more different than yours. 

https://youtu.be/dXgiVG2P_Uc?si=wOPnjOmLxbinaj9r

Brings me to this book - another one that I think - especially given the current political climate - should be mandatory reading. 

As a good book does, it has brought out in sharp relief these distant Pukhtuns, and their remarkable transformation during a critical time in their history. Bringing this remote universe much closer to home - in much the same way as the song did growing up. 

In a weird way, the betrayal of the Khudai Khidmatgars by the political movements in India and Pakistan for whatever reasons should have served as a warning for all future generations against political small mindedness, parochial biases and communal hegemony. And their achievements rightfully celebrated and emulated. 

An appropriate sound track for the moment then. 

Never miss a post from
manan dedhia

Get notified when manan dedhia publishes a new post.

2 views

Liked by

sanika joshi

The user has disabled comments for their posts.

Participate in the conversation.

Read More

Dhan Guru Gobind Singh JI

Guru Gobind Singh Ji , the 10th guru of Sikhs , was an embodiment of bravery and sacrifice. He empowered the weak and the strong, the people from all races and castes with the warrior spirit by forming Khalsa Panth. Khalsa Panth was really the need of the hour in those time and e...

Kolhapur

When you read a book and it describes a place, a real city where things happen, how closely does the reader experience the city? How close can a reader really get?

Books of 2024 - Book 8

After I started my new job and with moving, it took a while to get back to reading. After a month have resumed reading regularly. Saw this in our bookshelf that Satya had newly organized. The book is little different than the genres I usually read and enjoy. But liked reading thi...