Pathans of Awadh (U.P, India), 1861 (c)

 

Pathans of Awadh (U.P, India), 1861 (c).

 "The word Pathan, which signifies Afghan, is chiefly used, says Wilson, in Hindoostan to designate adventurers of the Afghan races or their descendants, who have colonized and settled in India, especially in Rohilcund. A full account of them will be found under the head of Bareilly, the capital of that province. It will suffice here to say that they ruled at Delhi before the Moguls, and that they still bear the traces of the qualities which formerly ensured them sovereignty, being proud, warlike, and energetic. They are found throughout Northern India, and many of them are in the service of native princes. His highness the Nizam, in particular, employs considerable numbers of them in the civil and military departments of his administration. A large colony of Pathans existed at Kurnool, in the Madras Presidency, which was an independent principality up to the year 1838, when the reigning Nawab was convicted of treasonable intrigues and imprisoned. His territory was afterwards annexed to the Presidency of Madras, and his numerous retainers were embodied in a corps of local irregular cavalry, called the Kurnool Horse, which still exists." [ "The people of India" by Watson and Kaye, volume 2, published in 1868].

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