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Afghanistan: A group of nomadic Ghilzai women, c. 1839-42, by Lieutenant James Rattray

Afghanistan: A group of nomadic Ghilzai women, c. 1839-42, by Lieutenant James Rattray

Ghilzai (Pashto: Ghar-Zai, meaning: 'hill people') are the largest Pashtun tribal confederacy found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are also known historically as Ghilji, Khilji, Ghalji, Ghilzye, and possibly Gharzai.

These Pashtun people are located mainly in southeastern Afghanistan, between Kandahar and Kabul, and extending eastwards towards the Suleiman Mountains into Pakistan. In Afghanistan they are the second largest Pashtun tribal confederation after the Abdali/Durrani.

Ghilzai are often considered to be the most courageous,fiercely independent, warlike and tough Afghan Pashtun tribe.

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