Maulvi Barakatullah and the Earliest Vision of “Pashtunistan” During WWI By: Mohammed J Gulzari The origins of “Pashtunistan”

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Maulavi Barkat Ullah
(1880–1927) was a prominent Indian nationalist, religious scholar, and revolutionary active during World War I. He is renowned for his efforts to unite Muslim communities against British colonial rule, advocating for independence and Pan-Islamic solidarity. Barkat Ullah played a significant role in fostering anti-British sentiment among Pashtuns and was involved in propaganda and political activities linked to Germany and the Central Powers. His vision included the idea of an independent “Pathanistan,” reflecting Pashtun aspirations during the tumultuous period. His legacy is tied to early 20th-century resistance movements in South Asia and Afghanistan.
The origins of “Pashtunistan”—a term that would later gain traction in the geopolitics of South and Central Asia—can arguably be traced to the early 20th century, during the upheaval of the First World War. New evidence, drawn from declassified British intelligence records, suggests that the Indian revolutionary Maulvi Barakatullah was one of the first to articulate the idea of a distinct political identity for the Pashtuns under the name Pathanistan (later Pashtunistan).
According to the Intelligence Summary No. 19 for the week ending 11 May 1918 (British Library, India Office Records, File IOR/L/PS/10/211-‎172r, Barakatullah, then in correspondence with allies in Kabul, outlined a vision of propaganda warfare against British India and proposed a future for “Pathanistan.” His letters, dated 27 March 1918, were addressed to both Indian nationalist elements and Austrian collaborators in Kabul, particularly a military officer named Ruhkand. In these communications, Barakatullah emphasized the importance of press campaigns to inspire unrest and to build the foundation for a sovereign entity representing the Pashtun people.
Barakatullah’s ideas emerged at a time when East Persia and Afghanistan were hotbeds of anti-British agitation, fuelled by Turko-German intelligence operations and Indian revolutionary networks. These efforts sought to undermine British rule by cultivating dissent among Muslim populations in the borderlands, including the Hazaras, Baloch, and Pashtuns. The broader context reveals a complex web of allegiances, where local ethnic groups were pulled into the ideological and military struggles of global empires.
While Barakatullah’s vision for Pathanistan did not materialize during the war, the very notion of an independent Pashtun state found resonance in later decades, particularly after the partition of India in 1947. His early articulation underscores the strategic value placed on ethnic and nationalist aspirations by anti-colonial revolutionaries during WWI.

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Further Reading

These insights are drawn from the forthcoming book by Mohammed J. Gulzari, “The Hazara Persecution During the Reign of Amir Habibullah Khan, 1901–1918: A Collection of Declassified British Documents. Volume II.” This volume delves into the wider context of World War I–era intelligence operations, ethnic politics, and the systematic persecution of Hazaras both within Afghanistan and across its borders. With a particular emphasis on the Hazara community’s experiences, the book sheds light on their marginalisation, resistance, and the geopolitical forces that shaped their fate during this volatile period.
Stay tuned for release updates and exclusive excerpts from the book.