State-tribal relations in the British India: a study of the Yousafzai’s armed resistance in the Northwest Frontier region

Abstract

This paper aims to shed limelight on the Pakhtun tribal resistance in the North-West Frontier region (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) against the colonial masters of British India. The purpose of this research is to highlight the induction of the British troops into the North-West Frontier tribal areas in the form of different war campaigns and the local Pashtun tribes' responses in the form of armed resistance. This subject is essential for the researchers to know the reality of the Pashtun tribes and, more importantly, different wars fought between British India's army and the Pashtun tribes on different battlefields. The methodology adopted for this research is a descriptive study, and the data collection is based on secondary data, which is analysed through content analysis techniques. The period from 1862 to 1888 is taken under consideration, and the causes that triggered the clashes, such as the Siege of Malakand (North Camp), the Ambeyla Campaign (near Buner) and the Black Mountain Expedition (Hazara areas). The findings of the study are that the Yousafzai tribe presented massive resistance and proved their effectiveness in the wars.