Recent History
Historically, the Wazirs and Mahsuds have always looked toward Afghanistan and throughout the British Colonial period, they supported Afghan kings in their wars against the British. On many occasions the Afghan throne was saved with the help of the Mahsud(like general Ramzan Khan Masud Shaman khilShabaram khan machi khel,Bakhan mahsud etc.), Burki/Baraki, and Wazirs from Wazirstan. Of those who fought during this time, most came back to their homeland, but those who stayed were given high ranks of office, such as Faiz Muhammad Mahsud, who was appointed as an interior minister during the Rein of Daud Khan in 1970s. Today the majority of Mahsuds are still in Logar Province, with the title of Waziri, but by caste, they are Mahsuds. The majority of these are Manzai with a sub-caste of Dramankel, Faridi, etc. When the Soviet-Afghan War started, some of these families came back to Wazirstan but could not stay there, so they moved to cities like Peshawar and Karachi.
They are poor but brave… and although turbulent and difficult to deal with, still have a great love of their country and cherish their independence, possessing qualities that we admire ourselves, and which deserve consideration and respect. Mahsud are very good marksmen and have the reputation of trustworthiness. Mahsud is the most independent of all the tribes. Even their own maliks have a very limited control over them. However, Mahsuds have been increasingly integrated with the Pakistani society since independence. John Ayde describes the Mahsud:
After Pakistan came into existence, many social, economic and demographic changes have occurred in Waziristan. A large number of Mahsuds have joined mainstream Pakistani society. When the Hindu traders of Tank left after the Partition of India in 1947, most of their shops were taken over by Mahsuds. Now Mahsuds are employed in the militia and regular army, state bureaucracy, and involved in business all around the country. Many of them are now living far away from their native lands.
Read more about this topic: Mehsud
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