Nationalism, Self-Governance, and Nation-State: Khushal Khan Khattak, Political Philosophy of Pashtun Nationalism Rooted in Pashtun, S History, Societal Structure, and Obstacles to Their Greater Socio-Political Objective

Nationalism from time immemorial has been a binding force for the masses having the same culture, language, and political objectives. Khushal khan Khattak was not the innovator of Afghan nationalism but was instrumental in redefining and restructuring the concept. He has very eloquently and bravely advocated Afghan nationalism considering it as inevitable for their socio-economic, and political liberation. The Nationalistic philosophy of Khushal is deep-rooted in his love and affection for his people, nation, and homeland expressed in the multiple poems he wrote. Khushal as a rational thinker on one hand praises Afghans as more capable than Mughals in multiple values they possess also criticizes them on multiple grounds. His approach of criticism is constructive in pointing different loopholes in Afghan society in the form of moral drawbacks that are obstacles in their social and political development. The elimination of evil social, moral, cultural, and religious customs and values in Afghan society are indispensable to their greater socio-political upheaval. The paper analyzes and explains different views of Khushal Khan Khattak regarding Afghan society and how different factors contribute to Afghan Nationalism