While "most famous" is subjective and can vary by region and field, some of the most widely recognized Pashtuns include political leaders, artists, and cultural figures. It is important to acknowledge that Pashtun identity, like any ethnic identity, is complex and can be defined and claimed in various ways.
Here's a breakdown of some notable Pashtuns across different fields:
Political and Historical Figures:
- Hamid Karzai: Served as President of Afghanistan from 2004 to 2014. A significant figure in post-Taliban Afghanistan.
- Ashraf Ghani: Served as President of Afghanistan from 2014 to 2021.
- Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan): A prominent Pashtun independence activist, known for his non-violent opposition to British rule in India. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Malalai of Maiwand: A national folk hero of Afghanistan who inspired the Afghan army to victory against the British in 1880.
Cultural Figures and Artists (including those with Pashtun ancestry):
- Shah Rukh Khan: A highly successful and world-renowned Indian Bollywood actor. He has Pashtun ancestry on his father's side.
- Aamir Khan: Another major Bollywood actor, director, and producer, also with Pashtun heritage.
- Salman Khan: A prominent Indian actor in Bollywood, sharing Pashtun ancestry.
- Yusuf Khan (Dilip Kumar): A legendary Indian actor.
- Zarine Khan: A well-known Indian actress.
- Gul Panra: A famous Pakistani Pashto singer
Activists and Advocates:
- Malala Yousafzai: A Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She is known for her advocacy for human rights, especially the education of women and children in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, where the local Taliban had at times banned girls from attending school.
It's important to note that many individuals of Pashtun descent may identify with other aspects of their heritage or cultural identity, and their Pashtun background might not be the primary way they are known publicly. The names listed here represent individuals who are either explicitly recognized as Pashtun or have confirmed Pashtun ancestry and are widely considered famous.
