IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Hazaras community

15th January, 2021 International Relations

Context: Persecution of the Shiite Hazaras is nothing new in Pakistan or neighbouring Afghanistan.

  • They have been frequently targeted by Taliban and Islamic State militants and other Sunni Muslim militant groups in both countries.

Historical background:

  • Around 1773, the mountainous region of Hazarajat in modern-day central Afghanistan was annexed and made a part of the territories of Afghan Empire under Pashtun ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani.
  • The Sunni Muslim majority under the Pashtun ruler resulted in further marginilisation of the Shiite Hazara community, to the extent that in the 18th and 19th century, they were forced to leave fertile lowlands in central Afghanistan and make the dry, arid mountainous landscape their new home.
  • Research indicates that their unique identity, ethnicity and religion always made the Hazaras stand out among the other communities.
  • Hazaras speak Hazaragi, which is close to Dari Persian, the official language of modern-day Afghanistan.
  • The community also shares physical similarities with the Mongols and their speech, specific terms and phrases, reflect strong Central Asian Turkic influences, setting them apart from their neighbours in Pakistan and other communities within Afghanistan.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-the-hazaras-have-become-regular-targets-in-pakistan-7143670/