In the caste system present among medieval Indian Muslim society, the Pathans (historically also known as ethnic 'Afghans') were classified as one of the ashraf castes – those who claimed descent from foreign immigrants, and who claimed the status of nobility by virtue of conquests and Muslim rule in the Indian ...

Is Pashtun a caste?

Pashtuns are the 26th-largest ethnic group in the world, and the largest segmentary lineage group. There are an estimated 350–400 Pashtun tribes and clans.

Is Pathan a Rajput?

The community are descendants of Pashtun (Pathan) soldiers and adventurers who came to Rajasthan to serve in the armies of various Rajput princes. ... Most of the Rajasthan Pathans belong to the Yousafzai tribe. They have long since abandoned Pashto, and now speak Hindustani, as well as various dialects of Rajasthani.