Resilience of the Mahsud Tribe: A Comparative Analysis of Historical and Contemporary Resistance Tactics

Abstract

The Mahsud tribe has a long history of resistance against outside invasions. This article gives a detailed account of the resistance strategies and tactics of the tribe during the 19^th, 20th, and 21^st centuries. A parallel has been drawn between the 19^th-century resistance tactics and the contemporary struggle of the Mahsud tribe against the Pakistani state. Based on a detailed analysis of secondary sources and some in-depth interviews with first-hand sources, this article has identified the continuities and changes in Mahsud's resistance with the passage of time. This article could help policymakers and peace activists chart out sustainable peace plans for the South Waziristan region.