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Ghilji
Pashtun tribe / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the dynasties known as Khilji or Khalji, see Khalji dynasty and Khalji dynasty of Bengal.
The Ghiljī (Pashto: غلجي, pronounced [ɣəlˈd͡ʒi];[lower-alpha 1] Persian: خیلجی, romanized: Xelji) also spelled Khilji, Khalji, or Ghilzai and Ghilzay (غلزی), are one of the largest Pashtun tribes. Their traditional homeland is Ghazni and Qalati Ghilji in Afghanistan but they have also settled in other regions throughout the Afghanistan-Pakistan Pashtun belt.[1][2] The modern nomadic Kochi people are predominantly made up of Ghilji tribes.[3] The Ghilji make up around 20–25% of Afghanistan's total population.[4]
Quick Facts Ethnicity, Location ...
Ghilji | |
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![]() Ghilji chieftains in Kabul (c. 1880) | |
Ethnicity | Pashtuns |
Location | Afghanistan, Pakistan |
Branches | Ahmadzai, Akakhel, Andar, Hotak, Ibrahimkhel, Ibrahimzai, Kharoti, Lodi, Nasar, Stanikzai, Sakzai, Sulaimankhel, Tarakai, Tokhi |
Language | Pashto |
Religion | ![]() |
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They mostly speak the central dialect of Pashto with transitional features between the southern and northern varieties of Pashto.[citation needed]