Kabuliwallahs of Calcutta

It is believed that around 1839 during the First Anglo-Afghan War, the Afghans started trickling in to Calcutta, the erstwhile colonial capital, in search of livelihood and in time were followed by more of their brethren, selling pesta, badam, walnuts, hing etc. By late 19^th century they engaged in money lending and for years this proved to be a lucrative trade for many from Kabul. Though popular as Kabuliwalas, the Khans in Kolkata identify themselves as Afghan Pakthoons as most of them wish their original homeland or Pashtunisthan to have a separate identity from Pakistan and united with Afghanistan.