The Savage Border: The History of the North-West Frontier

 Pakistan's North West Frontier is portrayed as a land of Wild West lawlessness and Muslim extremism. Certainly, the Pathan tribesmen of the Sunni sect who inhabit this rugged territory do not welcome intruders into their closed society.  The frontier has recently captured the attention of all who follow world events through the media. It is generally taken for granted that Osama Bin Laden, Mullah Omar and other Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders are in hiding in tribal territory within the North West Frontier, sheltered by Pathan tribesmen whose code of honor requires them to protect anyone seeking refuge. The Pathan recognizes no outside authority and his homeland is arguably the only place in the world where no rule of law prevails, other than Pakhtunwali, the tribal code of honor. The Savage Border fills the gap in the available literature by providing an in-depth readable account of life and conflict on the North West Frontier, covering not only the century of British rule since 1849, but also events since the creation of Pakistan in 1947. This book is the first significant history of the North West Frontier for more than 40 years.