The Pathans managed to boot out the Brits with bloody noses whenever they invaded Afghanistan. In between, Pathan tribes on the then India side of the Durand Li

The Pathans managed to boot out the Brits with bloody noses whenever they invaded Afghanistan. In between, Pathan tribes on the then India side of the Durand Line kept the Brits out of their lands except for punitive expeditions. The Brits solved the problem of depredations against ruled populations by garrisoning forts guarding against tribe X with recruits from tribe Y. In fact there was a dozen or so tribes. This policy also provided gainful employment for young men who otherwise would have resorted to brigandage against agricultural populations under the Raj.