Glimpses of Revolutionary Romanticism in Pashtu Literature

Abstract

Pakhtun nationalism, with its dual goal of freedom and  development, was the hallmark of Pakhtun/Afghan political
thinking at the turn of the century in various forms, associations and institutions like Maktaba-i-Habibia, Maktaba-i-Herbiya
Kabul and Islamia College and Edwards College Peshawar. A nationalist literary movement emerged advocating
reassessment of the role of poets, writers and intellectuals in the society. The movement is seen to have worked on the
adaptation of old literary forms to new circumstances and audiences.