Thread by @OrmuzdB

Tajiks and Pashtuns

The Largest Remnants of the Ancient East Iranics

A thread on their genetics

*Explanation: The lower the number on the left is, the closer the listed population is to the population that is being talked about*

Tajik Herat: Herat's proximity to the Iranian border has brought about a West Asian genetic shift. As a result The neighboring NE-Iranians, as well as the Qizilbash are the closest populations.Given the contiguity to the south, Heratis are closer to Pashtuns than to other Tajiks.

Tajik Kabul: As a result of the city's eastern geography Kabuli Tajiks cluster closely to adjacent Pashtuns, Tajiks of surrounding regions, East Iranics such as Pamiris and lastly the Kamboj who descend from ancient inhabitants of eastern Afghanistan.

Tajik North Afghanistan: Tajiks of Afghanistan's north, have a clear Turkic shift to their genetics. This has come about through centuries of mixing between Eastern Iranics and Turks. As a result they are much closer to Uzbeks of North Afghanistan than to other Tajiks.

Tajik Panjshir: The Panjshir valley was originally inhabited by East Iranic Parachis. Panjshir's proximity to historic Kafiristan has brought about a clear genetic pull towards Dards and Nuristanis. After that Panjshiris are closest to neighboring Pashtuns and other Tajiks.

Tajik Tajikistan: Tajiks north of the Oxus cluster closest to their neighboring East Iranics from historic Sogdia, after which there is a logical transition towards their fellow Tajiks south of the Oxus, as well as Pashtuns and Uzbeks from Afghanistan.

Tajik Shia/Qizilbash: The Qizilbash were predominantly settled in modern day Afghanistan from Iran by the Safavid and Durrani empires. Given their relatively recent arrival, they have a strong Iranian shift and are thus closest to Tajiks in West Afghanistan.

Pashtun North Afghanistan: Pashtuns are recent arrivals to the north of Afghanistan, similar as Qizilbash to their current city’s. Nonetheless they primarily resemble other Pashtuns, with only a slight shift towards other populations native to the north of Afghanistan.

Pashtun KPK: KPK is the historic Gandhara. Medieval Pashtuns colonized this region and mixed with the natives. As a result they are the most South Asian shifted Iranics. Tho they still have retained most of their East Iranic admixture, clustering closest to Pashtuns and Tajiks.

Pashtun Kandahar: Kandahar is around the original homeland of Pashtuns and as a results its people resemble the earliest Pashtuns. They are close to other Pashtuns, Tajik and Pamiris. Kandahar's South-West location gives them a West Asian pull, thus the Qizilbash/Herati affinity