Theory of Pashtun descent from Israelites

There are multiple claims or theories about the origins of the Pashtun tribes. Among them are (1) the traditional legend of descent from King Saul, sometimes called the Bani Israel origin theory; (2) descent from Abraham (Hazrat Ibrahim) and Keturah (Qatora); (3) descent from the soldiers of Alexander and the Greek south Asian kingdoms; (4) descent from Aryan (East IndoEuropean) tribes; and (5) Hephthalite (White Hun) descent. Prior to DNA studies, it was generally acknowledged that their origins were obscure, and modern scholars suggest that a single origin of the Pashtuns is unlikely.

There is a tradition among the Pashtuns of being descended from the exiled lost tribes of Israel. This tradition was referenced in 19th century western scholarship and was also incorporated in the "Lost Tribes" literature popular at the time (notably George Moore's The Lost Tribes of 1861). Recently (2000s), interest in the topic has been revived by Jerusalem anthropologist Shalva Weil, who was quoted in the popular press to the effect that "Taliban may be descended from Jews".

The traditions surrounding the Pashtuns being remote descendants of the "Lost Tribes of Israel" is to be distinguished from the historical Jewish community in Eastern Afghanistan or North West Pakistan which flourished from about the 7th to the early 20th century, but which has essentially disappeared due to emigration to Israel since the 1950s.

According to the Encyclopaedia of Islam, the theory of Pashtun descent from Israelites is traced to Maghzan-e-Afghani, a history compiled for Khan-e-Jehan Lodhi in the reign of Mughal Emperor Jehangir in the 16th century. The Maghzan-e-Afghani's Bani-Israel theory has been discounted by modern authorities, due to numerous historical and linguistic inconsistencies.

...
Wikipedia