By Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah

Mir Dast and Mir Mast were two Afridi brothers from British India, who chose two different paths in World War I which made them turn against each other. While Mir Dast achieved global recognition for his service to the British Indian Army, Mir Mast became infamous for defecting to central powers, earning top military honors from the opposing side. Their stories together illustrate the complexities faced by colonial soldiers in a global conflict.

Both Mir Dast and Mir Mast were born in modern day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mir Dast joined the British Indian Army in 1894, demonstrating discipline that marked him out for promotion. By 1909, he held the rank of Jamadar (the most junior officer rank), having built a distinguished career fighting the turbulent North-West

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