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The Pathans (better known as Afghans or Bhai’s) of Slave Island By Noor Rahim The Pathans who originated from the regions of Afghanistan; Eastern Iran & Western India were Sunni Muslims. They were better known as Afghans or Bhai’s in Sri Lanka. They were first known to have arrived in the Eastern Province of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at Batticoloa, in the 1880’s, totalling around 1000 and quickly spread around the country. They were predominantly men; seeking employment; and had left families in their homeland. Once settled in their new domicile; an extremely few are known to have got married to local Moor or Malay women. Though they were by trade, horse keepers, traders, and textile merchants; they were well renowned as Money Lenders & a few as textile vendors that went door to door touting their wares. The last census done in the early 1921 had them around 550 in ...