As SFS undergrads and alumni will know, Maps of the Modern World is an iconic class that’s integral to the first year SFS experience. But there are far too many maps to cover in one course, and each comes with an interesting story about the political or cultural context of a specific time. So, we’re bringing some of our most unusual maps to social media!
In this first episode of Maps with Mark, SFS Professor and current Maps of the Modern World instructor Mark Giordano explores a map of Pashtunistan from around 1950 that reflects the geopolitical aftermath of British India’s partition.
The map reveals how colonial boundaries divided the Pashtun people and shaped tensions that persist today. It also highlights the challenges postcolonial states faced in forging national identities within inherited borders.
Watch the full video to discover how this map connects to ongoing dynamics in Pakistan, Afghanistan and South Asia.