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Assignment of Mam Gill

This document provides an overview of the tribal systems in Balochistan province of Pakistan. It defines what a tribal system is and describes some key characteristics. It then discusses the tribal structure of Balochistan in more detail, noting that the province has both Pashtun and Baloch tribal groups. Each tribe is made up of clans, sections, and subsections. The document also briefly outlines some of the major tribes found in Balochistan, including the Marri, Bugti, and Zehri tribes among the Baloch people.

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Syed Agha Jan
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
144 views28 pages

Assignment of Mam Gill

This document provides an overview of the tribal systems in Balochistan province of Pakistan. It defines what a tribal system is and describes some key characteristics. It then discusses the tribal structure of Balochistan in more detail, noting that the province has both Pashtun and Baloch tribal groups. Each tribe is made up of clans, sections, and subsections. The document also briefly outlines some of the major tribes found in Balochistan, including the Marri, Bugti, and Zehri tribes among the Baloch people.

Uploaded by

Syed Agha Jan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

Submitted by: Syed Agha Jan

Submitted to: Madam Farhat Iftikhar Abbas Gill

Semester: Master’s 2nd

Subject: Pakistan Society and Culture

Assignment: Tribes of Balochistan

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Content

What is tribal system-------------------------------------------------------------3


Tribal system of balochistan----------------------------------------------------3
Physical characteristics of Pashtoon and Baloch/Brouhvi Tribes-----6
Heads of Tribal System in Balochistan---------------------------------------6
The Disputes decisions of Tribal system ------------------------------------7
Region under possession of tribal system in balochistan---------------8
The BALOCH TRIBES---------------------------------------------------------------9
Bajoi-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
Bizinjo--------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Bugti----------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Buledi---------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Bangulzai-----------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Daya-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Dashti----------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Dombki or domki-------------------------------------------------------------------12
Gishkori-------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Gorgezh-------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Jamali----------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Jatak------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Jatoi-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Kaisrani---------------------------------------------------------------------------------14

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Kandrani---------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Khetran-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Khosa--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Kubchani----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Lashari-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Laighari------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Lehri----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Magsi---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Marri----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
Mastoi--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
Mengal-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
Mohammad hassani--------------------------------------------------------------------17
Mohammad shahi-----------------------------------------------------------------------17
Raisani--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
Rinds-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
Sasoli----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
Shahwani-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
Sori-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
Zehri------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
Pashtoon Tribes---------------------------------------------------------------------------19
Bettani---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19
Dialects--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19
History---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
Tribes in Bettani---------------------------------------------------------------------------20

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Ghurgakhti---------------------------------------------------------------------------------21
Dialects--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21
History---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22
Tribes and clans---------------------------------------------------------------------------22
Karlani---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22
History---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------23
Sarbani---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------23
Dialects--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24
History---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24
Dynasties-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------24

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What is tribal system?

By tribe it is understood that it is a social segment based on genealogical concept


of social structure and as well according to such concept the society is complex
and stratified by a principle of descent from a common ancestor or ancestors.
Tribes are thought to be people notions of being distinct from each other through
sharing closer common ancestry same as like ethnic group a tribe is constituted as
one or more. On broader level various tribes join into one segment in relation to
another segment which as made up of tribes who are genealogically closer to one
another.

Tribal system of Balochistan

The tribal structure of balochistan is most important feature of province. Whereas


in south western balochsitan there is no tribal system, pakhtuns, Baluch, brohuis
are all organized into tribes. Each having a multitude of sub division, clans,
sections, sub sections. The tribal structure of population has always been a
challenge to outside the world. No doubt that a number of conquerors and
warriors passed through it but the tribal way of life did not took the transition
phase. Arabs, Mongols, and durranis all travelled through this land and kept it
under their control but not much influence was left on the life of people except
that they held it as a gateway to the subcontinent.

A well reputed one of baloch writer sir Muhammad sardar khan gishkori in his
book written on baloch race has quoted multifarious authorities and
responsibilities to depict towards that arabs as were first to enter the territorial

Page | 5
land during the reign of the second caliph in around 665 A.D whereas they
conquered and occupied “MEKRAN” and all around surrounding areas. Arabs
continued their struggle to prolong their foothold and power so then
subsequently established themselves in the kalat central region and jhalawan
area which they named as turan and khuzdar representing as the headquarter. At
time of that invasion of the ruler Muhammad bin harun surnamed as mukrani. It
was the same as mekran that Mohammad bin qasim expedition towards debil to
humble raja daher and extend Muslims rule upto Multan and outskirts of
rajasthan and Kashmir. Among the significant dynasties which held over
balochistan after the Arabs were salfarides, ghaznavides and the mughals.

The British at the colonial period took balochistan under their control in the
second half nineteenth century and divided it into two parts. One under the direct
control and other governance and other part constituting the union of kalat
states governed by the khan through the tribal head. British balochistan
constituted of mainly pashtoon area and the baluch districts of chaghi bordering
Afghanistan and in this part the way of life and customs and traditions and the
tribal structure of people is predominantly pashtoon whereas of course with the
exception of chaghi district. The other part comprising of kalat, kharan, mekran,
and las bela, and the excluded areas of marri and bugti are real specimen of
baloch tribal system. The comparison between pashtoon and baloch areas is quite
visible not only in account of different language spoken by them. Pashto and
balochi or brouvi but rather on the basis of their tribal structure as well. Unsettled

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situations and constant inter tribal warfare which all tribes face in their struggle
towards sustaining life.

Whereas there is difference between constitutions of pashtoon and baloch or


brouhvi tribes, the pashtoon tribe is having feeling of belongingness and this
creates a unitary bond between them which hold all of pashtoon together and the
baloch or brouhvi whom are having the blood fueds that creates connecting links
between them. Pashtoon tribe is formed of various kinds of groups of agnates.
Other hand brouhvi or baloch tribe is a political entity comprising of various
separate regions surrounding around a head of group known as sardar. Their
recruitment is solely based on fixed system that newcomer initially shares in the
goodwill and ill of the specific tribe, later he gets interested in tribal welfare by
obtaining a piece of tribal land whereas his admission is halted by blood that
women marriages in between them take place. The baloch or brouhvi tribe is
organized for war under hereditary chief and headmen of groups. Among
pashtoons the leader does not importantly hold this position by hereditary
whereas if individual has abilities and potential he is given this status.

Physical characteristics of Pashtoon and Baloch/Brouhvi Tribes

The pashtoon as well as baloch or brouhvi tribal system and whereas their
physical characteristics is concerned the pashtoon are tall, active and well formed
physical entity. Pashtoon are strongly marked features having heavy built up and
heavy eyebrows which gives face a well expressions. The complexion of
pashtoons varies according to their place of living some are brownish color and
most of pashtoon are red and white with pink cheeks and most of pashtoons are
having long hairs. The overall general bearing is resolute which gives them

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internal satisfaction, courage is with them counting amongst their first virtues
whereas the pashtoon are abit cruel, arrogant, pitiless. The baloch or brouhvi are
in opposite or contrast to pashtoon tribe in balochistan. The built up of baloch or
brouhvi is shorter having spire and wiry hairs with lots of curls, the baloch are
mostly frank manners, bold, courageous and hospitability as their amongst
virtues as a sacred duty to be performed. The baloch or brouhvi are fond of horse
riding as their attribute. So the physical appearance of pashtoon and baloch or
brouhvi are quite different according to their areas which has deep impact on
them. The pashtoon living in baloch or brouhvi community can be clearly seen as
he is having different attribute from baloch or brohvi .

Heads of Tribal System in Balochistan

In the respective tribe system each of the tribe system has a head or chief in
balochistan as it is consisting of tribal system. The chief of tribe is also known as
sardar or turmandar with whom “mukaddams” collectively work and act as
council of advisory for war and peace. it is the duty of mukaddam to collect and
mobilize or socialize tribal people for various purposes of armed expeditions. He
also chooses the commander of men supplied by him. This office like that of chief
is hereditary in baloch or brohvi and concerned to pashtoon the tribal head is
chosen accordingly to his potential and abilities. There is also an office attached
called wadera who is attached to each clan or group. The elders and supreme
people of tribe place a turban on his head as a symbol of assigning him the
authority and responsibility of respectable tribe. And generally the duty of wadera
is mediating between mukadam and tribal head. Each tribe has separate
structure and functional set up which goes down to head of family. the test of

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tribe and head is taken when an emergency takes place so that emergency
situation is handled by the democratic setup.

The Disputes decisions of Tribal system

In the old traditional days when the tribal system was on peak when the
authority of each tribe was supreme and undisputed, inter clan disputes including
murders were jointly decided by the tribal chief and heads of clans. The disputes
within the clan were decided by the head of clan who would summon both the
parties to an open session and give his speech along with the verdict of decisions
that had to taken at particular time according to Islamic shariat as understood by
him. It is creditable that indeed for tribal system that mostly the decision used to
be correct, for the heads of clan had their own authentic sources of interpretation
on matter of judging the culpability of the alleged one. The mainstay of the
judgements used to be administering of quranic oath to culprit if he was known to
be honest or belonging to a respectable family and reliable person of culprits
clans or of his family. As long as the tribal system remained intact and
uncorrupted the authority of the tribal chiefs the heads of clans and the waderas
remained undisputed and these oral judgements were duly respected and
obeyed. However with more advancement an d gradual time spending the
introduction of frontier crimes regulation 1901 as implemented by the British
system and government official interference increased but it does not mean that
the concept of tribal system is regulated by the british system rather the decisions
were taken by supreme heads of tribes and clans though this change had to come
in to effect to formulate laws and regulations. This is only by the way the fact with
passage of time external politics and social influences have brought noticeable

Page | 9
change in general outlook of the nature of tribal system. The british always tried
to strengthen the tribal system because it was mainly in their interest for their
control on various areas through dealing with the heads of tribes and clans by
giving them various land occupancy and financial aid to not interfere in their
matters. With the inception of country and balochistan getting the status of
province the tribal system has change dramatically and radically.

Region under possession of tribal system in balochistan

Most significant aspect of tribal system in balochistan is the fact that each tribe
has specified region under its possession obtained through the by conquest or by
the result of mutually agreed inter tribal distribution. A case in the illustration of
the distribution of land among his followers by mir jala han rind after his
occupation of kalat and balochsitan, another example was set by naseer khan
who was khan of kalat from 1741 to 1795. After the conquest of balochistan he
successfully associated the tribal chiefs with the administration of his confederacy
and so he evolved the tribal system. According to the tribal system and society
and division of land is based on dual criterion of communal importance and
manpower of each tribe. This is established practice but sometimes individual
tribes resort to capture of land belonging to tribes in the neighbouring regions.
History bears testimony to this fact when the marri tribe dislodged buledis from
kahan regions. Another example was set by hassanis and afghan zarkun when the
later on they did the same in mawand and other parts of kohlu area, later on they
did same. The chief however is generally assigned a portion of land forming the
pool for his upkeep. But he is only a beneficiary for he cannot sell it. This principle
also applies to other prizes such as cattle and property captured after a battle. But

Page | 10
the land is divided on the basis of male population including the minors of whole
tribe if however a particular clan within the tribe takes risk of warfare and
captures any land it becomes the legitimate owner of it. The rest of the clans have
no claims to it according to the conventions of tribal system.

The BALOCH TRIBES

The entire and brohvi population of province balchistan is tribal in character.


Baloch and brouvi are different from pashtoon tribes, the former one that they
have one thing in common that every baloch has a bold bearing, frank manners,
and is faithfully truthful. He looks very courageous and hospitability as their first
virtues and hold this as a sacred duty to perform. Each tribe has its moorings in
the history of baloch race as well as it is mentioned in classical baloch poetry and
their war ballads. The baloch tribes are not confined to their habitat only to
province of balochistan bet they are also settled in various provinces such as
sindh, punjab. The baloch tribes are as followed.

Bajoi

Bajoi tribe is believed to be part of moosiani baloch tribe of jhalawan region of


kalat district. The original habitat of bajoi tribe is baghbana, kohistan, and mula
regions in jhalawan. Mention is made of this tribe in classical baloch poetry and its
significance is also established by its mention in war ballads.

Bizinjo

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Bizinjo tribe belongs to the jhalawan region and as a tribe it claims to be a division
of rind balochis. While living in jhalawan region they adopted brohvi language as
their second language. When chakar khan rind a great baloch hero had moved to
sibi and kachi regions, this tribe along with mengals remained back in jhalawan
mountains in regions of Nal abd Ihaljo, scholars and researchers in subject are of
the opinion that similarity of some clan names bizinjo, such as umrani, siahpad,
nandvani, zaherwani, burwani, with some other baloch clans makes it probable
that originally they were a baloch tribe.

Bugti

The bugti are one of the largest renowned and foremost baloch tribe. Majority of
bugtis are of rind lineage. However like others they are by and large mixture of
many other baloch tribes. Their territory knows as dera bugti constitute the south
eastern portion of sibi district covering an area of 3800 sq miles. The well know
sui natural gas fields of Pakistan are in this region whose output is extensively
used for power generating sources used country wide to provide the gas for
people of Pakistan. The bugti tribe has strong hold on their land and is not easy to
occupy it. Like most of baloch tribe bugtis are brave, very competent and war
like. They used to be constant at wars with marri tribe in its north side. The
famous personality nawab Akbar khan bugti was also from bugti tribe.

Buledi

The buledi tribe and its clan are settled in nasirabad sub division of kachi district
of balochsitan and in Jacobabad district of sindh. It was originally an important
baloch tribe of rind extraction. Historically this tribe is involved in inter tribal
warfare to the extent that beludis once occupied the present marri and bugti
Page | 12
territories of sibi district. However from the marri area the buledis were driven
by mir bijar rind on his return from Punjab. As a result of inter tribal warfare the
buledis reduced in number and then moved down to the banks of river Indus
which is their present abode. But even in this region they had to fight some
battles against mazari tribe for this is tribal life style based on struggle for
existence.

Bangulzai

The bangulzai tribe is no less important being of rind extraction the bangulzai are
found in mastung, Quetta, dasht, Sibi, and kachi. Some clans of bangulzai tribe for
example puzh and phugh clans are also found among the rind and other baloch
tribes. The tribe is bilingual speaking Baluchi and brouvi with equal case.
Historically the bangulzai tribe has always been loyal to khan of kalat and used to
contribute to kalat army in times of war.

Daya

The daya tribe is a division of moosiani balochis and a clan of zehri tribe. This tribe
and its clan live in mula and mushk regions.

Dashti

According to baloch tradition there is a mention if dasti tribe in ballads of


genealogy. But this tribe is not included in fraternity of rind Baluchis. Dasti are
settled in dera ghazi khan, Bahawalpur, muzaffargarh, and other districts of
Punjab, and to some extent in Sind and balochistan.

Dombki or domki

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The dombki are clans of rind Baluchis and it is a combination of many other
baloch tribes including the lasahris. The name dombki may have some connection
with a river and valley of same name in makran where they may have settled
down for some time. But now they live at lehri in kachi plains and in upper sind
districts. Their war like qualities are illustrated from the fact that one bijar khan
dombki is recorded to have joined hands with jhakaris, bugtis, and other
tribesman, of kach plains and up to fight against sir Charles napier. Another
distinction of the dombkis is their claim to be custodian and record keepers of
baloch history and folklore. To sum up the dombkis are significant clan of rind
extraction.

Gishkori

The gishkori tribe is stated to be of the rind extraction and descendants of mir
babrak rind form his kidnapped princess. The tribe derives its name in all
probability from valley and a river named gishk in makran, though an important
tribe it is in a state of disorganization since a long time. Its members can be found
in dombki tribe of kachi districts as well as in sibi and makran districts of
balochistan in dera ghazi khan and muzaffargarh district of Punjab and in dera
ismail khan in Khyber pakhtoonkhwa.

Gorgezh

The gorgezh were originally an important clan of rind baluchis but with the
passage of time it has become weak and reduced to a minor sub tribes mainly on
account of sustained conflicts with buledis and other tribes.

Jamali

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The jamali tribe is a clan of rinds. The main centre if tribe is nasirabad sub division
of sibi district where majority of its tribesmen live in the neighbourhood of khosa,
buledi, and jakhran tribes. Before nasirabad sub division was leased to British by
khan of kalat this tribe was directly under the rule of kalat state. Since the
opening of khirtar barrage by british, nasirabad ad its adjoining regions has been
getting perennial supply of water for cultivation from which jamali and other
baloch tribes of region immensely benefited. The jamali tribe is fairly large one
and some of its members live in Jacobabad and many live in lower sindh. And
small group in the Punjab as well, conclude the tribe is regarded as one of
important baloch tribe.

Jatak

The jatak tribe like other main tribes appears to be a mixture of both baloch and
brouhvi tribes particularly on the basis of its clan names such as alijani, ahmadani,
soomarani, its faction can be found among baloch tribes while samalanis and
kulozais seem to be brohvi extraction. Khamisanis of sind belong to this tribe.
However the jatak tribe claims to be balochis and live in mulla and northern
jhalawan region of balochistan.

Jatoi

The jatoi tribe is one the significant original baloch tribes mentions in ballads. The
baloch folklore reveals that the name jatoi is derived from mai-jatoi a jat woman
married to a rind. The jatoi tribe is presently in a disorganized state and scattered
in all four provinces of Pakistan, a considerable number of jatois are found in
muzaffargarh, sahiwal, multan, jhang, shahpur, Lahore, and dera ghazi khan

Page | 15
districts of Punjab and in Khyber pakhtoonkwa as well as in balochistan kachi
district.

Kaisrani

the kaisrani tribe is said to have been found by a rind kaisar they are manually
settled in dera ghazi khan in Punjab and dera ismail khan in Khyber pakhtoonkhwa
as well as among bihrani clan of marri tribe in balochistan.

Kandrani

The kandrani are baloch tribe and result of migration. They are settled at various
regions and places as example can be taken as in dera ghazi khan district in
Punjab in Jacobabad district and kachi district in balochistan.

Khetran

The khtran tribe like other baloch tribe is a combination of various factions. Some
of Pathan are also absorbed in this tribe. Its hasni clan is said to be rind in origin.
The kehtran are by profession agriculturalists and businessman. The main centre
of khetran tribe is in balochistan barkhan subdivision of loralai district of
balochistan.

Khosa

The khosa tribe by any standard a fairly big baloch tribe settled in sind and
balochistan, Punjab. They have tribal organization khosa can be found in every
baloch tribe such as marris, magsis, rinds and many more.

Kubchani

Page | 16
The kubchani tribe is to be found either in kalat district of balochistan or in dera
ghazi khan district of Punjab.

Lashari

The lashari tribe is originally well organized and significant tribe of bluchis under
ghwaram, Babar, nodhbandagh. Baloch classic poetry is replete with war ballads
composed by mir gwaram pertaining to war against mir chakar rind, after the
warfare with rind tribe they got defeated and dispersed to various areas of
Punjab, sindh, balochistan.

Laighari

They are stated as followers of mir chakar khan rind and through migrations they
are settled at various places of balochistan as connecting from sindh who ruled it
once was talpur Mirs which is regarded as sub clan of this tribe.

Lehri

The lehri tribe is no count the significant baloch tribe which used to be a part of
dombki tribe and this is containing the bilingual they speak balochi and brouhvi
both languages the lehri tribe is the extraction of rind baloch. They live at sanni,
shoran with jatois. Currently they are living in mastung, Quetta, narmakh.

Magsi

The magsi tribe according to some traditions has derived its name from the name
of river called mags in makran region due to their long residence there. The magsi
tribe is settled not only in kachi region of balochistan but also Multan district of
Punjab as well as in sindh. The magsi are said to be a combination of remnants of

Page | 17
lasharis who after their defeat at hands of rinds migrated from balochistan to
other parts of country.

Marri

The marri tribe is the largest tribe most renowned baloch tribe. It is one of most
important tribes of balochistan it would not be an exaggeration and meaningless
that any description of baloch tribe would be in complete with giving importance
to marri tribe. They also participated in warfare against British rule. They have
most significance.

Mastoi

The mastoi clan cannot boast very high in ballads generally. Their profession is
singing and they are professional musician. In balochi language they are called
loris they live in dera ghazi khan district of Punjab. A faction of this clan calling
themselves sar mastani lives in balochistan.

Mengal

The mengals are one of large tribes in jhalawan area of kalat district in balochistan
and due to their continuous and long residence in jhalawan hills the main part of
tribe now speaks brohvi language like the bizinjo tribe who is their neighbor. The
tribe consists of three factions called shahizai, zagar, sumalani. Shahizai mengals
live in wadh area, whereas zagar mengals are settled in chaghi district and
sumalani live in mastung.

Mohammad hassani

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Mohammad hassani tribe like haroonis claims to have migrated from province of
fars in Iran therefore they are Persian speaking hence balochis. They were several
hundred years ago followers of imam hussain ibne ali’s grandson of prophet that
is why they are called mohammad hassani. They are living in jhalawan, makran,.

Mohammad shahi

Mohammad shahi is baloch tribe and most tribesmen are bilingual as they speak
balochi and borhvi both. They used to live under khan of kalat and used to
contribute 1500 persons to khan of kalat army. Mohammad shahi tribe lives in
mastung teri, kohak, isplinji, and kalat district of balochistan.

Raisani

The raisani tribe is not one of largest tribe because it consists of 3000 to 10000
tribesman as compared to others tribe. But according to other tribes it is difficult
to establish its origin they mainly live in kalat region they got mixed with other
baloch and brohvi tribe. They live in sibi and kachi districts of balochistan.

Rinds

The rinds among Baluchi need to introduction as everyone knows about rind
tribe because of their valuable tribesman it is most prestigious in tribal system. As
almost every tribe is the extraction of rind faction. It was under the leadership of
mir jalakhan rind that forty different baloch tribes had migrated from seistan to
makran and then scattered to various areas of balochistan.

Sasoli

Page | 19
The sasoli tribe is considered to be a division of main zehri tribe and also part of
burfat or bulmat baloch tribe. This tribe is settled at goj kolachi and zaidy areas of
jhalawan areas of balochistan.

Shahwani

The shahwani tribe is known after name of founder who was a baloch called
shaho. He came to balochistan at time of rind and lashari migration. When rinds
moved to sibi and kachi districts of balochistan. This faction at that time
increased their number remained in kalat region. The shahwanis live mainly in
mastung, Quetta, kalat, and haji sher in kachi districts of balochistan.

Sori

The sori tribe like other tribes is a mixture of various clans. It is not a big tribe as
compared to other tribes. They live in noshki, Quetta.

Zehri

The zehris are significant tribe and they claim to be balochis. The tribe lives in
zehri and mula regions on jhalwan area at one time the zehri were and are
dominant tribe in jhalawan region of kalat district.

Pashtoon Tribes

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The Pashtun tribes form the world's largest tribal society. The Pashtun people are
traditionally divided into four tribal confederacies: the Sarbani , the Bettani ,
the Ghurghakhti , and the Karlani .

Folkloric genealogies trace the descent of the Pashtuns to Qais Abdur Rashid and


his three sons Sarbaṇ, Beṭ , and Ghurghaxt Qais is also said to had a
fourth adopted son, Orməṛ who became the progenitor of the Karlani
confederacy. Estimates of the number of Pashtun tribes and clans range from
about 350 to over 400.

Bettani

The Bettani confederacy include the Bettani proper (whose highest concentration


is in the region around Jandola), the much larger Ghilji and Lodi tribal groups,
Niazi and other minor tribes.

Dialects

The Bettani speak various Pashto dialects. The Ghilji of the central region
around Ghazni speak Central Pashto, a dialect with unique phonetic features,
transitional between the southern and the northern dialects of
Pashto. The Marwat, as well as some other minor Lodi tribes and the Bettani
proper, speak the Marwat–Lodi–Bettani dialect, which is a southern Pashto
variety, however, its phonetics are different from the southern Kandahari Pashto.
The Shirani tribe of the Bettani confederacy speaks another southern dialect. The
northern Bettani clans speak the northern or "hard" Pashto variety.

Some of the Bettani lineages including some clans of the Niazai, Tanoli,


and Swati tribes, have abandoned Pashto. Today they speak other languages,
like Hindko, Saraiki, Punjabi, and Dari.

Page | 21
History

One theory suggests that the modern Ghilji lineages descended from the
medieval Khalaj or Khilji tribe. Some Bettani lineages, however, are said to have
descended in part from the medieval Ghorid people.

The Bettani are named after their folkloric leader or ancestor, Shaykh Beṭ
(claimed to be among the first Pashto-language poets), who lived in the Altamur
range, located between the Logar and Zurmat valleys. He is reported to have been
buried in Ghazni.

In the 15th century, the Bettani are known to have mainly inhabited the Logar,
Zurmat, and Ghazni regions.Subsequently, many of their lineages settled to the
northeast, spreading up to the Damaan Valley, Mianwali, and parts of the
present-day Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the east, and parts
of Kunduz in the north. In the 19th century, the traditional way of life of the
Bettani combined small-scale irrigated agriculture with seasonal nomadism or
seminomadism. They engaged in pastoral migrations, along the mountain slopes
in summers, and inversely, towards the Indus plains in winters.

Tribes in Bettani

 Bettani

 Gandapur (Afghanpur) , Hafiz Khel ,Ibrahim Zai      Nattu Zai    Shakhi,  Yaqubzai,


Ghilji (Gharzai) Akakhel         Ibrahimkhel Ibrahimzai (Boran)        Alikhel
Andar         Sahak,Sulaimankhel, Ahmadzai, Jabbarkhel,  Gulwal    Tarakai, Nasar,
Mitti,Tanoli, Toran,  Hotak,  Kharoti, Nasher, Tokhi, Lodi (Ludin), Dotani,  Kundi,
Lohani,  Marwat, Niazi, Jahangirkhel,  Malukkhel (Maluk Khan), Sur , Shirani

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(Sarwani)   Babar , Harifal,  Miani   Stanikzai Storyani (Ustrani)     Swati,  Allaiwal ,
Samkori, Barkhani, Deshiwal, Beror, Kuchelai, Sumla Khel  Warozai,   Khan
Khel    Naror      Sana Khel   Shah Miri , Tikriwal,  Malkal , Sherkhani.

Ghurghakhti

Main article: Ghurghakhti

Among the major Ghurghakhti (or Ghurghashti) tribes are the Kakar, settled


mainly in the Balochistan province of Pakistan and the Kandahar, Zabul,
and Herat provinces of Afghanistan; the Jadun, settled mainly in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan; and the Safi, whose highest concentration is in the Kohi
Safi district of Parwan province and the Pech valley of Kunar province, but are also
present in other parts of northeastern Afghanistan and in northwestern Pakistan.
There are also other minor Ghurghakhti tribes.

Dialects

The Kakar and Musakhel and other minor Ghurghakhti tribes settled in the region
around Quetta speak dialect, which is a "soft" Pashto dialect very similar to
Kandahari Pashto. The Safi, some of the Jaduns, and some other minor northern
tribes speak the northern or "hard" Pashto variety.

Many of the Jaduns, however, have abandoned Pashto; now they speak
Hindko. Some clans of the Safi tribe speak the Pashayi languages but are mostly
bilingual in Pashto.

Tribes and clans

The Ghurghakhti confederacy include:


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.      Babai

.  Balailzai (Panni)

.      Davi

.      Jadun (Gadun)

.    Kakar

There are two main branches of Kakar tribe such as Sanzarkhail and Sanatia or
(AbuBakrzai) 

1- Sanzarkhail,  Jalalzai, Jogezai,  Khudiadadzai, Mirdadzai

2- Sanatia or Abubakrzai,  Haroonkhail or Haroonzai, Bazai, Panezai, Mehtarzai,


Sarangzai, Esskhail,  Yasin or Yasinza,  Barezai,  Karozai,  Noorozai,  Sultanzai,
Alamza ,  Hanbhi,  Ludin, Mandokhel,  Mashwani,  Musakhel , Safi

Karlani

The distribution of the Khattak tribe of the Karlani confederacy in southern and


central districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The Karlani confederacy primarily inhabit the eastern, northeastern, and central
regions of Loya Paktia, and the southwestern region of Nangarhar in Afghanistan;
as well as the southern and central regions of the Federally Administered Tribal
Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.

Dialects

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The Karlani speak some of the most distinctive Pashto dialects which are lexically
different from standard Pashto varieties, and phonetically very varied.
Furthermore, the Karlani dialects have a tendency towards a change in the
pronunciation of vowels. In the Karlani dialects of Waziristan, Bannu, and Tani
(southern Khost), which follow the vowel shift to the greatest extent, respectively.

Much of the Ormur tribe settled in some villages of Waziristan and Logar, who


give their name to Orməṛ (the folkloric ancestor of all Karlani), speak the Ormuri
language which is separate from Pashto. However, in general the Ormur are
bilingual in Pashto, particularly in the Karlani dialect of Wazirwola.

History

Dost Mohammad Khan Mirazikhel, Founder of the 18th-century Bhopal State in


Central India (in present-day Madhya Pradesh), belonged to the Orakzai clan of
the Karlani tribe

In the 16th century, Taj Khan Karrani of the Karlani tribe founded the Karrani
dynasty, the last dynasty to rule the Bengal Sultanate.

Several Karlani clans served in the Mughal army. The Bhopal State, in the present-
day Madhya Pradesh state of Central India, was founded in 1723 by Dost
Mohammad Khan Mirazikhel. He was from the Orakzai clan of the Karlani tribe,
and was a mercenary in the Mughal army. After his death in 1728, his
descendants, the Nawabs of Bhopal, continued ruling the state until Hamidullah
Khan, the last sovereign nawab of the dynasty, officially acceded the state
to India in 1949.

Sarbani

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Flag of the Durrani (Abdali or Ebodalo) tribes of the Sarbani confederacy

The Sarbani confederacy include the Durrani (historically called Abdali; including


its politically
influential Sadozai and Barakzai clans),Yusufzai, Tareen, Ghoryakhel, Shinwari, Kas
i, Achackzai , Alkozai , Noorzai, and other minor tribes.

Dialects

Southern Sarbani tribes, most notably the Durrani, speak (Kandahari Pashto) a
"soft" dialect of Pashto; while northeastern Sarbani tribes, most notably the speak
(Peshawari Pashto) a "hard" dialect of Pashto. Both of them are considered
prestige dialects.

In addition, a small section of the Tareen clan of the Sarbani living east


of Quetta speak the distinctive Wanetsi (Tarino) dialect, which is, however,
considered by some modern scholars to be distinctive enough to be classified a
separate language from modern Pashto.

History

The origin of the Sarbani might be connected with


the Hephthalites (Ebodalo), who had a large nomadic confederation in the 5th-6th
centuries CE, as well as with the Scythians, whose languages are also known to be
in the Eastern Iranian group along with Pashto. These groups were settled where
most of Pashtuns live today.

Dynasties

Ahmad Shah Durrani of the Sadozai clan of the Abdali tribe (now known as


"Durrani" after him) established the Durrani Empire in 1747 with its capital

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at Kandahar. Ahmad Shah adopted the title Durr-e Durrānī ("pearl of pearls" or
"pearl of the age"), and the name of his tribe Abdali was changed to "Durrani"
after him. Ahmad Shah is now regarded as the founder of the modern state of
Afghanistan. He controlled areas from Khorasan in the west up
to Kashmir and Delhi in the east, and from the Amu Darya in the north up to
the Arabian Sea in the south. It was the second-greatest Muslim empire in the
second half of the 18th century, surpassed in size only by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1826, Dost Mohammad Khan, of the Barakzai clan of the Durrani tribe, founded
the Barakzai dynasty centered at Kabul.The Barakzai dynasty ruled present-day
Afghanistan until 1973 when Mohammed Zahir Shah, the last Barakzai king, was
overthrown in a bloodless coup by his own cousin Mohammed Daoud Khan. The
coup ended the Barakzai kingdom and established the Republic of
Afghanistan (1973–1978).The current heir apparent and crown prince of the
Barakzai kingdom (23 July 2007 – present) is Ahmad Shah Khan.

Bibliography

Refrences

  “The Pashtun Tribal System" (PDF). New Delhi: Concept Publishers.

  "Profiles of Pakistan's Seven Tribal Agencies"

 Interview of some pashtoon elders and baloch elders and students at quaid
e azam university Islamabad

 The tribal Baluchistan (1990) by Syed abdul Qudoos pages no 89—110.


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 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtuns

 Tareekh-e-Balochistan Book by gull khan naseer

 http://balochistan.gov.pk/explore-balochistan/culture-and-heritage/

 https://voiceofbalochistan.pk/tribes/

 https://www.nps.edu/documents/105988371/107571254/glatzer_pashtun
_tribal_system.pdf/b0004d32-a1c2-4ade-94b5-a0d54d1b08b9

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