History of Pashtuns-Updates And Discussions
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Sketch Map Of Kohat District Excluding Ilaqa Teri (Present Day District Karak) Showing Principal Villages, Tehsils, Tuppas & Circles By R. Undy Deputy Commissioner, 26-08-1885.
The Durrani State (Afghanistan) Was Not The First State Formation Among Afghans (Pashtuns). In The 16th Century, Two Feudal Principalities (Akora Present Day Akora Khattak District Nowshera & Teri Present Day District Karak) Had Emerged In The Territory Populated By An East Afghan Tribe - The Khattak's. Teri Khanete Was The First Oldest Principality Of The Pashtuns, By The Pashtuns In The Land Of Pashtuns. Founded In 1540 By The Cheif Of Khattak's Malik Akor Khan (Great Grandfather Of Pashto Poet Khuhsal Khan Khattak).
The Khanete Of Teri (1550 - 1956), Present Day District Karak (Banda Daudshah, Karak, And Takht-e-Nasrati Tehsils) Half Of Present Day District Kohat (Lachi Tehsil And Gumbat Area).
Scale 1 Inch= 4 Miles Lithographed At The Survey Of India Offices, Calcutta, February 1886
The Durrani State (Afghanistan) Was Not The First State Formation Among Afghans (Pashtuns). In The 16th Century, Two Feudal Principalities (Akora Present Day Akora Khattak District Nowshera & Teri Present Day District Karak) Had Emerged In The Territory Populated By An East Afghan Tribe - The Khattak's. Teri Khanete Was The First Oldest Principality Of The Pashtuns, By The Pashtuns In The Land Of Pashtuns. Founded In 1540 By The Cheif Of Khattak's Malik Akor Khan (Great Grandfather Of Pashto Poet Khuhsal Khan Khattak).
The Khanete Of Teri (1550 - 1956), Present Day District Karak (Banda Daudshah, Karak, And Takht-e-Nasrati Tehsils) Half Of Present Day District Kohat (Lachi Tehsil And Gumbat Area).
Scale 1 Inch= 4 Miles Lithographed At The Survey Of India Offices, Calcutta, February 1886
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Operations against the Mahsuds, July 1917.
Sick convoy at Manzal South Waziristan Field Force, Owing to salts in the water of the River Shahur the Field Force suffered severely from stomach trouble scarcely a man escaping.
Sick convoy at Manzal South Waziristan Field Force, Owing to salts in the water of the River Shahur the Field Force suffered severely from stomach trouble scarcely a man escaping.
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Sir Frederick Roberts and the Sirdars of Kabul, 1879 (c).
This photograph of Sir Frederick Roberts (1832–1914) and Afghan sirdars (noblemen) is from an album of rare historical photographs depicting people and places associated with the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Roberts was a British Army officer who in a long career fought in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. In October 1879 he led the Kabul Field Force, consisting of a combination of British and Indian troops, over the Shotur Gardan Pass, defeated an Afghan army at the Battle of Charasia, and occupied Kabul. Roberts is seated among Afghan men and boys, who are all wearing turbans and warmly dressed in chapan (overcoats) or tunics.
The Second Anglo-Afghan War began in November 1878 when Great Britain, fearful of what it saw as growing Russian influence in Afghanistan, invaded the country from British India. The first phase of the war ended in May 1879 with the Treaty of Gandamak, which permitted the Afghans to maintain internal sovereignty but forced them to cede control over their foreign policy to the British.
Fighting resumed in September 1879, after an anti-British uprising in Kabul, and finally concluded in September 1880 with the decisive Battle of Kandahar.
The album includes portraits of British and Afghan leaders and military personnel, portraits of ordinary Afghan people, and depictions of British military camps and activities, structures, landscapes, and cities and towns. The sites shown are all located within the borders of present-day Afghanistan or Pakistan (a part of British India at the time).
About a third of the photographs were taken by John Burke (circa 1843–1900), another third by Sir Benjamin Simpson (1831–1923), and the remainder by several other photographers. Some of the photographs are unattributed.
The album possibly was compiled by a member of the British Indian government, but this has not been confirmed. How it came to the Library of Congress is not known.
© World Digital Library
This photograph of Sir Frederick Roberts (1832–1914) and Afghan sirdars (noblemen) is from an album of rare historical photographs depicting people and places associated with the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Roberts was a British Army officer who in a long career fought in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. In October 1879 he led the Kabul Field Force, consisting of a combination of British and Indian troops, over the Shotur Gardan Pass, defeated an Afghan army at the Battle of Charasia, and occupied Kabul. Roberts is seated among Afghan men and boys, who are all wearing turbans and warmly dressed in chapan (overcoats) or tunics.
The Second Anglo-Afghan War began in November 1878 when Great Britain, fearful of what it saw as growing Russian influence in Afghanistan, invaded the country from British India. The first phase of the war ended in May 1879 with the Treaty of Gandamak, which permitted the Afghans to maintain internal sovereignty but forced them to cede control over their foreign policy to the British.
Fighting resumed in September 1879, after an anti-British uprising in Kabul, and finally concluded in September 1880 with the decisive Battle of Kandahar.
The album includes portraits of British and Afghan leaders and military personnel, portraits of ordinary Afghan people, and depictions of British military camps and activities, structures, landscapes, and cities and towns. The sites shown are all located within the borders of present-day Afghanistan or Pakistan (a part of British India at the time).
About a third of the photographs were taken by John Burke (circa 1843–1900), another third by Sir Benjamin Simpson (1831–1923), and the remainder by several other photographers. Some of the photographs are unattributed.
The album possibly was compiled by a member of the British Indian government, but this has not been confirmed. How it came to the Library of Congress is not known.
© World Digital Library
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Burying The Dead Gordon Highlanders, Tirah Campaign, 1897-98 (c).
The Tirah Campaign proved the most difficult and protracted military operation during the rising costing the Army in India 287 dead and 853 wounded, despite initial expectations in many quarters that British and Indian troops would only be opposed by lashkars still reliant on hand-to-hand combat supported by limited jezail or occasional rifle fire.
In his final report dated 24th February 1898 Major-General Sir William Lockhart summed up the difficulties encountered by imperial troops, "No campaign on the frontiers of India has been conducted under more trying and arduous circumstances than those encountered by the Tirah Expeditionary Force".
The Tirah Campaign proved the most difficult and protracted military operation during the rising costing the Army in India 287 dead and 853 wounded, despite initial expectations in many quarters that British and Indian troops would only be opposed by lashkars still reliant on hand-to-hand combat supported by limited jezail or occasional rifle fire.
In his final report dated 24th February 1898 Major-General Sir William Lockhart summed up the difficulties encountered by imperial troops, "No campaign on the frontiers of India has been conducted under more trying and arduous circumstances than those encountered by the Tirah Expeditionary Force".
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Fort Gulistan, Tirah Valley, North-West Frontier, 1897-98 (c).
The Battle of Saragarhi was fought before the Tirah Campaign on 12 September 1897 between Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen. It occurred in the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan).
The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikhs (now the 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment), who were stationed at an army post attacked by tribesmen. The Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to fight to the death, in what is considered by some military historians as one of history's greatest last-stands. The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent.
Sikh military personnel commemorate the battle every year on 12 September, as Saragarhi Day.
Note - The Tirah Campaign proved the most difficult and protracted military operation during the rising costing the Army in India 287 dead and 853 wounded, despite initial expectations in many quarters that British and Indian troops would only be opposed by lashkars still reliant on hand-to-hand combat supported by limited jezail or occasional rifle fire.
3 In his final report dated 24th February 1898 Major-General Sir William Lockhart summed up the difficulties encountered by imperial troops, "No campaign on the frontiers of India has been conducted under more trying and arduous circumstances than those encountered by the Tirah Expeditionary Force".
The Battle of Saragarhi was fought before the Tirah Campaign on 12 September 1897 between Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen. It occurred in the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan).
The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikhs (now the 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment), who were stationed at an army post attacked by tribesmen. The Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to fight to the death, in what is considered by some military historians as one of history's greatest last-stands. The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent.
Sikh military personnel commemorate the battle every year on 12 September, as Saragarhi Day.
Note - The Tirah Campaign proved the most difficult and protracted military operation during the rising costing the Army in India 287 dead and 853 wounded, despite initial expectations in many quarters that British and Indian troops would only be opposed by lashkars still reliant on hand-to-hand combat supported by limited jezail or occasional rifle fire.
3 In his final report dated 24th February 1898 Major-General Sir William Lockhart summed up the difficulties encountered by imperial troops, "No campaign on the frontiers of India has been conducted under more trying and arduous circumstances than those encountered by the Tirah Expeditionary Force".
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Jirgah of Mahsuds near Kaniguram, Waziristan, Photograph by Randolph Bezant Holmes (1888-1973), 1920 (c).
The Mahsuds are Pashtun tribesmen who inhabited Waziristan. They were probably the most formidable fighters on the frontier. Highly mobile, able to live off the most meagre rations, and fine shots, they were perfectly adapted to their mountainous homeland. Fiercely independent, they had honed their fighting skills by years of raiding the settled areas to the east, along the Indus, and by attacking the trading caravans that travelled to and from Afghanistan. In 1919 their fighting strength was estimated at over 11,000 warriors. Only the most experienced and well-trained British and Indian units could match the Mahsud in frontier fighting.
The Mahsuds are Pashtun tribesmen who inhabited Waziristan. They were probably the most formidable fighters on the frontier. Highly mobile, able to live off the most meagre rations, and fine shots, they were perfectly adapted to their mountainous homeland. Fiercely independent, they had honed their fighting skills by years of raiding the settled areas to the east, along the Indus, and by attacking the trading caravans that travelled to and from Afghanistan. In 1919 their fighting strength was estimated at over 11,000 warriors. Only the most experienced and well-trained British and Indian units could match the Mahsud in frontier fighting.
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https://twitter.com/Pashz7
Malik Mehr-Dil Mahsud, who rebuffed Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Khan Sahib in 1947, was an anti-British man in his early life. In 1919 he raised a lashkar and fought against British. But later he became pro-British. He was made "Khan Sahib" by the British government in 1928.
Malik Mehr-Dil Mahsud, who rebuffed Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Khan Sahib in 1947, was an anti-British man in his early life. In 1919 he raised a lashkar and fought against British. But later he became pro-British. He was made "Khan Sahib" by the British government in 1928.
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The Battle Of Jamrud "Final Battle", 1837.
The Battle of Jamrud was fought between the Sikhs under Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the Afghans under Emir Dost Muhammad Khan.
Since the consolidation of the Sikh Empire in Punjab, Maharajah Ranjit Singh had turned the wave of invasions on Afghanistan. The Afghans had been losing their long held territories to Sikhs over the preceding years due to internal conflicts, and had seen their once mighty empire shrink with the loss of the Punjab region, Multan, Kashmir, Derajat, Hazara and Peshawar.
Towards the end of 1836, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa attacked and captured the small, though very strategic, fortified Misha Khel Khyberi village of Jamrud, situated on the south-side of a range of mountains at the mouth of the Khyber pass. With the conquest of Jamrud, the frontier of the Sikh Empire now bordered the frontier of Afghanistan. In 1837, The Sikh army was in Lahore for the wedding of Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The Emir of Afghanistan, Dost Muhammad Khan, accompanied by five of his sons, rushed with his army to drive the Sikhs out of Peshawar. The Sikh general Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was killed in the battle.
Painting Credit - Jason Askew
The Battle of Jamrud was fought between the Sikhs under Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the Afghans under Emir Dost Muhammad Khan.
Since the consolidation of the Sikh Empire in Punjab, Maharajah Ranjit Singh had turned the wave of invasions on Afghanistan. The Afghans had been losing their long held territories to Sikhs over the preceding years due to internal conflicts, and had seen their once mighty empire shrink with the loss of the Punjab region, Multan, Kashmir, Derajat, Hazara and Peshawar.
Towards the end of 1836, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa attacked and captured the small, though very strategic, fortified Misha Khel Khyberi village of Jamrud, situated on the south-side of a range of mountains at the mouth of the Khyber pass. With the conquest of Jamrud, the frontier of the Sikh Empire now bordered the frontier of Afghanistan. In 1837, The Sikh army was in Lahore for the wedding of Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The Emir of Afghanistan, Dost Muhammad Khan, accompanied by five of his sons, rushed with his army to drive the Sikhs out of Peshawar. The Sikh general Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was killed in the battle.
Painting Credit - Jason Askew
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Bayazid Ansari (Pir e Roshan - 1525–85) invented Pushto script & wrote first book in Pashto language, Khair ul Bayan, beginning Pashto literature. Also initiated Roshania movement.
Fought against Akbar's Din e Ialhi & Mughals, who bribeb Akhund Darwaze to call him Pir e Tareek.
Fought against Akbar's Din e Ialhi & Mughals, who bribeb Akhund Darwaze to call him Pir e Tareek.
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Sketch Of Mullah Powanda, 19th Century.
An unbowed cleric, Mullah Powanda is remembered by the people of Waziristan for his unwavering opposition to the British Raj.
Mullah Powanda, an unbowed Islamists resisted with might against the colonial power till his last breath. He waged a long armed struggle against the British when they started founding military settlements in Tribal Areas in the second half of the 19th Century.
His real name is believed to have been Muhyeddin. However, he was widely known as Mullah Powanda (the one who lives a nomadic life). Born in 1863 in a poor Mehsud "Shabikhel Mahsud". family of South Waziristan, Powanda was a traditional cleric in Waziristan.
He became a ‘wanted’ warrior to the British government when his two associates killed a Bannu jail warden in 1886-87. The government accused him of having masterminded the attack and issued warrants for his arrest.
Powanda fled to Lower Dir and stayed with his teacher Mullah Hamzullah. Upon his return to Waziristan, he launched a guerrilla war from across the length and breadth of the Tribal Areas against the colonial troops. In early 1893, the British lost at least seven soldiers and a PWD overseer, Mr Kelly, in attacks carried out by five tribal men belonging to the Mehsud tribe in Ghoyelari, Gomal Zam valley and Fort Sandeman (now Zhob). In this connection, the government arrested dozens of innocent people from the Mehsud clan and seized their livestock and large quantities of seeds. Moreover, tribal elders (Maliks) were urged to call a jirga to decide the fate of the perpetrators as soon as possible. The jirga called by the Malaks sentenced two murderers to seven years and three to two years in prison.
Mullah Powanda tried to forcibly free the convicts while they were being taken to Peshawar but failed. He later assembled the people of the area and lay siege to the homes of the tribal elders who had facilitated the British. Some of the elders were killed. The remaining had to leave Waziristan. In those days, Powanda came into prominence and acquired utmost popularity in the region.
Major Bross, who was appointed commissioner for Waziristan-Afghanistan boundaries, was also tasked with establishing a military camp in Wana.
In October 1894, Mullah Powanda wrote a letter to Major Bross warning him to give up the plan to set up a camp in Wana or else prepare to face the wrath of the mujahideen. Bross received this letter while travelling from Dera Ismail Khan to Tank. Instead of giving a formal reply he insulted Powanda. This aggravated the situation.
On November 3, 1894, the colonial forces suffered major losses when around 2,000 tribesmen led by Mullah Powanda attacked a camp at Wana in the early hours. Layeq Shah Darpakhel claims in his book Waziristan, “about 23 key colonial officers including Lieutenant Mekaly, Lieutenant Anjele and hundreds of soldiers were injured in this pre-dawn attack.
The warriors also took away 150 horses, Rs 3,000 in cash and 137 guns. Powanda then shifted his base to Shakai, the village of his teacher Mullah Hamzullah Wazir, where he continued his activities. In the aftermath of the attack, the government called a grand jirga of the Malaks of Mehsud clan and demanded that The jirga must deport Mullah Powanda from Waziristan.
The jirga should hand over three influential people, identified as Jagarh, Pashkai and Shaheer to the government. The jirga should accept responsibility for ensuring the recovery of the stolen horses, camels, mules and guns taken in the November 3 attack on Wana camp.” Participants of the jirga were warned to meet these demands by December 1.
In October 1895, the British occupied the valley of Tochi. Kesan was appointed its first political agent. The new agent was killed by some youngsters of the Dawar clan while visiting the shrine of Haji Sarmast in Hasukhel in March 1896. The Mullah now began collecting donations to escalate his jihadi activities.
Mullah Powanda vehemently opposed the historical accord on the Durand Line signed in November 1893 between British India and Amir Abdur Rehman Khan of Afghanistan. To provoke Amir Abdur Rehman Khan against the British, Powanda scheduled a mammoth tribal delegation comprising about 4,000 delegates, including women and children, to visit Kabul.
On August 8, 1896, the delegation left for Kabul via Barmal. Upon their arrival in Kabul, they stayed in Bala Hisar in tents under strict security provided by the Afghan government.
Their representatives, led by Mullah Powanda, called on the king. During this key meeting, Mullah Powanda told the Amir, “if you are interested in waging war against the British, we will back you “. The Amir replied, “I have friendly relations with the British, but you call them infidels and want to wage jihad against them. I believe, next you will oppose me for having ties with the British. I do not trust the clerics’ advice“.
Mullah Powanda reportedly answered, “Allah Almighty has blessed you with the kingship of Muslims. How can we start an unjustified war against you?” The Amir said, “I had invited you, but you would not come. Now that you need help in fighting the Raj, you have come visiting me”. The Amir then asked the delegation to stay for a few days while he considered their suggestions.
During his seven-week stay in Kabul, Mullah Pownada was unable convince Amir Abdur Rehman Khan. The delegation returned to Waziristan on September 28.
In February 1895, the British government began taking dozens of Malaks loyal to them into confidence to create a line in Waziristan.
There is no denying that Waziristan has not only been an abode of freedom fighters like Powanda, the Mad Mullah, Haji Sahib Tarangzai and Faqir of Epi, but the land has also produced a large number of British loyalists.
During his long campaign, Mullah Powanda wrote many letters to the British, including Mr Grant, the political agent of Wana, the lieutenant governor of the Punjab and Ghulam Mohammad (the police assistant superintendent in Wana), requesting them to stop their anti-Muslim activities. He also warned them of repercussions of their actions.
Mullah Powanda gave a tough time to the British in his three decades of resistance in Yaghistan or Tribal Areas. Many British writers have acknowledged his courage and commitment. Evelyn Howel writes in his book how Powanda’s charismatic personality influenced every British officer who met him.
Howel writes, “although he was an illiterate and poor Pashtun, he secured a remarkable position in the history of NWFP. If he had been born in this era he would have been considered one of the most dynamic leaders of the region.” Sir Olaf Cairo accounts in his book The Pathans, “if Mehsuds were as talented as Yousafzais, they would have established such a state in the leadership of Mullah Powanda as the state of Swat”. In military reports on Waziristan, he has been called the prince of Waziristan and the self-styled king of the Tribal Areas.
Mullah Powanda breathed his last on November 2, 1913, at the age of 50. Foul play was suspected. Some believed that he had been poisoned by his son, Sahib Din, at the behest of the British government. In exchange, he was alleged to have received a hefty amount in Kabuli rupees and a bungalow in the Punjab.
Later, it was found that he had died of natural causes. A few days prior to his passing, Powanda had written a note that is now engraved on his tombstone, “you must maintain your pride and stance and not allow the colonialists to rule over your soil. You should refrain from internal and tribal rivalries because discord can lead to British dominance”. Mullah Powanda was survived by four wives and seven sons. He had nominated his son, Sahib, his successor.
References Given Below.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/.../900907-an-unbowed-cleric
The writer is a professor at Degree College Zhob and a columnist. He can be reached at hussainhunarmal@gmail.com.
An unbowed cleric, Mullah Powanda is remembered by the people of Waziristan for his unwavering opposition to the British Raj.
Mullah Powanda, an unbowed Islamists resisted with might against the colonial power till his last breath. He waged a long armed struggle against the British when they started founding military settlements in Tribal Areas in the second half of the 19th Century.
His real name is believed to have been Muhyeddin. However, he was widely known as Mullah Powanda (the one who lives a nomadic life). Born in 1863 in a poor Mehsud "Shabikhel Mahsud". family of South Waziristan, Powanda was a traditional cleric in Waziristan.
He became a ‘wanted’ warrior to the British government when his two associates killed a Bannu jail warden in 1886-87. The government accused him of having masterminded the attack and issued warrants for his arrest.
Powanda fled to Lower Dir and stayed with his teacher Mullah Hamzullah. Upon his return to Waziristan, he launched a guerrilla war from across the length and breadth of the Tribal Areas against the colonial troops. In early 1893, the British lost at least seven soldiers and a PWD overseer, Mr Kelly, in attacks carried out by five tribal men belonging to the Mehsud tribe in Ghoyelari, Gomal Zam valley and Fort Sandeman (now Zhob). In this connection, the government arrested dozens of innocent people from the Mehsud clan and seized their livestock and large quantities of seeds. Moreover, tribal elders (Maliks) were urged to call a jirga to decide the fate of the perpetrators as soon as possible. The jirga called by the Malaks sentenced two murderers to seven years and three to two years in prison.
Mullah Powanda tried to forcibly free the convicts while they were being taken to Peshawar but failed. He later assembled the people of the area and lay siege to the homes of the tribal elders who had facilitated the British. Some of the elders were killed. The remaining had to leave Waziristan. In those days, Powanda came into prominence and acquired utmost popularity in the region.
Major Bross, who was appointed commissioner for Waziristan-Afghanistan boundaries, was also tasked with establishing a military camp in Wana.
In October 1894, Mullah Powanda wrote a letter to Major Bross warning him to give up the plan to set up a camp in Wana or else prepare to face the wrath of the mujahideen. Bross received this letter while travelling from Dera Ismail Khan to Tank. Instead of giving a formal reply he insulted Powanda. This aggravated the situation.
On November 3, 1894, the colonial forces suffered major losses when around 2,000 tribesmen led by Mullah Powanda attacked a camp at Wana in the early hours. Layeq Shah Darpakhel claims in his book Waziristan, “about 23 key colonial officers including Lieutenant Mekaly, Lieutenant Anjele and hundreds of soldiers were injured in this pre-dawn attack.
The warriors also took away 150 horses, Rs 3,000 in cash and 137 guns. Powanda then shifted his base to Shakai, the village of his teacher Mullah Hamzullah Wazir, where he continued his activities. In the aftermath of the attack, the government called a grand jirga of the Malaks of Mehsud clan and demanded that The jirga must deport Mullah Powanda from Waziristan.
The jirga should hand over three influential people, identified as Jagarh, Pashkai and Shaheer to the government. The jirga should accept responsibility for ensuring the recovery of the stolen horses, camels, mules and guns taken in the November 3 attack on Wana camp.” Participants of the jirga were warned to meet these demands by December 1.
In October 1895, the British occupied the valley of Tochi. Kesan was appointed its first political agent. The new agent was killed by some youngsters of the Dawar clan while visiting the shrine of Haji Sarmast in Hasukhel in March 1896. The Mullah now began collecting donations to escalate his jihadi activities.
Mullah Powanda vehemently opposed the historical accord on the Durand Line signed in November 1893 between British India and Amir Abdur Rehman Khan of Afghanistan. To provoke Amir Abdur Rehman Khan against the British, Powanda scheduled a mammoth tribal delegation comprising about 4,000 delegates, including women and children, to visit Kabul.
On August 8, 1896, the delegation left for Kabul via Barmal. Upon their arrival in Kabul, they stayed in Bala Hisar in tents under strict security provided by the Afghan government.
Their representatives, led by Mullah Powanda, called on the king. During this key meeting, Mullah Powanda told the Amir, “if you are interested in waging war against the British, we will back you “. The Amir replied, “I have friendly relations with the British, but you call them infidels and want to wage jihad against them. I believe, next you will oppose me for having ties with the British. I do not trust the clerics’ advice“.
Mullah Powanda reportedly answered, “Allah Almighty has blessed you with the kingship of Muslims. How can we start an unjustified war against you?” The Amir said, “I had invited you, but you would not come. Now that you need help in fighting the Raj, you have come visiting me”. The Amir then asked the delegation to stay for a few days while he considered their suggestions.
During his seven-week stay in Kabul, Mullah Pownada was unable convince Amir Abdur Rehman Khan. The delegation returned to Waziristan on September 28.
In February 1895, the British government began taking dozens of Malaks loyal to them into confidence to create a line in Waziristan.
There is no denying that Waziristan has not only been an abode of freedom fighters like Powanda, the Mad Mullah, Haji Sahib Tarangzai and Faqir of Epi, but the land has also produced a large number of British loyalists.
During his long campaign, Mullah Powanda wrote many letters to the British, including Mr Grant, the political agent of Wana, the lieutenant governor of the Punjab and Ghulam Mohammad (the police assistant superintendent in Wana), requesting them to stop their anti-Muslim activities. He also warned them of repercussions of their actions.
Mullah Powanda gave a tough time to the British in his three decades of resistance in Yaghistan or Tribal Areas. Many British writers have acknowledged his courage and commitment. Evelyn Howel writes in his book how Powanda’s charismatic personality influenced every British officer who met him.
Howel writes, “although he was an illiterate and poor Pashtun, he secured a remarkable position in the history of NWFP. If he had been born in this era he would have been considered one of the most dynamic leaders of the region.” Sir Olaf Cairo accounts in his book The Pathans, “if Mehsuds were as talented as Yousafzais, they would have established such a state in the leadership of Mullah Powanda as the state of Swat”. In military reports on Waziristan, he has been called the prince of Waziristan and the self-styled king of the Tribal Areas.
Mullah Powanda breathed his last on November 2, 1913, at the age of 50. Foul play was suspected. Some believed that he had been poisoned by his son, Sahib Din, at the behest of the British government. In exchange, he was alleged to have received a hefty amount in Kabuli rupees and a bungalow in the Punjab.
Later, it was found that he had died of natural causes. A few days prior to his passing, Powanda had written a note that is now engraved on his tombstone, “you must maintain your pride and stance and not allow the colonialists to rule over your soil. You should refrain from internal and tribal rivalries because discord can lead to British dominance”. Mullah Powanda was survived by four wives and seven sons. He had nominated his son, Sahib, his successor.
References Given Below.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/.../900907-an-unbowed-cleric
The writer is a professor at Degree College Zhob and a columnist. He can be reached at hussainhunarmal@gmail.com.
ghazi52
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Salt Custom House And Levies Post At Bahadarkhel Village Situated On Old Kohat Bannu Road, Teri Tehsil Of Kohat, 1920's (c).
These Salt Mines Of Kohat Are Situated In What Was Then Teri Tehsil (Present Day District Karak) - Bahadurkhel Salt Mine, Jatta Ismail Khel Salt Mine, Nari Panos Salt Mine, And Karak Salt Mine. Revenue From These Salt Mines Was Received By Nawab Of Teri (Chief Of Western Khattak's).
Another Salt Mine Of Khattak Area Is At Malgin (Present Day District Kohat) Revenue From This Salt Mine Was Received By Naib Of Gumbat.
Note - The Durrani State (Afghanistan) Was Not The First State Formation Among Afghans (Pashtuns). In The 16th Century, Two Feudal Principalities (Akora Present Day Akora Khattak District Nowshera & Teri Present Day District Karak) Had Emerged In The Territory Populated By An East Afghan Tribe - The Khattak's. Teri Khanete Was The First Oldest Principality Of The Pashtuns, By The Pashtuns In The Land Of Pashtuns. Founded In 1540 By The Cheif Of Khattak's Malik Akor Khan (Great Grandfather Of Pashto-language Poet Khuhsal Khan Khattak).
The Khanete Of Teri (1550 - 1956), Present Day District Karak (Banda Daudshah, Karak, And Takht-e-Nasrati Tehsils) Half Of Present Day District Kohat (Lachi Tehsil And Gumbat Area).
Picture Courtesy - Muhammad Khattak
These Salt Mines Of Kohat Are Situated In What Was Then Teri Tehsil (Present Day District Karak) - Bahadurkhel Salt Mine, Jatta Ismail Khel Salt Mine, Nari Panos Salt Mine, And Karak Salt Mine. Revenue From These Salt Mines Was Received By Nawab Of Teri (Chief Of Western Khattak's).
Another Salt Mine Of Khattak Area Is At Malgin (Present Day District Kohat) Revenue From This Salt Mine Was Received By Naib Of Gumbat.
Note - The Durrani State (Afghanistan) Was Not The First State Formation Among Afghans (Pashtuns). In The 16th Century, Two Feudal Principalities (Akora Present Day Akora Khattak District Nowshera & Teri Present Day District Karak) Had Emerged In The Territory Populated By An East Afghan Tribe - The Khattak's. Teri Khanete Was The First Oldest Principality Of The Pashtuns, By The Pashtuns In The Land Of Pashtuns. Founded In 1540 By The Cheif Of Khattak's Malik Akor Khan (Great Grandfather Of Pashto-language Poet Khuhsal Khan Khattak).
The Khanete Of Teri (1550 - 1956), Present Day District Karak (Banda Daudshah, Karak, And Takht-e-Nasrati Tehsils) Half Of Present Day District Kohat (Lachi Tehsil And Gumbat Area).
Picture Courtesy - Muhammad Khattak
ghazi52
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Portrait of Ahmad Khan Bangash, the ruler of Farrukhabad
. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/67355…
The grandfather of Ahmad Khan Bangash migrated from Pakhtunkhwa to India during the reign of Aurangzeb and settled at Mau Rashidabad (a Pashtun town in India founded by a grandson of Pir Roshan).
. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/digital/item/67355…
The grandfather of Ahmad Khan Bangash migrated from Pakhtunkhwa to India during the reign of Aurangzeb and settled at Mau Rashidabad (a Pashtun town in India founded by a grandson of Pir Roshan).
ghazi52
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Khuttuk Horsemen "Western Khattak's" In Armour, 1860's (c).
Notes After The Picture "Over his turban he wears a cap of light steel chain mail, part of which, thickly quilted with cotton or wool, and fastened across his chest by straps, descends as far as his waist, and, when mounted, protects his back and arms.
He has bright steel gauntlets reaching to the elbow, the leather covering for the hands being studded with bosses of steel or brass. His tunic is of quilted cotton, thick enough to turn a sabre cut, and with strong jack boots reaching to the knee, completes the costume. His arms are a light matchlock and sword, and his powder horns and bullet bag hang at his waist and on his right side.
The Khattak's cannot, however, bring many horsemen into the field, and their strength lies in their foot soldiers, who are formidable in mountain warfare."
Published by India Museum in London - 1872.
Notes After The Picture "Over his turban he wears a cap of light steel chain mail, part of which, thickly quilted with cotton or wool, and fastened across his chest by straps, descends as far as his waist, and, when mounted, protects his back and arms.
He has bright steel gauntlets reaching to the elbow, the leather covering for the hands being studded with bosses of steel or brass. His tunic is of quilted cotton, thick enough to turn a sabre cut, and with strong jack boots reaching to the knee, completes the costume. His arms are a light matchlock and sword, and his powder horns and bullet bag hang at his waist and on his right side.
The Khattak's cannot, however, bring many horsemen into the field, and their strength lies in their foot soldiers, who are formidable in mountain warfare."
Published by India Museum in London - 1872.
ghazi52
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Tribemen Resting With Guns At Hand, Darra Adam Khel, Kohat Pass, May 13, 1955.
Always Alert - Although these Pashtun tribesmen are here relaxing at thier homes in the heat of the noonday, they are always ready for action on a moment notice.
Even during their leisure hours their guns are "at the ready" in accordance with custom.
© International News Service Photo
Always Alert - Although these Pashtun tribesmen are here relaxing at thier homes in the heat of the noonday, they are always ready for action on a moment notice.
Even during their leisure hours their guns are "at the ready" in accordance with custom.
© International News Service Photo
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