Utmankhel

Utmankhel (Pashto: اتمان‌خېل‎) a Pashtun tribe present in Pakistan, with substantial numbers in Afghanistan.They lie between the Mohmands and the Ranizais of Swat, to the west and south-west of the junction of the Swat and Panjkora rivers. The Utmankheils mostly living in Malakand, Bajawar, Mohmand, Lower Dir, Mardan and Orakzai. The Utmankhel are Pashtuns, part of the Karlani tribal confederacy, who fought against British and Mughals emperors in Pakhtunkhwa.The British regarded the Utmankhel tribesmen as “warlike” peoples and one of the Martial Race.The Utmankhel are a tall, stout and fair race, but their dress and general customs have been assimilated by the neighbouring peoples of Bajuar. Utmankhels speak the same dialect of Pashtu called Peshawari/Northeastern Pashto.

Utmankhel
اتمان خیل‎
Languages
Pashto
Religion
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Karlani Pashtun and other tribes.

Local constitution

Utmankheli is a separate constitution and legislation of the Utmankhel tribe which is passed through Jirga system in non-written form to set a way of life. And no member of Utmankhel tribe is considered above it until or unless it surpass or oppose Islamic rules. If a government lawmaker participates in any Jirga of Utmankhel tribe, he’s informed that Utmankheli as a constitution guides in such a way. E.g if two villages are fighting on one hill claiming to be theirs. It will be decided in such a way that if the rain water from the hill flows one of the two village, that will be claimed as part of that village. In such decision making becomes easy.Or if animals belonging to one family destroyed the crops of some other family and jirga is resolving the issue. So for this Utmankheli suggests that if it happened in winter, the owner of the animals will compensate. And if it happened in summer, the owner of the field was ought to take good of his crops. And there are so many legislation as these which suggest the life style for Utmankhels and is termed as Utmankheli.

Major areas
  • Mandal→ Mandal Bajaur, Gosam Munda, Shaikhan Timergara, Moranay.
  • Aseel→ They live in Barang and Targhao
  • Shamozai→ They live in Lar Tras, Bar Tras, Bandagai, Kulala, Sharbatai and near Agra.
  • Boot Khel→They live in Ambar and Laman / Prang Ghar (Mohmand Agency)
  • Bimmarai→ They live in Totai and Sama Ranizai (Malakand Agency)
  • Muttakai→ They live on the northern slopes of the Koh-i-Moor mountains
  • Sanizai→ They live in Totai and Sama Ranizai (Malakand Agency)
  • Gorai→ Live in the Panjkora bed near Talash opposite Sharbatai
  • Peghozai→ They live in Totai and Sama Ranizai (Malakand Agency)

Part of major historical events

Alliance with Yousafzai in Battle of Katlang and shahbazgarl

According to History Khursheed, tribe UtmanKhel inhabited in Waziristan (Tank, Gomal) areas during the 14th century. Utmankhel tribe also sailed to Peshawar with Parkhushi, Tarklani, Gigyani, Yousafzai, Mohmand, Khalil, Dawoodzai, Zerhan and Chamkani tribes. Utmankhel tribe supported to combat Khashi and Khakhi tribes against Dilazak and showed intrepidity. For the first time, UtmanKhel tribe participated in the famous battle of Katlang, Shahbaz Garl and used leather woven clothes, that time UtmanKhel tribe was being led by Sheikh Atta Baba Utmankhel whose shrine is still present in Baru Chowk Ala Dand, Malakand Agency which is now well known by Sheikh Atta Baba Of the areas taken as a result of winning the combat of Katlang, Shaikh Atta Baba's longings were given to UtmanKhel, the tribal areas of Khasi, Khakhi, Tarklani, Yusufzai tribes in Bajaur, Aang, Bering, Anbar etc. For this reason, the tribes of UtmanKhel have been living in the Khashi tribes since ancient times and settled in Bajaur according to the division of Sheikh Mali Baba. On the south Mohmand laid, on the south side are Gagani and Mamunzai settlements, while on the east side Yusufzai is inhabited. According to Khursheed's history the arrangement of Family tree which is given, considered wrong. According to this family tree Tarklani & ismailkhel are its tribes. Turzai is a distinct. As Sayyed tribe belongs to Karni tribe, is needed to be discussed furthermore. Malik Ahmed, Chief of Yusufzais was able to muster the whole Yusufzais and Mandars together with their confederates, the Jaduns, Utmankhels and Muhammadzais. A great battle was fought between the Dilazaks and Yusufzais and their allies near the trats of Katlong and Shahabz-Garh. The Dilazaks were over thrown and they failed to rejoin their kinsmen south of Kabul river. Currently, you're having eyes on Atta Baba'x shrine It is in a very unfavorable condition. ( Ref: Amjad Ali Utmankhel also Tarih e Khurshaid jahan)

British Era
  • British Expeditions against the Utmankhel of the Northwest Frontier Province started in 1852. That campaign was led by Brig. Sir C. Campbell, K.C.B in which 2200 British troops took part. Utman Khels later showed resistance and British once again start campaign in 1878 which was led by Capt. Bytte and another campaign was led by Lt. Col Jenkins in which more than 800 British troops took part. Utman Khels showed one last resistance in 1897 and British started another campaign led by Col. A. Reid C.B which include more than 2900 troops. Besides that Utman Khels later showed resistance over different periods. ( Ref: Expeditions Against the Tribes of the Northwest Frontier Province from 1847 to 1908 Compiled and Edited by Stephen Herold
  • Mukaram Khan Utmankhel : Amongst the forgotten heroes of Pashtuns, comes the name of Mukarram Khan Utmankhel. The name of this brave and fierce leader will be remembered forever in the history as a capable and resistant Pashtun leader. He belongs to the village of Nawi Dhand in Malakand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He spent his entire life fighting against the imperial forces of The British Crown. In 1851, when the British forces firmly held the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the British forces launched a campaign to occupy and allot a piece of land to build a garrison. The area of Gujjar Garhi Mardan was selected as the rally point under the governance of Mr. James. The security of the garrison was given to Subedar Fateh Khan Khattak and his forces. On one of the dark nights, Mukarram Khan and his 200 Utmankhel cavaliers launched an offense from the mountain of Prhang in Nawi Dhand and grounded the camp, slaughtering all the soldiers stationed at that point. Mr. James wasn’t available at that time in the camp and Subedar Fateh Khan retreated in critical injured condition. After this successful campaign, Mukarram Khan headed back to the Prhang Mountain with his companions. He did his best to create all kinds of hurdles against the forced occupation by the British Imperial forces. After rejecting every single offer given by the British Government, a contingent was sent under the leadership of Sir Collin Ketchell to launch an offensive at Nawi Dhand village. In this battle, Mukarram Khan yet again managed to be praised and appreciated for his valiance and brave actions against the enemy forces. This whole scenario was briefly described and recorded by Sir George Young in his books. (Ref: Gumnam Pakhtoon Hero)
  • Charsaddah Attack and Brave Utmankhel There were two Arbabs from a village in Peshawar named Khalil , one named Ajun Khan and the other Sardar Khan. Sardar Khan was a youngster while Ajun Khan was a middle aged guy. According to the book, “Sulat-eAfghani” these two were very brave and strong. In 1850 A.D when the Britishers attacked the Khalil area, while on the way to the villages Mathanai and Mechanai these two warriors went to help the warriors from the Mohmand tribe of Pashtuns. When the war ended, then they went to “Mathrai”(which originally was an Utmankhel area), they resided in the areas named, “Prang Ghar” and “Ganderai” where they started campaigning for war against the Britishers. They prepared tribesmen against the invaders. At that time, warriors from Swat, Buner, Amanzai, Hazara were busy in fighting under the leadership of Syed Akbar Shah Badshah. Ajun Khan and Syed Akbar Shah joined hands and those Khans and Maliks from Ashnaghar, who were residing with Syed Akbar Shah, one of their groups of tribesmen were sent to help Ajun Khan Khalil. Ranezai from Malakand area also joined them and prepared an army and on 2nd April, 1852 A.D. they attacked Charsaddah. A Tehsil Dar who worked for the Britishers was the pioneer of the area, was killed as well as his army. They looted the treasury of the area and returned back to their own area. However, the Britishers got fed up of the simultaneous attacks by the Utmankhel tribesmen. The Britishers regarded Utmankhel tribe as “warlike”. In May 1952 they declared war against the Utmankhels and attacked “Navi-Dand” an Utmankhel area of Ghara. Sir George Young Hazard writes that the under the command of Colonel Sir Colon Kejbel, one brigade army troops attacked “Navi-Dand”(Utmankhel area). This area was regarded as a never defeated and stronghold among all the areas been attacked by the Britishers. This was a gated village surrounded by walls from all sides(fort) where entrance was almost impossible. The Britishers camped at a side of the fort. The war was not yet started that the bulks of war equipments, that belonged to the Britishers, was being brought. With passage of time, the Britishers got enough closed to the fort that they(Utmankhel and Britishers) could see each other. Even they could hear voices of each other. At the meanwhile the tribesmen started attacking the Britishers. Sir Young Hazard presents his views about the scenario in such a way that these warriors came out to attacked on the British camps furiously. These soldiers were exhausted but they strong will and commitment to show and they had no less weapons than that of ours. British Security guards suddenly informed about the attack but it takes time for the soldiers to get equipped but against it, Afghans do attack so vigorously like a strong gale that even a brave hearted man gets afraid. A young British army officer G.N Harding showed courage and saved his army to some extent. Battle ended, but the desire that the Britishers had came with for the battle was that they would conquer the fort of “alla-Dand” was not fulfilled. Then they understood that Agra, Tootai, Meena areas were even more hard even to enter in, their conquer conquer would be only a desire for them. So they camped in Ashnaghar area’s village, “Tangay” (Ref : Zamung Mujahidin By Abdul Haleem Asar Afghani )
  • The Battle of Prang Ghars the British army camped in “Tangi”, they intended to attack on Utmankhel’s famous central village, “Prang Ghar”. This village is located at the border of the Ghara’s Utmankhel tribal area in such a way that it is in front of Asnaghar area at southern part and is near to “Anbar Utmankhel” and Pindalai’s Mohmands. The purpose of this attack was to lessen the power of Utmankhels inhabited at the bottom of the hills of “Awaran”. This attacked was quoted in “Solat-e-Afghani” in such a way,“British army brigade accompanied by further 5000 soldiers attacked “Tangi” from the front. In this battle Utmankhel were helped by tribesmen from Rawani tribe of Pashtuns. And some were soldiers from Syed Akbar Shah’s army who had come here after fighting alongside Ajun Khan Khalil and Sardar Khan Khalil in the battle of Charsaddah. They were around 3000 soldiers.”On may 1852 A.D, the British army attacked under the command of colonel Sir Colon Kejbel aka Lord Clide. The British army attacked one of famous Utmankhel village “Maira” situated in between two villages named, “Ganderai” and “Bazi Kalay”, from the north. Down the hill, they invaded a famous Utmankhel village, “Praang Ghar”. The battle continued for a few days. The British army destroyed the village. They returned without entering the routes in the hills. They rather invaded a village named “Abazay”. This village is situated on the bank of Panjkora river and was the border of Mohamands and Utmankhels, and was on the top of Ashnaghar. They constructed a fort here to secure Ashnaghar area from Utmankhel and Mohmands’ attacks of which they were informed earlier.The Rowani tribe was inhabited in a village named, “Ghanderay”. The British army when returned from Prang Ghar, attacked Ganderay and destroyed the whole village. They arrested the leaders of the tribe. After a few days, the leaders of the Rowani tribe came to the Britishers and granted bail for their leaders. Their application was not accepted. However, colonel Maxen who was the commissioner of Peshawar at that time, signed an indenture from them according to which the people from Ghanderai village should shift into “Jalala” an area in distt: Mardan. 80 families shifted to Jalala. (Ref : Zamung Mujahidin By Abdul Haleem Asar Afghani )
  • Tora Baz Khan Utmankhel is a forgotten Pashtun hero of the war of independence in 1857. He belongs to the Bajjaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On the day of 16 July 1858, he attacked the English Residency but was caught in injured condition. He was sentenced to prison in Kala Pani but managed to break the prison. He was followed up by the British forces and after an intense battle, he got shot and raised to the ranks of martyrs. Upon inspection, two swords, a pistol and 10 Rupee were recovered from his body. ( Ref: Gumnam Pakhtoons hero)
  • Faqir Shah : Known always as the Faqir of Alingar. About 45 years old. Originally belongs to a family of Mians in Upper Swat. Become a disciple of the Sandaki Mullah and set up his Headquarters at Alingar in Shinwari country. Is a religious mimiac and for some years now has directed all his efforts to stirring up the tribes against the Government. Led the Utman Khel Lashkar to the Jindai Khwar in 1930. Collected another lashkar in Shamozai area (Arang) in March 1932 with the intention of attacking government posts. Spent the hot weather 1932 in attacking the Nawab’s forts in Jandul and in the autumn collected a Lashkar in Arang and attacked the troops camped at Bandagai Talash. Has great influence among the Shamozai Utmankhels and Slarazais of the Babukarra and less among the other Bajaur tribes. (ref: page 7, WHO’S WHO in THE DIR, SWAT AND CHITRAL AGENCY) also This News Was Published on CALCUTTA, Newspaper Feb. 27. 1935 that The Fakir of Allngarh, known as "the mad fakir " the notorious north-west frontier raider, has again caused trouble, necessitating action by British and Indian troops, artillery, and the Royal Air Force. The Fakir with a force of 400 well-armed Utmankhel tribesmen, crossed the Swat River Into tile Malakand area, which is under British administration and attacked British forces engaged in constructing a defensive post to guard against further incursion After continual sniping and frequent night raids the tribesmen were forced Into open conflict.( Ref: CALCUTTA, Newspaper Feb. 27. 1935)
  • Bakhtpur : alias faghfur Shamozai of pajigram in arang - A well Known a Badmash whose name is often mentioned in connection with offences on the western border of the Protected Area. Is a Close Associate of the Faqir of Alingar and poses as the head of the Bad-i-saba Or Violence Party in Utman khel Country. Collected several Bombs after the bombing of the shamozai in 1932 and on two occasion endeavoured to use them for outrages in british territory (Ref: page 7 , WHO’S WHO in THE DIR, SWAT AND CHITRAL AGENCY
  • Daurai : of sulai in Barang-Leading Malik of the faction among the khumar khel asil Utman Khel opposes to Nuran said (q.v.). An Associate of the Faqir of Alingar and inclined to be hostile to Government in the autumn of 1932 constructed a bridge across the Swat River at Kanjuri for the Faqir Lashkar which did not materialise. (Ref: page 7 , WHO’S WHO in THE DIR, SWAT AND CHITRAL AGENCY
  • Majid : alias Mazid- Shamozai Malik of Sharbatai. Concerned in the kidnapping of an Irrigation S.D.O in 1920. Truculent and untrustworthy. (Ref: page 10 , WHO’S WHO in THE DIR, SWAT AND CHITRAL AGENCY)
  • Zaer Mohammed : In the 19th century (1895), grandson of Sher Khan,Zaer Mohammed, Who belongs to mandal sheikhan timergara the friend and supporter of Umara Khan and Muhammad Shah Khan who had protected Ghandigar Qela, defeated invaders of Sharif Khan but later on he was arrested by Muhammad Sharif Khan. The Jirga system still exists and most disputes are resolved by local elders.
  • Sartor Faqir was a freedom fighter against the British Raj in Malakand. He was very popular among all clans of Utmankheils and had thousands of fighting men from this tribe.
  • Haji Sahib of Turangzai Movement

Notable people
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See also

References
    • "Utmankhel.com : Introduction, History, Culture and Society". Utmankhel.com. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2019. |
    • https://archive.org/stream/encyclopaediabri27chisrich#page/822/mode/2up
    • A-H. McMahon and A.D.G. Ramsay Report on the Tribes of Dir, Swat and Bajour together with the Utmankhel and Sam Ranizai, reprint 1981, p. 27. Henceforth McMahon and Ramsay
    • Documents compiled by the Intelligence Department of the Government of British India, 1937 Who’s Who Directory of Dir Swat and Chitral Agency
    • Gumnam Pakhtun Heroes by Farhad ali khawar
    • http://www.antiquesatoz.com/stephenherold/nwfrontc.htm Expeditions Against the Tribes of the Northwest Frontier Province from 1847 to 1908
    • https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11018225 CALCUTTA, Newspaper Feb. 27. 1935
    • Zamung Mujhidin By Abdul Haleem Asar Afghani
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