Pictures of tomb of Ahmad Shah Baba's mother Zarghuna Ania and weapons used by Ahmad Shah Baba.

Scanned Photograph of tomb of Zarghuna Alokozai (Zarghona Ania, mother of Ahmad Shah Baba) in Kohak, Qandahar (From book Ahmad Shah Afghan by Mir Ghulam Muhammad Ghobar)

 Scanned photograph of weapons used by Ahmad Shah Baba from book Ahmad Shah Afghan by Mir Ghulam Muhammad Ghobar

Source:  Khyber.ORG

Razia Sultana

Razia Sultana

She and her family was not Afghan but Ilbari Turk from steppes of Turkestan.

Pashtun-Baloch langauge boundry

Hasni tribe

Though Hasnis are now an unimportant group, amalgamated with Khetrans, they were in former days the most powerful tribes of Sewistan. The Hasnis claim a Tor Tarin Origin and their ancient home was in Pishin. About three and half centuries have elapsed since Hasan and Musa Khan, Tor Tarin, with their families wandered to the Marri hills in search of livelihood. They took service with the Marris as Shepherds, and at length a Marri carried off Musa's wife. Hasan came to Pishin for help. The Tareens dispatched a party of 12 men with Hasan who was able to recover Musa's wife and kill her abductor, but a feud was thus established between the Marris and Hasnis as the Marris called their opponents from the name of their leader. The Tareens made repeated attacks on the Marris, turned them out and occupied Kahan, Phelawar and Nesao. Hasan was subsequently killed in a raiding expedition against the Brahuis in Bolan. He was succeeded by his son Muhammad, who manged the tribe for 20 years and lived in peace with his neighbors. On his death his son Nur Muhammad succeeded him. He was the chief of tribe for 30 years, and during this period Hasnis the summit of their prosperity. Nur Muhammad was succeded by his son Sadiq Khan who permitted the Marris to build a fort and live as "hamsayas" at Kahan. The Marris, however, gradually collected together and fought with the Hasnis at Phelawar, where 200 Marris and 100 Hasnis were killed. Peace was then concluded, but at the end of year quarreling again commenced with refrence to land. The Marris, now applied to Nasir Khan Brahui of Kalat for assistance and he sent a force to help them ; the Hasnis were defeated by the combined Marris and Brahuis and retired to Kohlu, which in those days belonged to Zarkun Afghans. This was about 1780 AD. Subsequently another fight ensued at Daola Wanga, when Sadiq , the Hasni chief , was killed and the power of Hasni tribe was completely broken. The place had since been called Sadiq Wanga. Sadiq's son however continued to fight against the Marris and he was assisted by a Luni force, but was again beaten; 58 Hasnis and 38 Lunis fell, whilst the Marris only lost 17 men. A further attempt resulted in total destruction of an advanced party of Lunis under their chief Gul Khan. This defeat resulted in the dispersion of the remainder of the Hasnis; a portion of the tribe took refuge with Khetrans and the Noadhanis migrated and occupied Gulu Sahar in the Sibi district.

Loralai Gazeteer , p-104

Tarin tribe

The Tarins (also spelled as Tareen) are Sarbani Pashtuns, descendants of Tarin, son of Sharkabun, son of Sarban. Tarin had three sons, namely, Abdal (Audal), Spin and Tor. According to another tradition Tarin had four sons, namely, Spin, Tor, Zhar and Bor. The descendants of Zhar have become extinct though a few families live among the Zarkhel Dehwars and the Raisani Brahuis that Bor founded the Durrani tribe. The descendants of Tor and Spin are collectively known as the Tarins. They are generally settled in Pishin, Harnai and Loralai districts of Baluchistan.

 

The Tarins should not be confused with the Tarans, who belong to the Ghurghusht division of the Afghans, being descended from a Syed Tahir, turned into Taran by the Afghans. He (Tahir) was adopted by Kakar.

The Spin Tareens were originally settled in Pishin, but leaving their home they migrated southwards to the Shahrig Tehsil of Sibi district, and Sanjawi and Duki Tehsils of Loralai district. The principal section in Sanjawai Tehsil are the Wanechis, who occupy parts of Wani, Chauter and Shirin valley. The principal sections of Spin Tareen in Duki Tehsil are Lasiani, Marpani, Semani, Adwani and Saam.

Tor Tareen is credited by local tradition with having had a son, Babo, who in turn had two sons, Ali and Haroon. The descendants of Ali are known as Alizai, whilst those of Haroon are divide into five principal sections found in the Pishin Tehsil. The hereditary governorship of Pishin under the Afghans long rested with Batezai branch of the Abu Bakar sub-section of the Harunzais, and as a consequence the Batezais of Pishin claim social superiority among their fellows. According to local accounts, the Umarzai Tareens came from Pishin to Smallan where the Wanechis gave them the Shinlez lands. They couldnt hold their own against Spin Tareens and proceeded to Duki,which place they took by force from Nisai-spin Tareens who had to fly to Calcutta and Barwan.

1-"Recording the Progress of Indian History: Symposia Papers of the Indian History Congress, 1992-2010", p-440

Persia in 18th century

The conquest of Baluchistan by Shah Hussain Hotak

In 1733 the ruler of Kalat encroached upon the Pashtun territories and succeeded in capturing the fort of Quetta. When the news of the invasion reached the ears of Shah Hussain Hotok (king of Kandahar), he set out from Kandahar with an army to dislodge Balochs from Shal and reduce them to submission. His force was composed of Pashtun and Hazara levies. He first crossed the Khojak Pass and reached Pishin. He put the fort at Pishin into an efficient state of defence and left a garrison there to hold it. Then he crossed Kotal-I-Gaz into Shal (the present-day Quetta district). Balochs sallied out from the fort of Quetta under their leader Salar Khan and clashed with Hotak army but were defeated. After few days, they made another sally which was also unsuccessful. After some days Balochs evacuated the place under the cover of night and made for Mastung and Kalat. Shah Hussain Hotak left a force of 500 jezailchis and a body of 200 cavalry under the command of Sherdil Khan Babuzai and then pushed on to Mustang.

Balochs abandoned Mastung and fled towards Ganjaba-Kachhi area and Kalat. Shah Hussain Hotak occupied Mastung and issued orders to pursue Balochs. A body of the Baloch fugitives was overtaken by the Afghans on the boundary of the Kalat district. Baloch men took to the hills and left their families, cattle, flocks and other property in the hands of the Afghan force under Asadullah Khan Ishakzai Hotak. The latter left the women and children unmolested but took possession of the cattle and flocks.

When a body of Baloch fugitives reached Kalat, Mehrab Khan (the Khan of Kalat) expecting that the next movement of Afghans would be against the Kalat, tendered his submission and sent offerings of horses and other presents to Shah Hussain Hotak. Sher Khan Baloch (the ruler of Nauhski) and Mohabat Khan (chief of Ganjaba) also submitted and tendered their allegiance to the Hotak king. The Khan of Kalat agreed to restore the cattle he had carried off from Pishin and Shorawak and to make the losses sustained by the people of Shal. He also had to furnish a contingent of 5,000 men whenever the sovereign of Kandahar required troops; and to give up some chiefs as hostages for the performance of these terms. This ratified, Shah Hussain Hotak returned to Kandahar, taking five chiefs along with him as hostages. 

Quetta fort, 1839. Source

An imaginary portrait of Shah Hussain Hotak

Ruins of Kalat fort

References

1- Raverty, "Notes on Afghanistan and Balochistan:
2- Haroon Rashid, "History of the Pathans, Vol-III

Men and officers of the Khyber Rifles

Men and officers of the Khyber Rifles with Lt. Col. Aslam Khan, C.I.E - First Muslim Commandant of Khyber Rifles.
(Standing centre in white turban)
Photo by John Burke c. 1880s

Dragons' Teeth," Tank-traps in the Khyber Pass

Dragons' Teeth," Tank-traps in the Khyber Pass c.1947. They were made during WW2 when it seemed more than possible that Hitler's legions might overwhelm Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor and drive by land toward the British India. Tank traps were made along roads and river beds around Thal in 1942 "In the Kurram the contract was awarded to a Sikh, who thickly carpeted with 'dragons' teeth' and other concrete obstructions all the valleys down which the Panzers [German tanks] could roar. General Wavell, then C-in-C India, came to inspect these." - The Frontier Scouts by Charles Pocklington Chenevix Trench (1985)

Ludhiana Sikhs in Waziristan (1936)

Soldiers of the A Company of the 2nd Royal Battalion, or Ludhiana Sikhs, pose for a photograph in Waziristan, where the 11th Sikh Regiment was sent in 1936 to fight against the Wazir leader Fakir of Ipi. They wear summer uniforms and carry Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifles. The photograph is part of a collection at the National Army Museum in London.

This was not the first time the Sikhs had been to Waziristan. The Sikh empire under Ranjit Singh began their forays into the northwest entering Bannu in 1819, but it was only after the fall of the Mughal and Durrani empires that they were able to make significant gains, conquering Peshawar in 1834. Ranjit Singh named a son born thereafter Peshaura Singh to commemorate the victory. The Sikhs attacked Waziristan in 1843 but were defeated. Despite their short rule, they left behind a large number of Sikhs in what is now the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and parts of the tribal areas of Pakistan.
 http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/ludhiana-sikhs-in-waziristan-1936/

Letter from the Government of Pakistan, dated 19th Feb 1962, declaring semi-indigenous Afghan tribes (Hazaras and a list of Pashtun clans) of Quetta division to be indigenous tribes

Letter from the Government of Pakistan, dated 19th Feb 1962, declaring semi-indigenous Afghan tribes (Hazaras and a list of Pashtun clans) of Quetta division to be indigenous tribes, allowing them to enjoy all facilities as other indigenous local tribes. Quetta division in 1962 comprised of Quetta, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaghai, Sibi and Marri-Bugti area.

By indigenous, tribes like Kakars, Kasis, Achakzais, Tarins, Pannis, Marris, Bugtis etc are meant who are landholders of this region for centuries and millennia. By Semi-indigenous , tribes and families like Hazaras are meant who were relatively recent arrivals in 1962. Nomadic clans of Ghilzais of Afghanistan, who used to migrate to Quetta division in winter, and certain Durrani clans and families who were relatively recent migrant to Quetta division , were also given domiciles of Baluchistan province. The Yousafzais mentioned are settlers from NWFP (KPK).

This letter is also referenced in "Hazara tribe in Balochistan" by Mohammad Owtadolajam, published in 2006 (see page 155).

 

Battle of Damghan ,1729 ( Hotakis vs Nadir Shah Quli)

Ashraf Hotaki having come to power in the aftermath of a coup against his predecessor, Mahmud Hotaki, had achieved great success in the war with the Ottomans where with a much inferior force he overcame a superior Turkish army and agreed to a settlement in which he secured Turkish support and acceptance as the legitimate ruler of Persia. Hardly had he begun to enjoy his good fortune when he received reports of the great successes of Shah Tahmasp in Khorasan.  He assembled about 30,000 men of whom more than one half were Afghans. Nadir Quli expected that Ashraf would advance into Khorasan. The Afghan chief realizing that the Persian army was  daily increasing , decided to march into Khorasan before it became too strong[1]. In October 2, 1729 AD, the armies met near the town of Damaghan . Asharf found Persians entrenched in a well chosen position on some small hills selected by Nadir. The Afghans, never having seen the Persians hold their ground , immediately attacked and pushed back Nadir Quli's force. Ashraf immediately made a pincer movement [2]and attacked the Persians on their flank and rear, while with the main body he attacked frontally . However , the experienced general like Nadir Quli foiled these attacks and divided the Afghans into three groups separated from each other. He ordered a general charge which was completely successful . The Persians defeated the Afghans with trifling losses while the Afghans suffered severely [3]. The retreating Afghans, at the defile of Khar or Tingui Serdarae , rallied and renewed the fight  ; but they were again defeated and all their  baggage fell into Persian hands. Nadir himself was wounded in this second engagement. [4]

                                Notes and references
1. Sir Percy Sykes, A History Of Persia, Volume 2 , p-241

2.The pincer movement is a military maneuver in which forces simultaneously attack both flanks (sides) of an enemy formation. The name comes from visualizing the action as the split attacking forces "pinching" the enemy.

 

 A pincer movement whereby the red force envelops the advancing blue force.

3.  Haroon Rashid, "History of the Pathans", Vol.III, p-270

4.  J. P. Ferrier, History of the Afghans, p-61

Niazi tribe (نیازی)

The earliest work which provides the details about origin of Niazis is Makhzani-i-Afghani (1610 AD), written by Naimatullah under the patronage of Khan Jahan Lodi, an Afghan noble of Mughal emperor Jahangir. Makhzan-i-Afghani gives the genealogy of Niazi tribe as follow :-

“To Lodi, God Almighty gave three sons, Niazi, Siani, and Dotani.Niazi had three sons, Bahi, Jam, Khaku.
Jam had seven sons, Bandar, Sambal, Khankhail, Doulatkhail, Isakhail,
Marhil, and Haiki.
Marhil had two sons, Hamim and Naili.
Khaku had five sons, Isa, Musa, Mahyar, Asad, and Khidar.
Isa had two sons, Ala and Gondi.
Ala had two sons, Sud and Saharangh.
Sud had two sons, Jam and Suri.
Jam had two sons, Naiku and Michan ”. [1]

Khulastul-Ansab of Hafiz Rahmat Khan (1708–1774) gives following account of the Niazi tribe :-

“Niazi, whose descendants are the Musa khail, Isakhail, Sambal, Saharangh, whom they conjointly call Niazies: they all reside about the town of Makhad, on the banks of the Sind river, as far as Dera Ismail Khan.” [2]

Hayat-i-Afghani (completed in 1867 AD) gives the following account of Niazi tribe :-

“ The Niyazi clans are descended from Bahi, the most devout of the three sons of Niyazi, son of Lodi. Their first known settlement was in the vicinity of Ghazni, where a few are still found. In the time of Sultan Bahlul many went away to Hindustan , and in the time of Sher Shah (Sur), we find Haibat Khan (Niyazi) with the title of Azam Humayun, subahdar of Lahore, and many Niyazi in the posts of high honour and dignity. The consciousness of power and influence tempted the Niyazi, in the time of Salim Shah (Sur), to revolt, and ended in their destruction. At present, with the exception of the Isakhel, Mushani and Sarhang, there is no considerable clan of this group now found in Afghanistan. They are now scattered here and there over a wide extent of country, and every where in a reduced and depressed condition. Some are found in Bangash and Togh, a few in Kandahar, Ghazni, the Shioki ilaka, the neighborhood of Kabul, Kohgar, and various parts of Hindustan. The Marhal Niyazi, the Kundi and Mutthi are nomadic traders, and have amassed some wealth, but, on the whole, it may said that the measure of this tribe's former prosperity in Hindustanis now that of its depression in Afghanistan.” [3]

Miscellaneous historical information about Niazis

1- The tomb of Ibrahim Sur (grandfather of Sher Shah Sur) in Narnaul (Haryana, India) was constructed under the supervision of Aba Bakar Kundi, a Niazi. Persian inscriptions on the mausoleum provide following historical information :-

"If any one asks you who made this building, give him the answer if you know the secret :

This dome, whose foundation is the highest heaven, was built by the king of the country, Sher [Shah], the victorious ruler,

The chief of chiefs, the lord of the seven realms, whose sword surpasses the flash of the lightning.

Farid, son of Hasan Sur, son of Ibrahim, ordered a beautiful vault, to be built over the grave of his grandfather.  

If you ask me who was the superintendent, (I say it was) Aba Bakar, son of Shaikh Ahmad, the Niyazi. 

If i use the general term, I may call him a Niyazi, but if I use the special term, I must call him a Kundi, and this reflects honor on his pure character."  [4]

Tomb of Ibrahim Sur, Narnaul.

2-  Niazis were in possession of the Khushab pargana of the Sind-Sagar Sarkar (Punjab, Pakistan) before the close of the 16th century. According to Ain-i-Akbari, the inhabitants of Khushab were Isa Khel and other Niazi Afghans who paid 2,702,509 dams as revenue and who were rated as able to furnish 500 cavalry and 7,000 infantry for military purposes.[5]

3-  Mian Abdullah Niazi was leader of the Mahdawi movement during the reign of Islam Shah Sur. Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri (1443 – 1505 AD), the founder of the movement, had claimed to be Imam Mahdi. Mian Ahmad Niazi was almost beaten to death by Islam Shah Sur. According to Ain-i-Akbari :-

" Islam Shah [Sur] left Agrah in (1548 AD), in order to put down disturbances in the Panjab caused by certain Niyazi Afghans, and when he arrived in the neighbourhood of Bianah, Makhdum ul-Mulk drew the king's attention to Miyan Abdullah Niyazi, who after Shaikh Alai departure for the Deccan roamed about in the hills of the Bianah district [Rajasthan, India] with three or four hundred armed men, and was known to possess great influence over men of his own clan, and consequently over the Niyazi rebels in the Panjab. Islam Shah ordered the governor of Bianah, who had become a Mahdawi, to bring Miyan Abdullah to him. The governor advised his religious leader to conceal himself; but Miyan Abdullah boldly appeared before the king, and so displeased him by his neglect of etiquette, that Islam Shah gave orders to beat him to death. The king watched on horseback for an hour the execution of the punishment, and only left when Miyan 'Abdullah lay apparently lifeless on the ground. But he was with much care brought back to life. He concealed himself for a long time, renounced all Mahdawi principles." [6]

4-  Shaikh Michan Niazi was an Afghan saint. He is buried in Wana, South Waziristan. His real name was Muhsin and he is generally said to have been 6th in descent from Khako, son of Niazi. A brief account of him is given in Makzan-i-Afghani. [7]

Ziarat of Michan nika, Wana, South Waziristan.

5-  Notable Niazi nobles of Sher Shah Sur ;

Qutb Khan Niazi
Said Khan Niazi
Shams Khan Niazi
Isa Khan Niazi
Saif Khan Niazi
Haibat Khan Niazi
Zain Khan Niazi
Saeed Khan Niazi
Fateh Khan Niazi
Mir Khan Niazi
Parak Niazi
Daulat Khan Niazi

6-  Khan Zaman Khan Niazi was the chief of Niazis in mid 18th century. Ahmad Shah Abdali entrusted him with the collection of the entire Bannu and Derajat region. He was also entrusted with the recipient and transpiration of the King's share of revenue from the Talpurs of Sindh. He accompanied Ahmad Shah Abdali to India and fought against the Marathas in the battle of Panipat. For his valour and gallantry, Ahmad Shah awarded him a bejeweled sword, still in possession of the family. During the reign of Timur Shah Durrrani, he proceeded to Sindh by the royal orders and effectively quelled a revolt. [8]

Tomb of Khan Zaman Khan Niazi at Dara Tang.

7-  The famous tomb of Isa Khan in Delhi is incorrectly attributed to Isa Khan Niazi who died as a rebel during the reign of Islam Shah Sur. The inscription in the tomb records its construction in 954/1547-48 by Masnad-i-'Aali 'Isa Khan, son of Niyaz Aghwan (i.e Niyaz was name of his father, not tribe). The inscriptions says ;

"This tomb, which is an asylum of paradise, was built during the reign of Islam Shah, son of Sher Shah, may God perpetuate his kingdom and sovereignty, by Masnad Ali Isa Khan, son of Niyaz Aghwan, the chief chamberlain, in the Hijra year nine hundred and fifty-four." [9]

The inscription does not even say that the tomb is of Isa Khan. Isa Khan son of Niyaz Aghwan is the name of the person who constructed the mausoleum.

References: 

1- "History Of The Afghans: Translated From The Persian Of Neamet Ullah By Bernhard Dorn", Vol-II, p-49
2-  1- "History Of The Afghans: Translated From The Persian Of Neamet Ullah By Bernhard Dorn", p-128
2- "Afghanistan and its inhabitants / translated from the Hayat-i-Afghan of Muhammad Hayat Khan, by Henry Priestly", pp.192-193
4-  "Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal", 1875, p-222
5- "Ain-i-Akbari", Vol-2, p-323
6- The Ain i Akbari, Vol-1, p-VIII
7-  "History Of The Afghans: Translated From The Persian Of Neamet Ullah By Bernhard Dorn", Vol-II, p-31
8- "History of the Pathans", By Haroon Rashid,  Vol-III, p-365

9- "Indica", Vol-16, p-206

Tomb of Darya Khan Lohani

Darya Khan was a Chief Justice Officer during the Bahlul Khan Lodhi reign and was appointed as an Advocate during the reign of Sikander Lodi Dynasty. Today, the Tomb of Darya Khan is seen only as a circular platform that sits over another round raised platform set in ruins but must have had a spectacular view centuries ago.