The Achakzai is a sub-clan of Barakzai division of Durranis and the Barakzai Amirs and Kings of Afghanistan were their kinsmen. They are descendants of Achak Baba who is buried at Sra Karuna. Ahmad Shah Abdali, who feared the growing number of Barakzais, ousted Achakzais from Kandahar and surrounding area, and they separated from their parent stock. The clan left its parental home in Maruf and migrated eastward, and occupied the tract that is known as the Achakzai Toba. The Tarins then occupied this tract . However , the Nurzai, Alekozai and Achakzai gradually supplanted them. Presently they occupy Khwaja Amran Range in the Chaman sub-division, Inayatullah Karez, Chur Badezai, Khurgi and Anzari in the Pishin district.
Of the sections in Baluchistan, the Badezai occupies Iskam Kaur, Arambi, Chinar and the Gwal Valley in Toba, the Ashezi part of the Sahora, Speslum and Tabina, the Hamidzai Tashrobat and adjoining valleys, the Nasratzai Farrakhi and Usmanzai occupy the country near the Ghwaza Pass.
The name Abdali is still used , though sparingly for the Achakzais, who became localized in Toba and are regarded a separate political unit from the rest of the Durranis. Some of the Achakzai families of Usmanzai clan are also found in Afghanistan as far as Uruzgan and Herat.
Book References:
1- "History of the Pathans" by Haroon Rashid, Vol-1
2- Hayat-i-Afghani
3- An account of the kingdom of Caubul, and its dependencies by Elphinstone
Of the sections in Baluchistan, the Badezai occupies Iskam Kaur, Arambi, Chinar and the Gwal Valley in Toba, the Ashezi part of the Sahora, Speslum and Tabina, the Hamidzai Tashrobat and adjoining valleys, the Nasratzai Farrakhi and Usmanzai occupy the country near the Ghwaza Pass.
The name Abdali is still used , though sparingly for the Achakzais, who became localized in Toba and are regarded a separate political unit from the rest of the Durranis. Some of the Achakzai families of Usmanzai clan are also found in Afghanistan as far as Uruzgan and Herat.
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| Fort of Killa Abdullah. Troopers of the Achakzai horse. 1847's painting by James Atkinson |
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| Sar Buland Achakzai(the seated one) , Photograph by Burke (1878-1880). |
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| Chaman Bazaar (Qilla Abdullah District, Balochistan Province). 1889's photo by Fred Bremner |
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| Chaman Bazaar (Qilla Abdullah District, Balochistan Province). 1889's photo by Fred Bremner printed on postcard. |
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| An Uchakzai Pashtun, Pishin valley, ca. 1889. Drawing from a photograph with notes on headwear. |
Book References:
1- "History of the Pathans" by Haroon Rashid, Vol-1
2- Hayat-i-Afghani
3- An account of the kingdom of Caubul, and its dependencies by Elphinstone
Very well written and I really appreciated your job. I wanted to ask can you write about the Alizai branch of Achakzai's, as there is not any well written articles on Alizai.
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