Utmanzai (Sarbani tribe)

Utmanzai (Pashto: اتمان زی) is a Pashtun sub-tribe of the larger Yusufzai Mandanr clan in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In the early 19th century, the Utmanzai people were celebrated for their valor and intellect. During the early 1820s, the brave Utmanzai tribes of Tarbela, Ghazi and Kalabat stood as resolute adversaries against the dominion of the Sikh Empire. Their unwavering determination and bravery shone brightly during the War of Nara in 1824, where they successfully expelled the Sikhs from the Haripur Hazara region. This victory earned the Utmanzai people a well-deserved reputation for their courage and sagacity.

As the author of The people of India said :

" They make excellent soldiers, and their valour and endurance are beyond question. Many of them, from time to time, have entered the service of native princes, under the designation of Rohillas; and at one period they were numerous, with members of other Afghan frontier tribes, in the service of His Highness the Nizam. In the Deccan, however, they were found turbulent and lawless, and their numbers have been gradually reduced. They are in general bad shots, though they carry guns; and their favourite weapons are a broad, heavy sabre, and knife or dagger, with which, protected by a large black shield, they are undoubtedly formidable antagonists. Many of the Utmanzais, and Yousafzais in general, are as fair and ruddy as Europeans, with light brown hair and beards, and blue, grey, or hazel eyes; and they are a strikingly handsome, athletic race, capable of immense endurance of fatigue. Their women are said to be very beautiful in youth, though often coarse and masculine as they grow old, and in comparison with others ."

- From "The People of India" by John Watson and John Kaye. 1861

The year 1857 marked a turbulent period following the downfall of the Mughal Empire in India. In this tumultuous time, a group of three Hundred Mughal soldiers embarked on a perilous journey towards Central Asian countries. Their route took them through various villages, towns, and cities, where they sought refuge with local landlords and affluent individuals. However, their stays were often at the expense of their hosts, as they frequently engaged in pillaging before continuing their journey.

Upon reaching Tarbela Chahar, they found shelter in the Hujra of Mohibullah Khan, a renowned landlord of the Tarbela valley, belonging to the Utmanzai, Kannazai, and Musakhel lineage. During their stay, the Mughal soldiers developed an affinity for Khan’s horses and dogs. The following morning, they expressed their intention to take these animals with them. Fearing derision for surrendering his possessions in exchange for his life, Mohibullah Khan adamantly refused.

This refusal incited the wrath of the Mughal soldiers’ commander, who issued dire threats to Khan. It was at this critical juncture that Mohibullah Khan’s eldest son, Mir Zaman Khan, stepped forward and resolutely slew the commander. This audacious act left the remaining soldiers in stunned disbelief, causing their morale to crumble. Recognizing the futility of further escalation, they capitulated to Mohibullah Khan.

However, Khan agreed to their surrender on one condition: that they return all the ill-gotten possessions they had amassed from Delhi to Tarbella and hand over the body of their fallen commander. The soldiers, albeit reluctantly, acquiesced to his terms and departed, leaving behind their ill-gotten gains.

As they crossed the Indus River and ventured closer to Swabi. Mohibullah Khan, utilizing his falcon, dispatched a warning letter to the Pashtun communities residing along the riverbanks regarding the approaching soldiers. The news swiftly reached the elders of Panjpir (Swabi), who, dreading casualties in an open battlefield, devised a cunning strategy.

Rather than openly confronting the soldiers, they extended a hospitable welcome. However, their true intentions became apparent under the shroud of night. With the lighting of a fire atop the mountains serving as a signal, the people of Panjpir executed their plan with precision. In a coordinated effort, they ambushed and vanquished the remaining Mughal soldiers, ensuring that justice prevailed.

This chronicle, known as the saga of the “Last Three Hundred Mughal Soldiers,” stands as a testament to the bravery and resourcefulness of the Utmanzai tribe and the Pashtun communities of the region, who safeguarded their land with unwavering determination.( ref: Pathans of Latter’s Days)(the story of Last Three Hundreds Mughals Soldiers). The Utmanzai are divided into Four sub-tribes (Akazai, Kannazai, Alizai and Sadozai). In 1750 they were called by Gujjars to help them against the Sikhs, Tareen and Tanoli. They moved from (Topi, Maini, Kotha and Kalabat) and returned victorious. Around 1750 they settled in the Valley of Tarbela (Morti, Mera, Gojra, Jattu, Chahar, Tahli, Loqmania, Dehri, Tandula, Tarpakhi, Dhal,Mohat ). Some of the tribes are also living in (, Kaya, Khabal) and (Khanpur) on the opposite side of Tarbela Valley. Some also moved to ('Khalabat , Pultaar , Daragri , Jamaa etc). Utmanzai are mostly located in (Topi, Kotha, etc) Some got settled in [[Swabi, Mardan , Charsada , ], Haripur and Khalabat Town Ship after they left their land during the creation of the Tarbela Dam.

Background

Utmanzai people migrated with their Yousafzai Mandanr tribe from Kabul during the 16th century, but they are also present in smaller numbers in parts of Afghanistan.

The Utmanzai tribe reside in Charsadda, Topi, Pak Kaya Hund, Kotha, Maini, Batakara in Swabi District, Abbottabad, Sari Pandori, Nara, Hazara, Khalabat Township, Haripur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan. In Punjab they are settled in Kasur District and on displacement after construction of Tarbela Dam, have settled in Attock, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Khanewal Districts of Punjab.

Mansehra[Oghi Shamdhara]

The Utmanzai hold the extreme east of the right bank of the River Indus, also settling in a small area in the south of the Gadoon valley, and early in the 17th century were called across the Indus by the Gujjars, Tareen Afghans and Shalmani (Dardic Tajik) of Hazara and Tarbella as allies against the Tanoli and appropriated the Gandgarh tract from Tarbela to the southern border of Hazara.The Allies of Tareen Afghans are Utmanzai (Akazai), the Allies of Shalmani (Dardic Tajik) are Utmanzai (Kannazai), and the Allies of Gujjars were Utmanzai (Alizai). The Utmanzai Tribesmen successfully expelled Tanoli's.

Prior to the 1960s, a huge population of Utmanzai tribe were living at the both sides of Indus river. People living there were migrated to different places in Pakistan due to the establishment of new Dam called Tarbela Dam near Tarbela Village. Most of them have settled in Haripur Khalabat Township. Some of them have settled in Punjab district Attock (Pak Kaya Swabi, Utmanabad, Pathankot, Islamkot, Sultanpur, Dareak). In Afghanistan, Utmanzai lives in Ghazni, Kandahar, Logar, Pakhtia, Helmand.

In the times of Ahmad Shah Durrani, Baba Said Khan, the head of the Said Khani family of the Utmanzai Pathans, held towns of Kalabat in Yusafzai area. He also founded Kalabat town to protect his possessions in Hazara. He was perpetually fighting with the Other Pashtun tribes such as the Tareens, but managed to hold his own and gradually to extend his estates. His grand grandson, Sadula Khan Alizai Said Khani, with others Allies Mansab Khan Kannazai(Tarbella) and Mohammad Khan Alizai Taherkheli(Ghazi) were one of the boldest opponents of the Sikhs, defeating Sardar Hari Singh at Nara Akazai Jagir in the Gandgarh hills, Hazara in the year 1824. A white pillar was put up by the British Major Abbott to mark the spot where Utmanzai and there retainers had fought and conquered.

The Majority of Gujjars and Shalmani (Dardic Tajik) and some Tareen and Alizai Afghans are expelled by Utmanzai Afghans i.e (Akazai and Kannazai) from Valley of Tarbella.

References

A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province: L.-Z, Volume 3, Atlantic Publishers & Dist, 1997, Horace Arthur Rose ISBN 8185297703, 9788185297705 532 pages