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| Language | Personalities | Sites & Sounds | Tribes | Pictures | Music | Videos | Betak | |
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Lakki Marwat 1.0 Geographical location District Lakki Marwat is situated in the southern part of NWFP between Bannu and DI Khan districts, extending from 32 –17 to 32 – 53 North Latitudes and 70 - 23 to 71 – 16 East Longitudes. 2.0 Boundaries (See Map) Lakki Marwat is bounded on the north by Bannu and Karak districts, on the east by Mianwali district of Punjab, on the southeast by DI Khan, on the southwest by Tank and on the west by tribal area adjoining Tank district and South Waziristan Agency [1]. The Marwat tribe resides in this district. "Before 1901, the boundary of the Marwat territory was touching the Khattak territory up to village Alamshiri on the north, Shumoni and Ahmadzai Wazir on the Northwest, to the West with Bannu near village Mama Khel, Rehmanzai Wazir near Sradarga, with District Tank Mullazai village, to the South near Kotka Sher Khan and Kotka Jamal and the East with Niazis near Dara Tang." After 1901, Almost twelve miles area of Lakki Marwat was amalgamated with Dera Ismail Khan and some villages were annexed to Tank District. Now the average width of the area from north to south is thirty-seven miles and the average length from east to west is fifty miles [2]. Mountstuart Elphinston, an eminent British statesman and adventurer, was, probably, the first foreigner who had visited this area in 1809-10. He testified to the fact of Lakki Marwat (city) being on the right bank (southern side) of river Gambilla, in a map given in his Book, “An Account on the Kingdom of Cabul.” [3] 3.0 Area Most of the Pashtoons trace their origin from Qais. It
is said that he had gone to Mecca where the holy Prophet (PBUH) gave him the
name of Abdur Rashid. Due to his piety, decency, wit and wisdom he was widely
known and respected in the area [4]. Abdur
Rashid (Qais) had three sons. Named Baittan, Ghorghust and Sarban. Baittan was
the third. Most of the Pashtuns tribes trace their origin from Sheikh Baittan or
Bait Baba. Some theoreticians consider that before the coming down of the Saka tribes of Aryans from the Central Asia, people were already living in the area now called Afghanistan. Those people were skilled in fighting and diplomacy that compelled the invaders to mention them in their epics [5]. 4.1 Baittan Baba Baittan baba was a puritan and pious saint of this region. His daughter, named Matto, was married to one Syed Shah Hussain, known as a prince of Persia. In a state of distress, Shah Hussain came to seek the blessing of Baittan Baba. Here, he took to worship and prayers and earned the favour of his mentor. The marriage of Shah Hussain and Matto generated some romantic stories. The oft-repeated story says; "A Persian prince, Shah Hussain, on account of intense penury and indigence, was driven to the necessity of seeking succour from Bait Baba. He also remained engaged in singing hymns and worship. Finally, he was enamoured of the beautiful tresses of a beautiful maiden, the daughter of the Bait Baba. He fell deeply in love with the Baba’s daughter, captivating belle. Bulk of work of piety did not thwart the emotions of love to avoid the scandal of their secret marriage. The first issue of Bibi Matto was named as Ghalzae, the thief son, and the other was named Ibrahim Lodhi". [6] "One day, Ibrahim brought meal to his grand father, Baittan, who was so pleased that he uttered these words for him "loe-day" (he is a great one). This word later on became on Lodhi." [7] Shah Hussain had another wife; name Mahi. She was the daughter of Kaaghdoar who was a Karlanee Pashtoon. The offspring of these two (Mahi and Matto) were known as Mathi tribes [8]. Some other scholars believe that the name of the tribes became popular after the name of Bibi Matto. Shah Hussain, a Persian Prince, was a Syed. Due to the atrocious attitude of the Umayya and Abbasid dynasties, many Syed families immigrated and settled in Persia and Khurasan (other parts of Afghanistan). On account of the defaulting attitude of the rulers towards the Sadat, the puritans kept their identity secret. It is just possible that predecessors of Shah Hussain, although Syed they were, might have arrogated for themselves the status of “Princes' of Persia”. But in common parlance, Pukhtuns call a Syed as Bacha or Shahji (king) owing to deference. Bibi Matto had six sons. Amongst them, Ghalzai and Ibrahim Lodhi became more famous. Genealogical tree (Placed at Annexure A) shows that Ibrahim Lodhi had three sons; each founding a sub tribe after his respective name. Among those sub tribes, the Lohani became more famous. Marwats are descendants of the Lohani sub tribe. They are subdivided into four clans (also known as Khels) known as Salars, Tappay, Mussa and Nuna [9]. Some writers reject this theory and try to malign the pious person of Baittan Baba. Raverty leads the Group that has spared no chance to sling mud on this noble personality. Disparagement of such a pious man in fabulous stories is highly objectionable and does not appeal to the sound mind. The romantic story of Shah Hussain and Bibi Matto is a creative ingenuity. Shah Hussain was allowed to live in the house of Baittan. He won the heart of his host who felt strong desire to give daughter’s hand in marriage to him. The Marwats form one of the four Great sub-tribes of the Lohani tribes and are also known as Speen Lohani (white Lohanis). However, it is evident that the Marwat and the rest of Baittan tribes are the combination of the three best ancestries of Asia. In their veins, flows the Persian, the Israeli and Turkish Blood. The history of the Marwat tribe is old, interesting and revealing. The recent research in the field highlights a fascinating story of this tribe, The Lineage of this tribe goes back to the Pre-Islamic era [10]. Following interpretations have been made in this connection by Dr Chiragh Hussain in his book Dood-e-Chiragh:
4.2 Exodus from Katawaz The original homeland of the Marwat's was Katawaz, South of Ghazni in Afghanistan. Now the Sulaiman Khel Tribe occupies this land [12]. The Marwats migrated to Daman (present day Tank) and settled in this area. Under the stress of adverse circumstances some of them moved to other lands in the subcontinent. Writers have expressed different views regarding the exodus of this tribe from Katawaz. One version goes as: "A petty servant of the Sulaiman Khel tribe abducted a woman form the house of Azad Sultan Khel and sought asylum with the Marwat Tribe; who provided asylum to them under their convention (Nanawati). The Sulaiman Khel demanded extradition and handing over of the culprits, which the Marwat declined as they were bound by traditions to protect the honour and life of refugees under their protection. [13] On refusal of several requests, the Sulaiman Khel were left with no other option but to attack the Marwats with full force. The Marwat were strong enough to withstand and repulse their initial attack. Then the Sulaiman Khel sought the help of other clans of the Ghilzai tribe, who answered the call positively. The combined force of the Ghilzai clans overpowered the Marwat tribe. To avoid the constant threat from the rival clans, the Marwats decided to migrate to some remote parts. Hence their subsequent migration to the Daman Area."[14] We cannot ignore the fact that permanent settlement in
old days was difficult. The whole tribe travelled and settled at places where
better grazing grounds were found. Furthermore, as “might is right” goes, tribes
with less fighting strength had to leave the place for stronger invaders. The
Marwat, being less in number, migrated to safer places; Hence their migration to
the Tank area. Bahlol Lodhi’s call for getting land (Jagirs) in Hindustan was warmly received here. Khawas Khan Marwat was one of the famous Generals in Sher Shah’s reign. He had lost his life during the war of succession won by Salim Shah Suri.” [15] According to an account, the settlement period of the Marwat in the Daman area is probably during the reign of Lodhis. Sir Denzil Ibbitson does not agree to it. In his view the Marwat settled here in the reign of Moghul Emperor Akbar. [16] However, their stay in the Daman area was not long. They took new feuds on distribution of water with the Raees (Chief) of Tank, Shah Nawaz Khan Katti Khel. The Katti Khels were also their cousins. Marwats came around Tank and were in a position to drive the Katti Khels out of it. However, Shah Nawaz Khan sought help from the Gandapur and Mian Khel families and repulsed the Marwat attack. As a result, they were driven out of Daman and forced to migrate towards the Baeena Pass (Dara Pezu). [17] Thus for one reason or the other they migrated to Daman and then Pezu via Gomal Pass. “Most of them ultimately settled in Tank with Niazis (also a branch of Lodhi group) who had been in the past driven in the same manner from their original lands”. [18] 4.3 Arrival Period Mira Jan Sayal (M.J. Sayal) writes in his book "Da Pukhtano Qabilo Shajare" that, " The Marwat arrived in this area during the early years of the reign of the Mughal King Akbar (1556-1605). They took advantage of the internal dissension among the Niazis, expelled them from this area and settled on the right bank of river Gambilla. Mayar, a branch of Niazis, sought help from the Marwat against its fellow Niazis Clan, Sarhang. The Marwat attacked the Niazis under Malik Qatal Khan and other Maliks. In a severe battle near Tatti Michan Khel, the Niazis were completely defeated and pushed towards Esa Khel. Among them, only the Michan Khels were spared due to their neutrality and religious position."[19] With the conquest of such a vast area, the Marwats dropped the idea of taking back Tank form Shah Nawaz Katti Khel, who extended his hand for friendship. This was accepted for the sake of guarding that Frontier. [17] 4.4 Occupation of Lakki Marwat For some time the Marwats confined themselves to pastoral pursuits. When their number increased, groups of families went out of the close settlement and spread over the vast plain - each within rather undefined limits of the allotment of the section to which it belonged. Such groups in turn became centres from which further migration took place. Thus in course of time the whole plain became populated. A large proportion of the Marwat settled down as agriculturists. Each community cultivated and held its land according to the "Wesh Tenure". [20] During the Mughal period, the Marwats; being little interrupted by others and being strong and united enough to defy any encroachment by other neighbouring tribes, enjoyed the singular good fortune of being left to themselves, and this developed and worked out their ancient communal institutions. Meanwhile, the Mughal Empire, which was already on decline received a deathblow as its province on the right bank of the Indus River was conquered by Ahmed Shah Durani in 1756. The whole territory of the Marwats came under the Kingdom of Afghanistan. It was ruled by the Durani King for more than 70 years; although practically they remained independent. In fact, this area was not regularly occupied because at that time, the Marwats lived a nomadic life. When attacked from any side they would simply migrated towards the hills with all their goods and cattle. During such visitations the material loss was not great, as those who led nomadic pastoral life retired with their flocks and herds into the hills, and those who tilled the soil either remained with the royal revenue collectors or fled to the hills. Thus beyond a partial destruction of his crops, no Marwat lost much as the stay of the Kabul troops was never long and the burning of his house only gave him an extra trouble of procuring a few ox-loads of reeds from the marsh and twigs from the jungle and building a hut of them. In the words of Ghulam Habib Afghani, for the Marwats, the capturing of such a vast area was greater than their needs and they did not feel sorry for Tank which they had lost earlier to Shah Hussain [21]. This vastness of land was the reason why there was no internal conflict. But the Niazis and the Ghazni Khel Khattaks from the east, and Kati Khel, Sulaiman Khel Wazir and Mahsoods from the south repeatedly attacked the Marwats. But due to their unity, they succeeded every time to repulse these attacks. They opposed any type of intervention from any tribe till Edward took the whole area under his control for his political objectives. [22] The Marwats fought almost sixty battles against different tribes for safeguarding their frontiers. Sarfaraz Khan Khattak admits this fact in his book, “Tareekh-e-Khattak”. 4.5 Disunity and Division 4.5.1 Gund bazi (tribal jealousy) Unluckily this unity could not remain for a long time. The Marwats were divided into two gawands (groups) known as Speen-Gund (the white group) and Tor-Gund (the black group). This division among the Marwats is known as Gund Bazi (internal rivalry). The Speen-Gund includes Mama Khel, Begu Khel, Maidad Khel etc, whereas the Tor Gund includes Isa Khel, Ghazni Khel, Adam Zai, Tatter Khel etc. Initially all Maliks accepted the eldest man as the leader and considered his decision final and followed that. During the conflicts with Ghiljis, Wazirs, Dawars, Masoods, Niazis and Daulat Khels, decisions were taken by the headman and they were obeyed. However, in the wake of Gund Bazi the Marwat clans split into two groups. The leader of each Gund was supported by the allied Maliks. Basically the Gund Bazi started with a conflict between Begu Khels and Isak Khels. Maidad Khels joined the Begu Khel Gund and Ghazni Khel joined the Isak Khel Gund. Meena Khels held an important position due to their occupation of the Lakki City. The Gund Bazi started when Salar Khan Maidad Khel; being proud of his Maliki (Chieftancy) tried to destabilize the Maliki of Sikandar Khan Azghar Khel with respect to Lakki City. Sikander Khan along with Sadar Khan Isak Khel attacked Salar Khan near village Dalo Khel (presently located on Tajazai-Lakki Highway). Salar Khan, his two brothers and five other men were killed. As a result of this Gul Rang Khan; son of Saleem Khan Miandad Khel became the Malik. He was bold, courageous and dashing and he fought several battles against the Khattaks. Another Malik who was aspiring to share the Maliki with Gul Rang Khan was Gulan Khan of Tatter Khel. Gul Rang Khan had him killed on the plea that Gulan Khan showed cowardice during the Khattak campaign. When Almar Khan Isak Khel came to Samand Khan Begu Khel, he sided with Gulrang Khan. From that time, the Marwat tribe was divided into two groups. “Any type of attack on one man was considered an attack on the whole Gund and it was responded to by the whole Gund. The whole Gund became a party to the happiness and sadness of a member of his own Gund”. [23] In the words of Ghulam Habib Afghani, other tribes took great advantage of this disunity because a lot of money and resources were spent on the procurement of weapons. Due to this Gund Bazi, Nawab Hafeez Ahmed Khan of Mankera was invited in 1819 to capture this area and secure taxes. Later on, the Nawab abandoned this area in favour of the Sikhs in 1823. [23] 5.0 The People The district is inhabited by the Marwat tribe. The majority of the Marwats reside in and around Lakki Marwat, which had been a Tehsil of District Bannu for more than 132 years. A small proportion of other tribes also settled here. The main reason is that the area had remained economically un-developed through the ages and had a little attraction for new settlers. The people of the Marwat tribe are strong, sturdy, and tall, of very sound physique and fair complexion. About the people of this area Sir Herbert says, “the Marwat descend from the pure and nice generation of the trans-Indus area, tall, stout, handsome, candid with rosy cheeks generally. These entire features are due to their pure and nice Afghan origin and probably this is the reason that they are very dignified and generous and meet the strangers with great courtesy, They are very generous towards their woman folk as compared to the other tribes of Pathans”. [24] Like other Pashtoons, Marwats are divided into numerous Khels. The tribe is territorially divided into three great Tappas, viz, Dreplara, Musakhel-cum-Tappi, and Behram (subdivided into minor tappas Umar Khan Khel and Tatezai) The two branches of Salar, i.e. Khado Khel and Achu Khel, along with Aba Shaheed Khel Sadat family, are known as dreplara. (Children of three parents). According to the distribution of land (Wesh System), Tappa Musa Khel and Noona Khel settled in the western part of Lakki Marwat. Behram in the middle and Dreplara in the eastern part. Since most of the territory occupied by the Musa Khel (Kot Kashmir, Gandi Khan Khel. Mama Khel, Bayist Khel, Takhti Khel, Bragi, Shatoora), Noona Khel and Tapey is Pakha (solid) area, therefore they are called Pakha Marwat (Solid Marwat). The area occupied by Dreplaree is sandy. Hence they are called Saga Marwat (Sandy Marwat). Some important Khels are:
Besides these, Abad Khel Syeds, Machin Khel, Sarhang Niazis and Mula Khels (tracing their descent form Hazrat Bilal RA) are scattered among the Marwat tribes, and for all practical purposes, are considered as Marwats. [25] References:
Annexure: Related Reading: ¯²{{{{²¯ |
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