Swati (Pashtun tribe)

Swatis(سواتی،pl.سواتیان)[1] are a tribe mostly inhabiting the Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan. They are mostly agriculturist and are the biggest proprietors in Mansehra and Batagram Districts (Garhiyan Villages and Feudal Tanawal excluded). [2] Swatis[3] are divided into four Sections each having many sub-sections. These Sections are: Gabri (گبری),[4] Mitravi (متراوی),[5] Mumyaali (ممیالی) and Toar (ٹوڑ). Swatis are considered as a tribe of Dehqan (Dehqân, Dahigān, دھقان) (not be confused with lit.husbandman/farmer)[6] [7][8] ethnic origins and speak both Pashto (at homes) and Hindko (in towns and urban areas). This tribe was Pashtunized due to numerous affinities with Afghans from Sarabani section.[9][10] Their code of conduct and customs are called 'Swatiwali'. 'Swatis' sometimes referred to as 'Suwadis' have also been styled as 'Servatis' in colonial books are normally orthodox muslims since Ghaznavid times and staunchly follow Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence. [2][11][12][13]

According to the Census Report NWF Province 1911, the tribe was counted as 33,000 individuals in Hazara District alone, excluding the Independent Territory of Battagram then known as Hazara Agency. [14]

Subsections and their locations

Swatis have following subsections, holding land share given against each (in British territory only prior to Independence of Pakistan):-

1. Khankhel (1) Nimakai land collectively in areas of Garhi Habibullah, Mansehra and Bherkund. 2. Sarkheli (2) Nimakai land collectively in areas Baffa, Balakot and Shinkiari. 3. Mirs including (a) Dodaal (1) Nimakai collectively in areas Shinkiari, Kaghan, Balakot and Bhogarmang (b) Panjghol (1) Nimakai collectively in areas Shinkiari and Kaghan (c) Panjmiraal (1) Nimakai in area Shinkiari.[15] 4. Deshraaes including (a) Jahangiri (1) Nimakai collectively in areas Mansehra and Bhogarmang (b) Arghushaals/Malakaals (1) Nimakai collectively in areas Shinkiari and Kaghan.(c) Iznaali/Mandravi (1) Nimakai in area Konsh.[16]

1. Ali Sheris (3) Nimakais collectively in the areas of Sherpur, Malakpur, Gidarpur, Tarihya. This tribe is further divided into (a) Khankhel Balasuri (unrelated to Khankhels of Garhi Habibullah) (b) Jalangiaal (c) Ranisiaal. 2. Beegaal (3) Nimakais in the area of Agror. This tribe is further subdivided into (a) Shamkori (b) Chojayee.[17]

  • Mumyaali (6) Nimakais collectively in areas of Trangi Sabir Shah, Khaki, Gulibagh, Nakot and Tikri. This tribe is further divided into (a) Sharor (b) Rabati (c) Panjkora (d) Shilmani (e) Ashlor (f) Naror (g) Toor Malakaal (h) Deshaan.[18]
  • Toar is the tribe that was located in then Independent Territory now mostly under Battagram district, therefore, wasn't surveyed in this Settlement 1872.[19]

- Nimakai is a Pushto / Dari word derived from Nim meaning half figuratively :share.

- Subtribe Khankhel mentioned at Serial 1 under Gabri in Upper Pakhal is considered to be a family adopted latter by the Tribe.

References
  1. Raverty H.G (1888). Notes on Baluchistan and Afghanistan:. Eyre And Spottiswoode, London.He has written in detail about Swatis. P51 52 117
  2. Hazara District Gazetteer 1883 and 1907.
  3. Mountstuart Elphinstone (1843). An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul:. Richard Bentley. The author has mentioned Swatis and Shilmani, his contact with Dehqan at Afghanistan. He has mentioned also Gabri and Laghmani languages offshoots of Dari being spoken at Kabul. P 415 P 417
  4. Mansour Shaki (2000). Gabri:. Iranica.
  5. Roger Beck (2002). Mitravi:. Iranica.
  6. Lambton 1988, p. 138 note 5.
  7. M. Longworth Dames; G. Morgenstierne & R. Ghirshman (1999). "AFGHĀNISTĀN". Encyclopaedia of Islam (CD-ROM Edition v. 1.0 ed.). Leiden, The Netherlands: Koninklijke Brill NV.
  8. Ahmed Tafazoli (1994). Dehqan:. Iranica.
  9. Tajik Swati by Prof.Akhtar
  10. Tazkira by Roshan Khan
  11. (History of Afghanistan) is a translation into Pushto of G.B. Malleson’s History of Afghanistan.
  12. Tareekh-i-Hazara by Panni.
  13. History of Afghans by Dorn B.
  14. Census Report NWF Province 1911
  15. Settlement Report 1872 by Capt. Wace
  16. Settlement Report 1872 by Capt. Wace
  17. Settlement Report 1872 by Capt. Wace
  18. Settlement Report 1872 by Capt. Wace
  19. Settlement Report 1872 by Capt. Wace
  • Baburnama by Emperor Zaheeruddin Babar translated by Beveridge, Annette Susannah, 1842-1929. A detailed version of Mir Haidar Ali Gabri Swati of Bajawar, Sultan Awais Swati and Sultan Aliuddin Swati.
  • History of Afghans by Dorn B. Part II P. 131
  • Tajik Swati and Gabr by Prof. Akhtar
  • Story of Swat as told by Miangul Abdul Wadood Badshah by Asif Khan. History of Swati Tribe and Swat at general.
  • Ethnogenesis and History of Swatis by Arif Hasan
  • Imperial Gazetteer of India P 319
  • History of the Pathans Vol. III by Brig. Haroon Rashid (R).

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