Tanoli
The Tanolies (also spelt Tanauli, Tanawali) are a prominent and famous Muslim tribe residing mainly in the Amb, Hazara district of NWFP Pakistan. They have a history that spans to the early 13th century since the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate. They have ruled the state of Amb of Hazara since the 13th century up until the vigorous rebellions against the Sikhs in the 19th century. They also allied with Ahmed Shah Abdali in his conquest of India. Many Khans and princes of their dynasty have gained mass popularity as heroes.
Renowned for their courage and fierce warlike nature, Charles Allen referred to them in his book "Men who made the North-West Frontier" referred to them as "the extremely hostile and powerful Tanolis of the Tanawal Moutains, brave and hardy and accounted for the best swordsmen in Hazara."
They were also the last ruling dynasty of the Princely State of Amb.
Origins and History
Pashtun Origin
One theory is that the people who came to be known as Tanolis came to be identified as such due to their link with a particular geographical setting in which they found themselves (i.e. Tanawal State) as a great majority of them were immigrants from across the River Indus from where they were pushed out, by Yousafzai from Afghanistan, as had happened before to the Swatis who also have a contested Pashtun/ Indian origin. This is not an unusual event. Throughout history collectives of individuals follow their kinfolk into territories where they come into conflict with already settled communities of their own background. It just so happens the newer arrivals always had success in ousting inhabitants who had settled there originally. In many accounts the Swatis have been called Pashtuns, non-Pashtuns and have been given a variety of indigenous Indian affiliations. The Tanolis have possibly suffered from similar fate. Dr Sher Bahadur Khan Panni has followed some the other commentators in agreeing with this explanation of Tanolis background.
Contemporary Tanolis are no longer a singular tribe but a collection of smaller groups which consists of those who call themselves Tanolis because they have resided in an area called Tanawal and those who are sub-groups, septs or clans of different Pashtun tribes representing major Afghan khels (sub tribes) in the State of Tanawal. The fact there is a great deal of diversity among Tanolis makes this view at least more plausible than other explanations offered so far. This view is shared by many major families in the area of Tanawal.
Many other Tanoli clans have disputed amongst themselves some of the theories of their origin. For example the Hassanals have always maintained that they are actually Hassanzais from the Kala Dhaka or Black Mountains - Tur ghar and adopted the nomeclature of the Tanoli area when they left their own areas, due to tribal feuds with other clans located there. The fact that there was also a non-Hassanzai group with that name did not matter as there are many sub-tribal names which are identical but with different tribal affiliations. This also seems quite plausible given the fact that Tanolis in Agror Valley, Mansehra and the surroundings speak Pashto as first language if not exclusively. This is documented in the first Hazara Gazetteer written soon after the settlement of Hazara by Captain James Abbott. This book also mentions the fact that the original language of the Tanolis was Pashto but some have forgotten it and now speak Hindko in areas where the majority speaks this language.
Tanoli clan names do not all follow the Pashtun style, such as end with khel or zai. Considering the case of Afridis, Mohmands, Waziris as prominent Pashtun tribes, who also don't follow this practice. Recently some Tanolis clans such as Mamakhel use the typical khel ending in their branch.
It would seem that there are among the Tanolis a great majority who have Pashtun heritage but also those who call themselves Tanolis because the area is more important for their identity than a Pashtun one. The majority still would back a Pashtun label as an ethnic identity. Previous erronous links have been made in the past, in relation to other Pashtun tribes when dubious links were made between Rajput and Pashtun tribal names by Sir Alexander Cunningham, author of the "History of the Sikhs", when he noticed some similarity between Rajput clan/caste names and Pashtun tribal appendages. This similarity doesn't constitute a foundation.
A recent article, The Herald (Karachi), on the ex-ruling family's residence in Shergarh, Tehsil Oghi, Distirct Mansehra, included ongoing debate as to whether they are of Barlas Mughal origin or Yousafzai roots but no mention of Janjua descendancy was made. However, considering the above points of the multi-tribe make up what is today a Tanoli, the Abbasid or Janjua link cannot be completely ruled out.
Infact the reason for this confusion could be explained from the Panjab Castes source, where it cites, "The remainder of the district (Hazara), that is the northern and central portion, is held by tribes which, whatever their origin, have by long association become assimilated with the Patháns in language and customs, the Jadún, holding the Dor valley from Bagra upwards to Mángal, the Tanoli holding the Tanawál tract in the west centre of the district between Abbottábád and the Indus, much of which belongs to the semi-independent Nawáb of Amb."
It is important to note here, that there is no record in the Yousafzai genelogical tree of a sub branch called Tanoli. Although a sub-branch of the Yousafzai tribe can be a resident of Tanawal and hence adopt this name. But pride of race is a strong Yousafzai trait, to change a family name into one denoting a geographical residence would seem dubious for any Pashtun tribe of such pride and prominence, as well as the lack of recorded geneological evidence to confirm this.
Janjua Origin
The first mention of Tanolis entering the North-West Frontier Province history is from the early 13th century when a Janjua conqueror Raja Mal Khan aided his sons conquest into different regions of Northern India. One of his sons, Raja Tanoli (also spelt Tanawali) conquered the region of what is today Hazara. He became Muslim before this conquest. (The Punjab Chiefs, Sir L.H.Griffin, Lahore, 1909,p214) (Journal of Central Asia Vol.XIII, No.1, July 1990, p79)
The Gazetteer of North-West Frontier Province (p138) records that "Tanawal state also known as Amb-Darband after its twin capitals, under its founder Raja Tanawli (also spelt Tanoli) extended its tentacles across the Indus to Buner in Swat and Bajaur in Dir.....Its real rulers (Tanolis) are divided into two steps, the Pul-al and Hando-al or Hind-wal. The former held the tract of the Siran, its chief founded Bir when the Mughal empire was decaying, but internal dissensions led to intervention of Kashmir. Meanwhile the Hind-wal spet had gained power and its chief Nawab Khan defied the Durranis, but met his death at the hands of Sardar Azim Khan in 1818. His son Painda Khan, played a considerable part in the history of his time and vigorously opposed the Sikhs, but lost his territory except the tract around Amb. On his death in 1840 his son Jahandad Khan recovered part of it through favour of Gulab Singh of Kashmir and the British Govt. Thus the present semi-independent estate comprises the territory formerly held by the Hind-wal Tanawalis. It has an area of 204 square miles, with population of (1901) of 31,622.....on the east by the Mansehra tehsil of Hazara District."
Raja Tanoli was succeeded by his son Amir Khan Tanoli. Amir Khan Tanoli was succeeded by his two son's, Hind Khan and Pal Khan. They are also both the apical ancestor of the Hindwal Tanolis and the Palwal Tanolis. These are two most prominent and recognised branches of the Tanoli.
However, beyond the Janjua records of this ancient account, we also find proof of the Tanoli Janjua presence in the State of Tanawal.
Janjua of Tanawal mentioned by Mughal Akbar;
During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar Darband was the name of the central headquarters of the State of Tanawal and is recorded in the famous book of Mughal Akbar's reign, Ain-i Akbari (Abu'l Fazl Allami, Eng Trans, HS JARRET, Delhi repr.1978, II, p327) thats the Janjua were chiefs and inhabitants of Darband. They were under orders to pay the Mughal Emperor a revenue of 3,100,00 in money and to maintain a "cavalry of 20, Infantry of 500 Janju'as." The sizeable proportion of their taxed revenue and the size of the Infantry would suggest a continued legitimately recognised dominance of the Janjua branch of Raja Tanoli in Tanawal since it's conquer in the early 13th century until Akbar's reign. An interesting point here, is that the word Tanoli was not used or represented in the Ain-i Akbari as a name for all resident tribes of The State of Tanawal.
Rebellious Janjua of Chach mentioned by Mughal Jahangir;
The Mughal Emperor Jahangir makes mention of a large predatory and unruly band of Januwánas (the recorded name of Janjuas by his script writers) in the Chach plain near Attock. This is better understood when one realises that the State of Tanawal is in the north east of [Chach]], clearly indicating their steady spread and rebellion in the region. (Punjab District Gazetteers, VOL XXVII, 1904, P93)
All the above prove a long and continued dominance and influence of Janjuas in the region of Tanawal.
The Janjua have been recognised as a highly warlike tribe with high pride of race (Panjab Castes, Delhi 2002, p149, p154). The powerful Khakha tribe of Kashmir ( descendants of Raja Khakha, the brother of Raja Tanoli) have retained their Janjua link and titles in true Janjua fashion, as have all the major branches of Janjua. [1]. The fact that this practice has not fully continued with contemporary Tanolis would indicate a major shift in tradition. This can be explained by the reference from Panjab Castes source, where it cites, "The remainder of the district (Hazara), that is the northern and central portion, is held by tribes which, whatever their origin, have by long association become assimilated with the Patháns in language and customs, the Jadún, holding the Dor valley from Bagra upwards to Mángal, the Tanoli holding the Tanawál tract in the west centre of the district between Abbottábád and the Indus, much of which belongs to the semi-independent Nawáb of Amb..." . This provides a plausible explanation to the current Pashtun confusion. It is later cited regarding the Barlas Mughal theory, "...there can be little doubt that they are of Aryan and probably of Indian stock. (Delhi, 2002, p93)
A branch of Tanolis, in the Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi regions still claim Janjua descendancy and also continue using their ancestral Raja title.
It appears that with the use of the term Tanoli by other tribes of Tanawal has today added a new dimension to the name Tanoli. The Janjua Tanolis are adamant of their descendancy and legitimacy to their ancestral name of Tanoli, and further disclaim other tribes claims to their ancestral name purely on the grounds of geographical residence of their ancestral kingdom.
Conclusion
All the above would indicate that the contemporary Tanoli is neither ancestrally or ethnically linked to other Tanolis. There appears to be a strong makeup of tribes of varying ancestry, from Mughal, Abbasid, [[[Janjua]] and Pashtun. Some tribal members allege one or the other, but all confirm a united link as a Tanawli/Tanoli.
It can be safe to assume that the term Tanoli is no longer applied to a single tribe anymore. It now denotes many tribes, residential of the state of Tanawal/Amb.link
Wars and Famous Personalities
The Yousafzai tribe came to Swat in approximately 1450AD and began fighting with tribes inhabiting Swat namely the Tanolis, Swatis and Dilazak. After several battles between the Tanolis and the Yousafzais, the Tanoli Chief Sultan Ameer Khan Tanoli was finally martyred whilst fighting with Yousafzais at Topi (near Swabi). The Tanolis were temporarily pushed to the eastern bank of river Indus.
Sardar Zabardast Khan/ Suba Khan Tanoli
In 1752AD the Tanoli Chief Sardaar Zabardast Khan allied with Ahmed Shah Abdali in his conquest of India. His renown was such, that he gained the title of Suba Khan from Ahmed Shah Abdali for his bravery in the historical battle against the Marathas at Panipat, where two hundred and fifty thousand strong army of Marathas were famously defeated by just sixty thousand of Abdali's soldiers and allied Muslim tribes. His later grandson, Mir Nawab Khan saw the Durrani empire crumbling and defeated the Durranis, thus freeing his kingdom of their control, however, in this battle he was killed by Sardaar Azim Khan.
Mir Sar-Buland Khan
During the Governorship of the Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa, Mir Sar-Buland Khan Tanoli, was very rebellious towards him. He allied with Mir Painda Khan and Muhammad Khan Tareen as well as chiefs of the Jadun tribes against them. Whilst engaged in one battle, Hari Singh Nalwa shot dead his son Sher Muhammad Khan. He continued his rebellion regardless and unrelented in his repeat incursions against them, though without success against the militarily superior opposition. At one point, he and Mir Painda Khan seiged and conquered Darband fort from the Sikh chief Sardar Gordat Singh.
Mir Painda Khan
Mir Painda Khan is famed for his staunch rebellion against Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Governors of Hazara. He was the son of Mir Nawab Khan, who defeated the Durranis and freed his kingdom from their influence.
From about 1813, he spent a life long rebellion against the Sikhs, who realising the potential of his rebellion, set up forts at strategic locations to keep him in check. Hari Singh Nalwa took this initiative during his governership.
Painda Khan's relentless rebellion against the Sikh empire, cost him a major portion of his Kingdom, leaving only his twin capitals Amb and Darband. However, this deterred him less and appeared to increase his resistance against the Sikh government.
The "District Gazetteer of the North-West Frontier Province" (p138) confirms, "Painda Khan, played a considerable part in the history of his time and vigorously opposed the Sikhs."
Mir Painda Khan set the tone for the regional resistance against Sikh rule. Men who made the North-West Frontier (Charles Allen, Abacus 2001, p139) attests, "There was a long history of conflict between Jehandad Khan's family and the Sikhs, and the name of his father Painda Khan, was said to be 'magic to the ears of the people of Hazara' because of the struggles he fought on behalf of his 'poor circumscribed and rugged principality' against the Sikhs. Abbot was aware that before his death Painda Khan had made his son (Jehandad Khan) swear never to trust his safety to any ruler."
Eventually, realising that the Heroic Tanoli Khan would not be subdued by force, General Dhaurikal Singh, commanding officer of the Sikh troops in Hazara, had Painda Khan poisoned to death in September 1844. He is still reverred in Hazara today as a Heroic Warrior King of the People.
In 1828 Mir Painda Khan gifted the State of Phulra to his brother Mir Madad Khan.
Mir Jehandad Khan
This Tanoli chief deserves special mention as the son of a famous Tanoli hero of Amb Darband Hazara, Mir Painda Khan.
It is mentioned in Men who made the North-West Frontier (Charles Allen, Abacus 2001, p139) that "Of all the tribal chiefs of Hazara, the most powerful said to be Jehandad Khan of the Tanoli, whose land straddled both banks of the Indus and whose fellow-tribesmen were 'brave and hardy and accounted for the best swordsmen in Hazara'. There was a long history of conflict between Jehandad Khan's family and the Sikhs, and the name of his father Painda Khan, was said to be 'magic to the ears of the people of Hazara' because of the struggles he fought on behalf of his 'poor circumscribed and rugged principality' against the Sikhs. Abbot was aware that before his death Painda Khan had made his son (Jehandad Khan) swear never to trust his safety to any ruler." This was a strong testament to the physical, political power and heroic background of the House of Tanoli which continued throughout the history of the tribes ancestry.
Mir Jehandad Khan is further mentioned in the same source as, "Jehandad Khan - a good looking young man of 26 years, tall and slender, with remarkably large and fine eyes - rode into Abbott's encampment surrounded by an escort of horsemen clad in shirts of mail and steel skull caps, handsomely mounted and equipped, who made a most picturesque display....the bystanders, who regarded the Chief with great awe, were thunderstruck.."
In 1852, Jehandad Khan was summonsed by the President of the Board of Administration (who travelled to Hazara to see the Khan) in relation to a murder enquiry of two British civilians in his lands. It is mentioned in the above source (p203,p204) that "Jehan Dad Khan, the head of the Clan, and his minister Boostan Khan...knowing himself charged for his life, with the air of a prince sat down....answered all questions in an easy off hand way that looked very much like innocence. I was glad when the examination was over and the men let go, for they had a following of five or six hundred men, all stalwart fellows who had accompanied their Chief..." The President ended the talk by threatening him that, "If you refuse to give up the murderers...I will come with an army to burn your villages and give your country to another." It is said that the Khan replied, folding hands and with some fun replied with his elders, "We should consider your presence (in our kingdom) an honour, but our country is a 'rather difficult one' for your army." This famed statement was the talk of the day and remembered by many locals of Hazara even to this day as a heroic answer to a staunch threat from a powerful official.
His son, Nawab Bahadur Sir Muhammed Akram Khan was conferred the title Nawab Bahadur by the British Raj.
Ayub Khan Tanoli
Pakistan Government Federal Minister Ayub Khan Tanoli was a famous personality during the early history of Pakistan and his daughter Kiran Tanoli is a successful TV actress as well as politically inclined like her father. She is the Youth Co-ordinator of North-West Frontier Province, fighting for youth and female rights and equality. She also received a Gold Medal from Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in 2005 for her work.
Tanolis Today
The last Nawab of the state of Amb was Nawab Salahuddin Khan who is the fourth in descendant grandson of Mir Jehandad Khan son of Mir Painda Khan of the Hindwal Tanolis. The dynasty of Raja Tanoli had ruled Tanawal/Amb state for centuries since the 13th century until 1973 when the royal status was abolished by the Pakistani Govt.
The majority of Tanolis reside in the former state of Amb in the Hazara division of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. They also make up approximate 11% of the population of Mansehra, 24% Abbottabad, Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan, Havelian and Sultanpur. A branch of the Tanoli tribe also reside in Kashmir mainly in Muzaffarabad. The famous ancestral forefather of this Kashmiri branch was Amir Mir-ullah.
Their main languages are Hindko Potohari, and Punjabi. Those living in Pashtun dominated areas also speak Pashto.
During 1974 many Tanolis migrated because of a Tarbela Dam, which the Pakistani Government started to construct, which caused some territorial damage to homes in their region.
Some Tanolis have migrated during colonial times to other areas of Pakistan such Potohar area of Gujar Khan and many have also migrated to the UK to contribute to the labour shortages after the 2nd World War.
References
- Chiefs and Families of Note in Punjab by Lepel H.Griffin (1910, ii, p254)
- Gazetteer of the North-Western Frontier Province p138
- Panjab Castes by Denzil Ibbetson, Delhi, p93
- Journal of Central Asia Vol XII, (July 1990), Prof.Ahmed Hasan Dani, July, 1990 p79
- Soldier Sahibs: The Men who made the North-Western Frontier by Charles Allen, Abacus 2001
- Tehreek e Janjua written by Muhammad Anwar Khan Janjua
- Chronicles of Early Janjuas by Dr Hussain Khan