Tanoli

Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, Commander in Chief of India, reviewing Amb State Guard, escorted by Ali Asghar Khan and Subedar Major Shah Zaman of Amb State Guard, Darband, 1941.

The Tanoli are a tribe of the Tanawal valley, Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Although not usually acknowledged as Pashtuns, the Tanoli have to an extent assimilated many Pashtun cultural features and become Pashtunified. Tribally allied with the Pathans,. The Tanoli participated in the frontier wars c. 1840s with the British and in Charles Allen's analysis of these wars were described as "extremely hostile" and "brave and hardy and accounted for the best swordsmen in Hazara.".

Though today the Tanawal area is part of the Hazara division, in the past the larger portion of it comprised the two semi-independent native states or principalities of Amb and Phulra, ruled over by Tanoli chiefs of the same family, c 1840s to 1972. Prior to that, the area or 'Ilaqa' of Tanawal had remained an independent territory for long, from c the 14th century to the 19th, with small pockets controlled by local chieftains and warlords of either the Hindwal section/sept or the Pallal (Suba Khani) section of the larger tribe. By the 18th century, however, the Hindwal section gradually began to gain ascendancy and came into a bitter struggle with the Suba Khani/Pallals, which finally resulted in the triumph of Mir Painda Khan, Hindwal Tanoli in the 19th century, thereby establishing him as the overlord of the Tanawal country.

The name "Tanoli" is derived from "Tanawal", and the word "Tanawal" derived from the name of the Tanawal tract in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, between Abbottabad and the Indus.

Most members of the Tanoli tribe reside in the former princely state of Amb but a sizeable number are also found in the Hazara Division of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, in the cities/districts of Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra. A branch of the Tanoli tribe also resides in Kashmir, mainly in Muzaffarabad and Srinagar. Some Tanolis are working and settled as far away as Karachi, Lahore and other parts of Pakistan.

Language

In the Hazara Division of Pakistan, the principal language of the Tanoli is Hindko. Tanolis living in Pashtun dominated areas speak Pashto, whereas many living in other parts of Pakistan have adopted Urdu.

Early British Census reports included several variant forms of the name: Taniwal, Tanole, Tanaoli, Tanol, Tol, Tholi, Tahoa, Tarnoli, Tanis, Tanai, Turnouli, Tanawali.

History

The Tanolis are supposed to have come from their original home somewhere in Central Asia, via Afghanistan, to their present territories, where they arrived and began to consolidate their hold by c the 14th century AD. By the late 19th century they had settled the Tanawal tract in the wide area between Abbottabad and the Indus, and in the extensive hill country between the river and the Urash plains.

According to the Settlement Report of Hazara, compiled by Major Wace (1872), the Tanolis, who eventually founded the states of Amb and Phulera, had already firmly established their authority over Tanawal by the 18th-19th centuries . The voluminous Urdu copy of the settlement report of Hazara contains many passages in its historical resume of the area. In a number of maps drawn at the time and enclosed in the report, showing Hazara under the Mughals and under the Durranis, the Amb state has been shown as 'Mulk-i-Tanawal'. The original existence of that Mulk is as old as the middle period of the great Afghan invasions of India.

The Tanoli are divided into two major sub-tribes: the Hindwal and the Pallal. The former occupies the northern portion of the Tanawal tract, and, until the dissolution of the princely states in 1972 constituted the semi-independent principalities of Amb and Phulra.. During the early period of their settlement in Tanawal area, the tribe was not united but divided into several septs and clans under their various chieftains each with its own zone of influence; and in the 18th and early 19th ceturies two of the main sections of the tribe, the Hindwal and Pallal, fought a long drawn out and bitter struggle, before Mir Painda Khan, Hindwal, was able to unite them into one forceful entitiy-- eventually to become Amb and Phulera states, ruled by his descendants and those of his younger brother Madad Khan, respectively.

Apical ancestor

As is also the case for all other ethnic groups of the region, tracing their lineage to an apical ancestor is crucial to the Tanoli's sense of identity.

The Tanoli consider themselves to descend from one Amir Khan, a Barlas Mughal who (so says their tradition) arrived in the Tanawal valley with his sons around 1500, having crossed the Indus river to get there. ; but it seems more probable that they came somewhat earlier during the 14th century at the time when various Turkic invaders were attacking and conquering 'Hindustan' ( India).

This claim of descent of Tanolis is also mentioned in The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China, and Australia (1841), in the following words; "There is one chief who, though not a Eusofzye, yet from his position in the midst of, and intimate connection with, the Eusofzyes, and his singular history and character, must not be omitted in a description of the Eusofzye country. Paieendah Khan, of Tanawul, is a Mogul of the Birlas tribe, the same from which the Ameer Timoor was descended. All record of the first settlement in Tanawul of his family is lost, and it has long ago broken off all connection with the other branches of the Birlas, which are still to be found in Turkestan."

The Imperial Gazetteer of India also confirms this line of descent; it states, "Its (Tanawul's) real rulers, however, were the Tanawalis, a tribe of Mughal descent divided into two septs, the Pul-al and Hando-al or Hind-wal."

The Sikh records of the region also confirm this line of descent of the Tanolis. They state, "The family of Paeendah Khan is a branch of the Birlas, a Mogul House, well known in history. All record of its first settlement in Tanawul is lost. It may perhaps have been left there by the Emperor Baber. Among the list of whose nobles, the name Birlas is found."

This claim of descent has also been mentioned by Wikeley, J. M, who writes "The Tanaolis claim descent from Amir Khan, a Barlas Moghal (in fact not a Mughal/Mongol but a Turk), whose two sons Hind Khan and Pal Khan crossed the Indus about the end of the 17th century, from the country round Mahaban, and settled in the Mountainous area now held by them and named after the tribe — Tanawal.

While the Barlas Turkic descent of the Tanolis is the most commonly held and believed, other theories also exist, which link them to either (a) Afghan/Pashtun descent and (b) Abbassi origins, variously. It would be perhaps right to concur with the commentary to the 1881/1891 census that "...there can be little doubt that they are of [Indo-Iranian or Indo-European origin] and probably of Indian stock."

Hereditary Tanoli rulers of Amb

Tenure	Rulers of Amb (Tanawal)
unknown date - 1803	(Mir) Haibat Khan
1803 - 1805	(Mir) Hashim Ali Khan (son of the above and brother of the following)
1805 - 1809	(Mir) Nawab Khan
1809–1844	(Mir) Painda Khan
1844–1868	(Nawab) Jahandad Khan
1868–1907	(Nawab) Muhammad Akram Khan
1907 - 26 February 1936	(Nawab) Khanizaman Khan
26 February 1936 - 1971	(Nawab) Muhammad Farid Khan
1971–1972	(Nawab) Muhammad Saeed Khan (last Nawab of Amb)
1972/73	(Nawabzada) Salahuddin Saeed Khan

British assessments

The Tanoli were counted amongst the martial races, an ideology based on the assumption that certain ethnic groups are inherently more militarily inclined than others. It was a term originally used by the British, who observed that the Scottish Highlanders were more fierce in battle than others in Britain, and extended this concept to India. They have many Pashtun customs and take much pride in their dress, language and appearance.

The Tanolis support themselves almost exclusively by agriculture, and their principal food is unleavened bread with buttermilk and butter; but fowls, eggs, fish, and game are also articles of diet.

Of those who live in the hills, many are as fair as Italians, with eyes of light hazel or greyish blue, and frequently brown hair and reddish beards. Those who live on the low-lying lands near the Indus are darker. All are stout and active men, and have the reputation of being good soldiers.

They are hardy and simple in their habits, generally free from the vices of thieving and debauchery; but credulous, obstinate, and unforgiving.

Religiously; they are overwhelmingly Muslims of the Sunni sect.

Sub-tribes

The Hindwal and Pallal are the major divisions of the tribe. The further sub–divisions of the tribe are :

• Hindwal
  • Jamal; Charyal, Ledhyal, Abdwal, Khankhail
  • Saryal; Lalal, Hedral, Baizal
  • Jalwal
  • Bohal
  • Baigal
  • Tekral
  • An sal
  • Masand
  • Rains

• Pallal
  • Labhya (Suba Khani)
  • Matyal
  • Bainkaryal
  • Dairal
  • Sadhal
  • Judhal
  • Baigal
  • Tekral
  • Asnal
  • Masand
  • Rains

• Bhujal

Tanolis at the Third Battle of Panipat

The Tanolis also allied with Ahmad Shah Abdali in The Third Battle of Panipat which took place on January 14, 1761 at Panipat (Haryana State, India) where they decisively defeated 250,000 strong army of Marathas with an army of only 60,000 soldiers, from allied tribes. The Tanoli Chief Sardar Zabardast Khan was given the title of Suba Khan by Abdali, for his bravery in the historical battle.

Tanoli Resistance against the Sikhs

Mir Painda Khan, was a powerful Tanoli, son of Mir Nawab Khan (see list above), who is famed for his rebellion against Maharaja Ranjit Singh's governors of Hazara and united the Tanolis under his authority. Painda Khan "played a considerable part in the history of his time and vigorously opposed the Sikhs." From about 1813, Mir Painda Khan spent a life long rebellion against the Sikhs. Hari Singh Nalwa, the Sikh Governor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Hazara, took the initiative during his governorship of setting up forts at strategic locations to keep Painda Khan in check. Painda Khan's rebellion against the Sikh empire cost him a major portion of his fiefdom, leaving only the tract around Amb,. This increased his resistance against the Sikh government. Eventually, General Dhaurikal Singh, commanding officer of the Sikh troops in Hazara, had Painda Khan poisoned to death in September 1844. Painda Khan is still revered in Hazara today for his role as a freedom fighter. Major J. Abbott commented that 'During the first period of Painda Khan's career, he was far too vigorous and powerful to be molested by any neighbouring tribe, and when he began to fail before the armies and purse of the Sikh Government, he was interested in keeping upon the best terms with his northern neighbours of the Black Mountains and to whom he allowed the privillege of pasture in the small Tupa of Turrowra.' He is further described by him as, 'a Chief renowned on the Border, a wild and energetic man who was never subjugated by the Sikhs.'

Sardar Jehandad Khan son of Painda Khan also fought hard against the Sikhs. It was said, "Of all the tribal chiefs of Hazara, the most powerful [was] said to be Jehandad Khan of the Tanoli."

When Sikh power was on the decline in 1845 Jehandad Khan blockaded the garrisons of no less than 22 Sikh posts in Upper Tanawal; and when they surrendered at discretion, he spared their lives, as the servants of a fallen Empire. "The act, however, stood him afterwards in good stead; for, when Hazara was assigned to Maharaja Golab Singh, that politic ruler rewarded Jehandad Khan's humanity with the jagir of Koolge and Badnuck in Lower Tannowul."

Tanoli Relations with British Empire

The British Empire's first contact with the Tanolis was an unpleasant one, as in 1852, Jehandad Khan was summoned by the President of the Board of Administration in relation to a murder enquiry of two British officers supposedly in his lands but he managed to show his innocence and consolidate his position with the British administration.

The British Government since then considered Upper Tanawal as a chiefship held under the British Government, but in which, as a rule, they did not possess internal jurisdiction. The Chief managed his own people in his own way without regard to British laws, rules or system. This tenure resembled that on which the Chiefs of Patiala, Jhind, Nabha, Kapurthala and others held their lands.

Role in the Kashmir Conflict of 1947-48

Nawab Muhammad Farid Khan sent an army of 1500 Amb State soldiers under the leadership of Subedar Major Shah Zaman Khan to take part in the Kashmir Liberation Movement from 1947 to 1948 (Kashmir Conflict). The Amb State force carried its own artillery to the battle. They fought bravely alongside other frontier tribesmen and came under fire by the Indian airforce just three kilometers from Baramulla sector. Around 200 Amb State soldiers lost their lives in the battle.

Some Other Notable Tanolis

• Muhammad Ayub Khan Tanoli former Law and Education Minister.
• Nawabzada Salahuddin Saeed Khan
• Subedar Major Shah Zaman Khan
• Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Indian film actors
• Akbar Khan (director), Indian film actor, screenwriter, producer and director,

References

• Districts of Afghanistan#Faryab Province Andkoi, the real place of Migration from Afghanistan.
• [2], Travel & tour information of Afghanistan .

Sources

• Also referred here Pashtun tribe mentioned are Pashtun [3]

• Allen, Charles (2001), Soldier Sahibs: The Men Who Made the North-west Frontier, New York: Abacus, ISBN 0-349-11456-0 .

• Bonarjee, P. D. (1899), A Handbook of Fighting Races of India, Calcutta: Thacker Spink  (fasc. 1975, New Delhi: Asian Publication Services).

• Burns, Richard, ed. (1908), Imperial Gazetteer of India, 23 (new ed.), Oxford: Clarendon , p. 219.

• Lethbridge, Roper (1893), The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled or Decorated, of the Indian Empire, London: Macmillan  (fasc. 2001 New York: Elibron/Adamant).

• Oliver, Edward Emerson (1890), Across the Border: Pathan and Bilochi, ???????: ???????? .

• Scott, George Batley (1928), Afghan and Pathan: A Sketch, ???????: ??????? .

• Rose, Horace Arthur (1911), A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province: Based on the Census Report for the Punjab, 1883, by the late Sir Denzil Ibbetson, K.C.S.I., and the Census Report for the Punjab, 1892, by Sir Edward Maclagan, K.C.I.F, C.S.I., 3 (L-Z), Lahore: Government Printing House  (fasc. 1990 New Delhi: Asian Educational Services) (online version of facsimil, pages 216 256, 454)

• Watson, H. D., ed. (1883/4), Gazeteer of Hazara District, London: Chatto & Windus .