Karlal

The Karlal (Urdu کرڑال also known as Kard'al, Karaal, Karhral, or Kiraal) is a Hindko speaking tribe in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This tribe is settled in Abbottabad and Haripur districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The Karlals trace their descend from one Kral/Kallar Shah, who is believed to be a descendant of the Saka Tribe. Kral/Kalar Shah is believed to have migrated from Takht-e-Kalar, which is in the Lorestan Province of modern day Iran to Afghanistan before migrating to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In Haripur and Abbottabad, they are known as 'Sardars' (chiefs) because prior to the time of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1296) they were among the original 'sardars' (meaning leaders) of this area. Today, the majority of the people of the Karlal tribe are Sunni Muslims. Although the Sardari-system is now obsolete, the name prevails due to extensive usage by local people, including other tribes who prefer to refer Karlals as sardars. The indigenous origins of the Karlal are mentioned both in the census reports of Ibbetson and Rose as well as in the Hazara District Gazetteers of 1884, 1907 and others, compiled during British rule.They are extensively distributed in hilly areas of Abbottabad District known as Gallies or Galyat.

Later History

As per 'Wajab Ul Arz' of 1874 compiled by British authorities, the Karlal tribe throughout history tried to retain their independence. During the Mughal era, when the Gakhar tribesmen were trying to extend their authority in the entire lower Hazara, the leader of Karlal tribe Morcha Kulli Khan killed the Gakhar chief and retained his tribe's independence. Turks were also never able to extend their authority over this tribe although enjoying suzerainty over large portion of Pakhal Sarkar at that time. During the Durrani period, no attempt was made by the Afghan rulers to subdue the Karlal territory. However, when the Sikhs captured lower Hazara, they tried to gain control over the entire lower Hazara region including the Karlal territories.

In 1822 Ranjit Singh sent a large force under General Amar Singh Majitha, which was defeated by the Karlals, killing Amar Singh. Lepel Griffin writes in his book about this battle of Sumandar Khata. From 1822 to 1845 Karlal tribe fought many battles with Sikhs and was able to retain its independence throughout the Sikh period. In 1844 once again Lahore Darbar sent a large force under Diwan Mulraj and Hari Singh to subdue the Karlal country. Taking advantage of the terrain, the Karlals were able to defeat the Sikh army at a place called Nah, and killed more than 150 Sikh soldiers.

During the British period at the time of mutiny in 1857, the Karlal tribe tried to revolt against the rule of the East India Company, however, the British were able to imprison the Karlal chief, and many mutineers of this tribe were hanged along with some Dhund tribesmen (Mutiny Reports 1857 of Hazara District). The British had to establish the five cantonments of Bara Gali, Nathia Gali, Dunga Gali, Changla Gali and Ghora Gali in the small Karlal territory in order to keep this tribe subdued, along with the construction of a road, which started immediately after the war of independence of 1857.

Notable people

• Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan (Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan & Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court)
• Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Hazarvi (Founder of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat)
• Haider Zaman Khan (former Nazim of Abbottabad District Council, Founder of Tehreek-e-Sooba-Hazara)

Further reading

• Tareekh-E-Frishta
• Tareekh-E-Hazara by Badhar Khan
• Tareekh-E-Bani Aees by Sardar Iqbal Khan