Bajawar is an independent district of Yaghistan, bounded north by Panjkora, east by the #UtmanKhels and #Momands, south by the #Momands, and west by the Kunar Range. The #UtmanKhels. The UtmanKhels are a tribe of _Pathans, who occupy the hills north of Peshawar, between the Mohmands and Ranizai, on both sides of the Swat ‘River, from the Koh-i-Moor to the Khanora Mountain. They are sub divided into five khels, Asil, Shamozai, Mandal, Alizai and Korej, from the Five sons of #Utman.
The #Utmankhels are a powerful clan. The Asil are considered the most powerful Khel of the whole, and can muster 10,00 matchlocks. The are chiefly resident of ambar and barang, which is attract of country on the right bank of swat river, divided from ambar by hills called Koh-I-Mor, after a ziarat of the name on the top. Arang is also on the same side of of the hills of barang, and us occupied by the mandals and Alizai. There are a few sails in the villages situated on the south side of the range.
The Shamozai #Utmankhel are divided over arang barang, muster 4000 strong. The Korej are also resident of arang. Some few mandals, however, reside at makhrani and Kolte, and few of the Alizai at shink serva mema. The #Utmankhel acknowledge no Khan, or head chief, as most afghan tribes do but the Malak of naodand, together with the malaks of prang Ghar, are two of the most influential men amongst them. This want chieftain is attributed to the emulation which exist between the various tribes to outstrip each other in prowess so that should a man be proposed to ba the Khan, the opposite khels immediately oppose him, and though be he considered so by his own people, he can never expect to become head man of the whole tribe. One of the most influential men amongst men amongest this people was Rahman Gull, Main kaka khel Resident of Abazai. He was held great veneration, being a Kaka Khel, or belonging to Great ziarat of that name in the Khattak country.
The whole of the country occupied by the #UtmanKhel tribe is hilly and difficult, with very few roads leading through it to Swat that a horse- man could travel by. It is generally well cultivated, and its chief products are the common articles of consumption, such as ghi, Indian corn, and rice, the harvest depending a good deal on periodical rains, The land which is under cultivation, is usually terraced and of a dark-colored soil.
The #UtmanKhel are in no way connected with any of the Afghan tribes which surround them, such as the Mohmands, Ranizais, Bajawaris, Swatis, &c., but look upon the Shinwaris, who inhabit the valley of that name, as their best friends; but taking into consideration the geographical position of each, and the fact of the Mohmands having been, till very recently, their enemies, it is difficult to imagine how their friendly intercourse could have been established and maintained.
The #Utmankhel have twice engaged with the Mohmand Once in 1827 and the second time in commencement of 1850. They are now on term of peace, and the people of the tribe mix with the others but there is no great friendship between them. In the event of one or the other having to leave his Vallage or country, as they frequently have to (as in cases of Murder), they always find protection it being rule among all afghan never to refuse it under such circumstances.
The direct road from abazai to ambar is most difficult, and only passable for footman. It crosses the hills to pindiali, which is situated at distance of some 18 km. There are however two other which are far preferable and much more used, being possible for camels. The first of is the chirow, or kripo, it is opposite to mitchanai where it enters the hills. The second is through the pass of sikandai, where is situated opposite the Vallage of Mata, but it is not so good as the chirow road.
The #UtmanKhels are described as tall, stout, and fair. They have frequent quarrels among themselves, and they are at feud with the #Tarkalanis. Their dress is like that of Bajawar, and in their customs with respect to women, they do not differ much from their neighbours. They are a sober people , and have none of the vices of the Yusafzais.
Baizai is inhabited by (1) Baizai Swatis, (2) Utman Khels, (3) Khataks,
The #Utmankhel Vallages are kui, barmol, mian Khan, sangao, Pipal, Kharkai and Ghazi Baba. barmol was formerly a Separate Vallage and now through amalgamation with kui, still has Separate sections and malaks.
A record of the expeditions undertaken against the North-west frontier tribes: compiled from the military and political despatches, Lieut.-Colonel McGregor’s gazetteer, and other official sources
Publication date 1874Topics India:British Occupation of India (1765-1947), Pakistan--Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, MinistryOfCulturePublisher Superintendent Of Government, CalcuttaCollection digitallibraryindia; JaiGyanLanguage English
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