User:Sabir Khan Akazai

Akazai is a Pakhtoon (or Pashtoon; Pathan) tribe of northern Pakistan. It is a division of the Isazai clan within the Yousafzai tribe, which is regarded as one of the most powerful, famous, and respected tribes of Pashtoons. Military historian Colonel Harold Carmichael Wylly provided a personal perspective of the large Yousafzai tribe, stating:-

"The Yousafzai is an agriculturist, generally a fine, well-limbed man of a good physique and appearance with great deal of race-pride, well dressed and cheery, while his hospitality is proverbial".[1]

Origin Edit The Akazais are considered to be a tribe among the Black Mountain (Tor Ghar) Tribes, a division of the Isazai clan of the Yousafzai tribe.[2] They are the descendants of Aka, the son of Isa (Isazai), and the grandson of Yusaf/Yousaf/(Yousafzai).[3] The Akazais are further divided into four sections with each section having two or more sub-sections.[4]

Sections and sub-sections Edit Sub Clan Section Sub-section (Khel) Akazai Painda Khel Awal Khel, Jogi Khel and Lal Khel

	Barat Khel	Biba Khel, Chamba Khel, Khan Khel and Shahi Khel
	Tasan Khel	Akozai, Ghazi Khan and Mamuzai
	Aziz Khel	Darza Khel, Sain Khel, Kala Khel

Demographics Edit The majority of the Akazai tribe (approximately 35,000) occupies the western slopes of a mountainous region known as Tor Ghar (meaning "Black Mountain"). Akazais also inhabit a portion of the crest of Tor Ghar on the northern side of Hassanzais. On their eastern side is part of Agror, to the north are Chagharzais (Nasrat Khel and Basi Khel) while to the west is the famous Indus River. The southern face of Machai Sar ("Peak"), which is the highest peak (9817 feet) of Tor Ghar, belongs to the Akazais. The main Akazai villages are Kand (Upper and Lower), Bimbal and Bilianrey. Other villages are Darbanrey, Kanar, Bakrey, Laid, Lashora, Bakianra, Moraata, Torum, and Larey. During the period of Sikh rule and up to 1868, Akazais held the village of Shahtut in Agror valley (Oghi Tehsil).[5] For better prospects of life, Akazais migrated to adjoining area and cities within Pakistan. People who migrated from Tor Ghar are now erea Konsh valley Battal Living in village Chinarkot Tehsil Baffa district Mansehra and Tehsil Oghi of the Mansehra District (adjoining Tor Ghar), Malikpura - Abbottabad, Khalabat Township, Nara, Haripur, New Muzaffarabad kaloni street #. 07,House#. C-262,Landhi Karachi 22 district Karachi Maleer, Rawalpindi and Burhan in District Attock.[citation needed]

Fighting against the British Edit During the British Rule 1858 to 1947, Tor Ghar had never been under its administration. The Akazais, along with the Hassanzais, were very active in fighting against the British.[6]

The fighting character and bravery of the tribe was described by Sir William Wilson Hunter as follows:[7] The Campaign of 1863 taught us to our cost that an expedition against the Fanatical Encampment may mean a war with a coalition of 53,000 fighting men of the bravest races in the world. The inaccessible character of the country renders the temper and the internal relations of the tribes a matter of uncertainty with our Frontier officers; and whenever the Rebel Settlement suffers a defeat, it has merely to fall back deeper into the recesses of the Mahában.

The Indian-British government sent four major expeditions to Tor Ghar to suppress The Black Mountain (Tor Ghar) Tribes at different times:[5]

Expedition against Hassanzais - 1852-1853 This force consisted of 3,800 troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mackeson, C.B. In this expedition, five soldiers were killed and 10 wounded.[8] Expedition against Black Mountain Tribes - 1868 This force consisted of 12,544 troops commanded by Major General Wilde. In this expedition, 55 soldiers were killed and 29 wounded.[8] Expedition against Black Mountain Tribes - 1888 This force consisted of 9,416 troops commanded by Major General J. McQueen. In this expedition, 25 soldiers were killed and 57 wounded.[8] Expedition Against The Hasanzai And Akazai Tribes Of The Black Mountain 1891 This force consisted of 7,289 troops commanded by Major General W.K. Elles. In this expedition, 9 soldier