Karlugh Turks
Encyclopedia
The Karlugh Turks are a prominent Karluk
Turkic
tribe that resides mainly in the Hazara
region of current Pakistan
. These Karlugh Turks formed a Turki
Shahi dynasty and ruled the state of Pakhli
Sarkar for over 200 years from 1472 to 1703.
's invasion of Pakistan
in 1398-99, Timur left behind a legion of Qarluk Turks as the rulers of the Hazara
region of India
(now part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa former North West Frontier Province of Pakistan
). The locals called these Turks the Karlugh Turks and the legion Hazara-i-Karlugh
.
and maintain this status until the early 18th century (1703). They formed a Turki Shahi state with the arrival of Sultan Shahab-ud-Din from Kabul
who established his rule in the entire Pakhli
(Hazara
) region. This state came to be known as Pakhli
Sarkar with Guli Bagh as its capital. Locals always called them Rajas, but they continued to use the title of Sultan till end of their rule in Hazara. However, later on, when their rule came to an end they assumed the title of Raja, a name given to their ancestors by the locals. However, a small population of Turks retained "Usmani" and "Khan" with their names.
began establishing their control in India
with Babur
's victory in the First battle of Panipat
in 1526. During the entire period of Mughal ascendancy in Indian sub-continent, Mughals acknowledged Karlughs as the rulers of Pakhli sarkar. In addition, probably due to their common Central Asian origin,
Mughals never levied taxes on the state of Pakhli
Sarkar.
The relations between Pakhli Sarkar and Mughal Empire took a tumble during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The then Karlugh Turk ruler Sultan Hussain Khan revolted against the Mughals citing increased interference on the part of Mughal Empire. This revolt was successfully put down by Akbar who eventually pardoned and restored Sultan Hussain Khan as the ruler of Pakhli Sarkar.
. One of his brothers, Sultan Qyas-ud-din, was Wali-e-Tanawal (Lower), and the Wali-e-Tanawal (Upper) was Sultan Sahwaj. His brother Sultan Muqarrab was Wali-e-Dhamtor, i.e. Rush areas of present Abbottabad
. Pakhli Sarkar had two other important governorships. One in the areas between Battagram and Thakot ruled by Shamsher Khan and other of Kashmir governed by Sultan Kamal. Both of these governors were close relatives of Turk rulers of Pakhli Sarkar. At that time Kashmir was part of Hazara (Pakhli Sarkar).
The introduction of Sikh rule into Hazara, commenced after 1818. In this year Hashim Khan, Turk, of Manakrai, murdered his fellow-chieftain, Kamal Khan (Karlugh). The latter's cause was espoused by the Tarin chief, Muhammad Khan, and to save himself Hashim Khan betrayed his country to the Sikhs. At his invitation Makhan Singh, the Sikh Governor of Rawalpindi, invaded Hazara with 500 sowars, built a fort at Serai Saleh, and levied tribute from the Haripur plain.
Shamsher Khan, a loyal general of Sultan Mehmud Khurd, fought with great valour and put up a very strong resistance at Jhanjal fort of Thakot. After a siege of several months Swatis finally defeated Shamsher Khan, who was martyred in battle. However, after the fall of Jhanjer Fort, there was no one to put up resistance in the Rush areas. Swatis entered the Rush area of Hazara without any notable resistance.
After the Karlugh Turks were overthrown, the tribes Quraish Khankhails, Swatis and Syeds established their rule in the plains of Pakhli and mountains of Kaghan
valley. These areas were then divided between the above mentioned tribes. Region of Mansehra
to Sum Elai-Mang
was handed over to the Quraish Khankhails. Kaghan valley was given to Syeds and Ogi
and Swat was delivered to the Swatis.
The Karlugh Turks were then made to settle in various parts of Hazara and Kashmir. However, the Turks retained small jageers everywhere, like Manakrai (Haripur), Mohar (abbottabad), Behali
(Mansehra), Barakot (Mansehra), Geerwal (Mansehra), Bayan (Abbottabad), Richbehn (Abbottabad), border of existing Pakistan and AJK up to Neelum Valley in Patika
and some other villages and were never fully eliminated.
(Abbottabad) to Behali
(Mansehra
).
Sultan Qyas-ud-din, son of Raja Habib Khan, continued to live in Sherwan, struggling against successive Tanolis attacks and controlling areas between Sherwan to Mangal including Behali. This was an era of turmoil for the Turks and they continuously struggled against Tanolis and then Sikhs till 1817.
Raja Anayat Khan, son of Raja Habib Khan, also continued the struggle. He could not sustain Tanolis attacks and left Sherwan. He had been shuttling between Behali(Mansehra) and Richhbehn(Abbottabad), keeping his permanent centre at Kakot(Abbottabad). The grave of Raja Anayat Khan is in Kakot. During his rule, the Turks re-constructed a fort between Kakot and Mochikot, called the Mochikot fort. This fort proved to be a very strong place of resistance for Turks because of its brilliant location. It was on a hilltop which was surrounded by water (Mangal) on three sides. To the south was a narrow path which barely allowed passage of only one horse at a time. Presently, only one wall of the Mochikot fort still exists. The Turks kept shifting from Kakot to Fort of Mochikot off and on, during attacks from adversaries.
Raja Asalat Khan had seven sons. Raja Ikhtiar Khan, Raja Zulfiqar Khan, Raja Mahal Khan, Raja Paras Khan, Raja Malak Khan, Raja Maazullah Khan and Raja Muttawalli Khan. Raja Ikhtiar Khan settled in Hassan Abdal. Raja Zulfiqar Khan in Richbehn. It may be clarified that in Richhbehn two branches of Turks reside. Later on Raja Sher Khan, the grand son of Raja Paras Khan, settled in Richhbehn. The descendants of Raja Sher Khan played a pivotal role in the area. Due to unknown reasons, the descendants of Raja Zulfiqar Khan were deprived of their possessions and did not influence the events in the area.
Raja Paras Khan, with the help of his brother Raja Maazullah Khan (both sons of Raja Asalat Khan), established control over the jageer on strong footing and started residing permanently in Behali. Sikh rule was generally miserable for the Turks of Behali. Turks of Behali joined British forces to overthrow Sikhs like all tribes of Hazara. Their valour and bravery was acknowledged by General Abbott—then Major Abbott and deputy commissioner of Hazara—in his letters addressed to Raja Mohibullah Khan, son of Raja Paras Khan, and to Raja Ghulam Khan, son of Raja Mohibbullah Khan.
Raja Maazulla Khan was murdered under mysterious conditions. His dead body, tied to the horse, was brought back to Behali by his horse. Raja Paras Khan was now alone to fight against adversaries. He rose to prominence and succeeded in regaining his lost authority and finally the Turks got permanent control in a sizeable area between Behali and Richhbehn (about 24 villages, or 45 thousand kanals). Areas between Richhbehn and Behali remained in the control of these Turks till the creation of Pakistan.
The Other sons of Raja Asalat were issueless. Raja Paras Khan had four sons. Raja Nadir Khan, Raja Saadullah Khan, Raja Mohibbullah Khan and Raja Mir Ahmad Khan. Raja Nadir's son Raja Sher khan shifted to Richhbehn and others stayed at Behali. A comfortable period started for Turks. They held a sizable land and their influence in the area grew with the passage of time.
area of Pakistan
and Azad Kashmir
, mostly in the mountainous regions. They had continued to maintain a very secluded and exclusive lifestyle until the late 19th and early 20th century. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 13, p. 79, published in 1909, some 2000 persons returned themselves as Turks, descendants of the Turkomans
who came with Timur in 1391. It is more probable, given the fact that most Turk villages were in the inaccessible mountainous regions at the time of 1901 census, that the actual number could be as high as around 10,000.
Currently, some of the main Karlugh Turkish villages in Hazara Division are Manakrai and Bayan in Haripur District
, Behali in Mansehra District
, Mohar Kalan and RichhBehn in Abbottabad District
and on the mountains between Pakistan and AJK from Shaheed Gali, Shawai, Kahori, Patthika, Bheri up to Neelum Valley.
Haji Raja Qalander khan migrated to a nearby village known as Rehar. A small family of Turks resides in this village. They also enjoy respect and influence in local politics.
state in 1703 and after 1872 settlement, most of the Turks dis parred in different areas of Hazara. The Turks are living in the villages near by abbottabad
and mahensehra like Moharkalan,
Behali (Mansehra), Barakot (Mansehra), Geerwal (Mansehra), Bayan (Abbottabad), Richbehn (Abbottabad) etc.
In Hazara the turks had made their non-political organization named as TURKWA "Turk Welfare Association"(Hazara).
state in 1703 and after 1872 settlement, nearly half of the Turk population migrated to nearby Hazara and Kashmir regions. In Azad Kashmir
these migrated Turk clans are living in different villages like in Muzaffarabad
they are present in Bararkot, Bheri, Lambian Pattian, Shawai, Chanjal(Pathika
), Madar, Kahori, Gari Dupatta, Sanweyari, Chinari, Karnah(leepa valley), Kohala and in Muzaffarabad
town. In Indian-held Kashmir these clans are found in Bara Mula, Bari pura, Srinagar
and other adjoining areas.
In Azad Kashmir
Turks had made a non-political organisation namely "Turk Welfare Association (Reg: Azad Kashmir on May 2, 1984)". The milestone of this organisation was laid by DSP® Raja Muhammad Yousaf Khan Turk, Fazal-ur-Rehman Khan Turk, Professor Muhammad Afsar Usmani, Raja Ayub khan Turk, Marshal Muhammad Latif Khan Turk and other elders of Turk clans from different areas in 1983. In this very first meeting, Turks from Hazara also joined and Raja Ammanullah Khan (former speaker NWFP Assembly) and Raja Muhammad Irshad Khan (author Treekh-e-Hazara) actively participated. The Turks of Azad Kashmir
are Hindko speaking.
rather than Turki
. Accounts of original descendants speaking Turki are abundant but considering the presence of Karlugh Turks in sub-continent since 1400 AD, the loss of Turki language could be potentially reasoned due to similar causes as those associated with the eventual replacement of Turki with Persian
and eventually with other local languages as the prominent language in Mughal court and empire.
Karluk
Karluk can refer to many different things:* HMCS Karluk, a ship crushed and sunk by Arctic ice in January 1914* Karluk, Alaska, a town in the USA* Karluk River, a river on Kodiak Island in Alaska...
Turkic
Turkic peoples
The Turkic peoples are peoples residing in northern, central and western Asia, southern Siberia and northwestern China and parts of eastern Europe. They speak languages belonging to the Turkic language family. They share, to varying degrees, certain cultural traits and historical backgrounds...
tribe that resides mainly in the Hazara
Hazara Division
On the dissolution of West Pakistan in 1970, Hazara District and the two tribal agencies were merged to form the new Hazara Division with its capital at Abbottabad...
region of current Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. These Karlugh Turks formed a Turki
Turki
The Turki language is a Türkic literary language active from the 13th to the 19th centuries, used by different Türkic peoples...
Shahi dynasty and ruled the state of Pakhli
Pakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
Sarkar for over 200 years from 1472 to 1703.
Arrival
At the end of TimurTimur
Timur , historically known as Tamerlane in English , was a 14th-century conqueror of West, South and Central Asia, and the founder of the Timurid dynasty in Central Asia, and great-great-grandfather of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Dynasty, which survived as the Mughal Empire in India until...
's invasion of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in 1398-99, Timur left behind a legion of Qarluk Turks as the rulers of the Hazara
Hazara Division
On the dissolution of West Pakistan in 1970, Hazara District and the two tribal agencies were merged to form the new Hazara Division with its capital at Abbottabad...
region of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(now part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa former North West Frontier Province of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
). The locals called these Turks the Karlugh Turks and the legion Hazara-i-Karlugh
Hazara-i-Karlugh
The Hazara-i-Karlugh were the Turkic soldiers that founded and ruled the Turki Shahi dynasties from 1400 to 1700 in what is now the current Hazara area of Pakistan.-Etymology:Hazara-i-Karlugh literally means "The Legion of Karlugh"...
.
Establishment of Pakhli Sarkar
The Karlugh Turks, having a central Asian origin, became the ruling class of HazaraHazara Division
On the dissolution of West Pakistan in 1970, Hazara District and the two tribal agencies were merged to form the new Hazara Division with its capital at Abbottabad...
and maintain this status until the early 18th century (1703). They formed a Turki Shahi state with the arrival of Sultan Shahab-ud-Din from Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
who established his rule in the entire Pakhli
Pakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
(Hazara
Hazara Division
On the dissolution of West Pakistan in 1970, Hazara District and the two tribal agencies were merged to form the new Hazara Division with its capital at Abbottabad...
) region. This state came to be known as Pakhli
Pakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
Sarkar with Guli Bagh as its capital. Locals always called them Rajas, but they continued to use the title of Sultan till end of their rule in Hazara. However, later on, when their rule came to an end they assumed the title of Raja, a name given to their ancestors by the locals. However, a small population of Turks retained "Usmani" and "Khan" with their names.
Karlugh Turks and Mughal Empire
The MughalsMughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
began establishing their control in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
with Babur
Babur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
's victory in the First battle of Panipat
First battle of Panipat
The first battle of Panipat took place in Northern India, and marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire. This was one of the earliest battles involving gunpowder firearms and field artillery.-Details:...
in 1526. During the entire period of Mughal ascendancy in Indian sub-continent, Mughals acknowledged Karlughs as the rulers of Pakhli sarkar. In addition, probably due to their common Central Asian origin,
Mughals never levied taxes on the state of Pakhli
Pakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
Sarkar.
The relations between Pakhli Sarkar and Mughal Empire took a tumble during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The then Karlugh Turk ruler Sultan Hussain Khan revolted against the Mughals citing increased interference on the part of Mughal Empire. This revolt was successfully put down by Akbar who eventually pardoned and restored Sultan Hussain Khan as the ruler of Pakhli Sarkar.
Decline and fall of Karlugh Turks
The last Karlugh Turk ruler of Pakhli Sarkar was Sultan Mehmud KhurdSultan Mehmud Khurd
Sultan Mehmud Khurd was the last ruler of the sarkar of Pakhli in Hazara, Pakistan. One of his brothers, Sultan Qiassuddin, was Wali-e-Tanawal, and the Wali-e-Upper Tanawal was Sultan Sahwaj. His brother, Sultan Muqarrab, was Wali-e-Dhamtor.-History:...
. One of his brothers, Sultan Qyas-ud-din, was Wali-e-Tanawal (Lower), and the Wali-e-Tanawal (Upper) was Sultan Sahwaj. His brother Sultan Muqarrab was Wali-e-Dhamtor, i.e. Rush areas of present Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Abbottabad is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, northeast of the capital Islamabad and east of Peshawar at an altitude of and is the capital of the Abbottabad District...
. Pakhli Sarkar had two other important governorships. One in the areas between Battagram and Thakot ruled by Shamsher Khan and other of Kashmir governed by Sultan Kamal. Both of these governors were close relatives of Turk rulers of Pakhli Sarkar. At that time Kashmir was part of Hazara (Pakhli Sarkar).
The introduction of Sikh rule into Hazara, commenced after 1818. In this year Hashim Khan, Turk, of Manakrai, murdered his fellow-chieftain, Kamal Khan (Karlugh). The latter's cause was espoused by the Tarin chief, Muhammad Khan, and to save himself Hashim Khan betrayed his country to the Sikhs. At his invitation Makhan Singh, the Sikh Governor of Rawalpindi, invaded Hazara with 500 sowars, built a fort at Serai Saleh, and levied tribute from the Haripur plain.
Revolt of Sultan Maqarrab
Sultan Maqarrab revolted against his own brother Sultan Mehmud Khurd, but was defeated by the Sultan due to intervention from the Delhi Sultanate. But this incident weakened the Turks permanently and they could never restore their previous strength. Karlal tribe gained strength and Jadun tribe came from across the river Indus to hasten the overthrow of the Turks. Ultimately, Jadoons from Swabi subjugated the Rush areas.Loss of Rush
Around 1713 Sultan Mehmud Khurd went to Delhi never to return and his whereabouts from them unknown. His sons were too young to run the affairs of Pakhli Sarkar. The Karlugh Turk rule of Pakhli Sarkar came to an end when, in Sultan's absence, his son-in-law, Syed Jalal Baba hatched a conspiracy and invited Quraish Khankhails, Swatis and Syeds to attack Pakhli Sarkar.Shamsher Khan, a loyal general of Sultan Mehmud Khurd, fought with great valour and put up a very strong resistance at Jhanjal fort of Thakot. After a siege of several months Swatis finally defeated Shamsher Khan, who was martyred in battle. However, after the fall of Jhanjer Fort, there was no one to put up resistance in the Rush areas. Swatis entered the Rush area of Hazara without any notable resistance.
After the Karlugh Turks were overthrown, the tribes Quraish Khankhails, Swatis and Syeds established their rule in the plains of Pakhli and mountains of Kaghan
Kaghan
Kaghan is a small town and union council of the Balakot Tehsil, in Mansehra District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It has a reputation as a place of great natural beauty....
valley. These areas were then divided between the above mentioned tribes. Region of Mansehra
Mansehra
Mansehra city is located at in Mansehra District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is very near to Abbottabad city. It is a major stop for tourists on the Karakoram Highway which leads to China...
to Sum Elai-Mang
Sum Elai-Mang
Sum Elai-Mang or Sum is a village/state in Sirran Valley, Mansehra District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It is also a union council of Mansehra District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It was ruled by Haroon Khan Badshah who was known as Badshah Khan...
was handed over to the Quraish Khankhails. Kaghan valley was given to Syeds and Ogi
Ogi
Ogi may refer to:*Ogi , a fermented cereal porridge*Ogi, Oita, a city in Oita, Japan*Ogi, Saga, a city in Saga, Japan*Ontario Genomics Institute*Oregon Graduate Institute*Ogi Station-People:*Adolf Ogi, Swiss politician*Aritatsu Ogi...
and Swat was delivered to the Swatis.
The Karlugh Turks were then made to settle in various parts of Hazara and Kashmir. However, the Turks retained small jageers everywhere, like Manakrai (Haripur), Mohar (abbottabad), Behali
Behali
Bahali is a village and union council of the Mansehra District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Bahali is part of Mansehra Tehsil and is located at the boundary area of the Mansehra district and the Abbottabad district, west from the Karakurram highway at Qalanderabad. It is a valley...
(Mansehra), Barakot (Mansehra), Geerwal (Mansehra), Bayan (Abbottabad), Richbehn (Abbottabad), border of existing Pakistan and AJK up to Neelum Valley in Patika
Patika
Patika is a village in Rae Parish, Harju County, in northern Estonia. It has a population of 322 ....
and some other villages and were never fully eliminated.
Loss of Tanawal
Immediately after the collapse of Pakhli, Upper Tanawl fell into the hands of Tanolis. Tanolis advanced towards Lower Tannawal and partially succeeded in confining Sultan Qyas-ud-din in his headquarter, Sherwan. Sultan Qyas-ud-din, younger brother of Sultan Mehmud, was Waali (Governor) of Tanawal. In Tanawal areas, Karlugh Turks retained their power for another 90 years. But ultimately, they were restricted to a small area of lower Tanawal from SherwanSherwan
Sherwan is a Union council of Abbottabad District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, located 35 km west of Abbottabad.The population of Sherwan Town is over 25000.The local language is Hindko while Urdu is also understood and spoken by local people...
(Abbottabad) to Behali
Behali
Bahali is a village and union council of the Mansehra District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Bahali is part of Mansehra Tehsil and is located at the boundary area of the Mansehra district and the Abbottabad district, west from the Karakurram highway at Qalanderabad. It is a valley...
(Mansehra
Mansehra District
Mansehra District is in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, an area still unofficially known as the Northwest Frontier. Mansehra district and town are named after Man Singh, a leading general of Mughal Emperor Akbar...
).
Turks Resistance
Turks continued their rule in the areas between Sherwan and Mangal till the arrival of the Sikhs in 1817-18. They were deprived of further areas during the 1872 settlement. Under the settlement, they continued to possess about thirty thousand (30000) kanals, equivalent to 7500 acres (30.4 km²) of lands between Richhbehn (Abbottabad) and Bahali (Mansehra).Sultan Qyas-ud-din, son of Raja Habib Khan, continued to live in Sherwan, struggling against successive Tanolis attacks and controlling areas between Sherwan to Mangal including Behali. This was an era of turmoil for the Turks and they continuously struggled against Tanolis and then Sikhs till 1817.
Raja Anayat Khan, son of Raja Habib Khan, also continued the struggle. He could not sustain Tanolis attacks and left Sherwan. He had been shuttling between Behali(Mansehra) and Richhbehn(Abbottabad), keeping his permanent centre at Kakot(Abbottabad). The grave of Raja Anayat Khan is in Kakot. During his rule, the Turks re-constructed a fort between Kakot and Mochikot, called the Mochikot fort. This fort proved to be a very strong place of resistance for Turks because of its brilliant location. It was on a hilltop which was surrounded by water (Mangal) on three sides. To the south was a narrow path which barely allowed passage of only one horse at a time. Presently, only one wall of the Mochikot fort still exists. The Turks kept shifting from Kakot to Fort of Mochikot off and on, during attacks from adversaries.
Rehabilitation
Raja Asalat Khan was the first person who settled in Behali in around 1795. However, the Turks were dislodged from Behali by Sikhs in 1817. These Turks migrated to Kashmir and stayed with their relatives in Thangar, Lambian Pattian, Shawai, Turkan and Neelum Valley. After General Hari Singh Nalwa invited them back to resettle in Behali, they finally returned around one and a half years later. Disputes developed again with the Sikhs and the Behali Turks took asylum in the Mochikot fort. Raja Asalat Khan passed his last days in Richhbehn. He is buried in Sohlan Bala(Abbottabad) near Kot-reen graveyard.Raja Asalat Khan had seven sons. Raja Ikhtiar Khan, Raja Zulfiqar Khan, Raja Mahal Khan, Raja Paras Khan, Raja Malak Khan, Raja Maazullah Khan and Raja Muttawalli Khan. Raja Ikhtiar Khan settled in Hassan Abdal. Raja Zulfiqar Khan in Richbehn. It may be clarified that in Richhbehn two branches of Turks reside. Later on Raja Sher Khan, the grand son of Raja Paras Khan, settled in Richhbehn. The descendants of Raja Sher Khan played a pivotal role in the area. Due to unknown reasons, the descendants of Raja Zulfiqar Khan were deprived of their possessions and did not influence the events in the area.
Raja Paras Khan, with the help of his brother Raja Maazullah Khan (both sons of Raja Asalat Khan), established control over the jageer on strong footing and started residing permanently in Behali. Sikh rule was generally miserable for the Turks of Behali. Turks of Behali joined British forces to overthrow Sikhs like all tribes of Hazara. Their valour and bravery was acknowledged by General Abbott—then Major Abbott and deputy commissioner of Hazara—in his letters addressed to Raja Mohibullah Khan, son of Raja Paras Khan, and to Raja Ghulam Khan, son of Raja Mohibbullah Khan.
Raja Maazulla Khan was murdered under mysterious conditions. His dead body, tied to the horse, was brought back to Behali by his horse. Raja Paras Khan was now alone to fight against adversaries. He rose to prominence and succeeded in regaining his lost authority and finally the Turks got permanent control in a sizeable area between Behali and Richhbehn (about 24 villages, or 45 thousand kanals). Areas between Richhbehn and Behali remained in the control of these Turks till the creation of Pakistan.
Khaksar Movement and Turks
In the 1930s, all Turks of Behali joined Allama Inayatullah Khan Mashraqi's Khaksar movement. They actively participated in the Khaksar movement until the creation of Pakistan, and even after that for quite a long time.Establishment of Modern Schooling
The Turks of Bahali helped the British in the establishment of a school at Behali in 1872. This was the era when Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was trying to covince Indian Muslims to get an education. The Primary School in Bahali was amongst a first few schools established by Britishers in Hazara. Among all these schools, Bahali was the only one which was established on the request of the Rajas of Bahali. The other schools were established due to government initiatives.Current status
From 1947 onward, either due to land reforms introduced by Khan Abdul Qayum Khan, then-Chief Minister NWFP, or due to selling out of lands on large scale, they lost a major portion of jageer between Richhbehn and Bahali. Particularly, Rajas of Richhbehn ruthlessly plundered the hard-earned ancestral land in a very short span of time and sold out their property, so much so that they did not spare their houses even. The same was done by Raja Dilawer Bahadur Jang Shahzada Khan, of Behali, who lived a prince life, but sold out all his property within a few years. However, the Turks of Behali are still in possession of about thirteen thousand kanals of land.The Other sons of Raja Asalat were issueless. Raja Paras Khan had four sons. Raja Nadir Khan, Raja Saadullah Khan, Raja Mohibbullah Khan and Raja Mir Ahmad Khan. Raja Nadir's son Raja Sher khan shifted to Richhbehn and others stayed at Behali. A comfortable period started for Turks. They held a sizable land and their influence in the area grew with the passage of time.
Karlugh Turk Settlements
The descendants of the Karlugh Turks continue to live in the HazaraHazara Division
On the dissolution of West Pakistan in 1970, Hazara District and the two tribal agencies were merged to form the new Hazara Division with its capital at Abbottabad...
area of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and Azad Kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
, mostly in the mountainous regions. They had continued to maintain a very secluded and exclusive lifestyle until the late 19th and early 20th century. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 13, p. 79, published in 1909, some 2000 persons returned themselves as Turks, descendants of the Turkomans
Turkmen people
The Turkmen are a Turkic people located primarily in the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and northeastern Iran. They speak the Turkmen language, which is classified as a part of the Western Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages family together with Turkish, Azerbaijani, Qashqai,...
who came with Timur in 1391. It is more probable, given the fact that most Turk villages were in the inaccessible mountainous regions at the time of 1901 census, that the actual number could be as high as around 10,000.
Currently, some of the main Karlugh Turkish villages in Hazara Division are Manakrai and Bayan in Haripur District
Haripur District
Haripur is a district in the Hazara region of Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa, province of Pakistan with an altitude of around above sea level. Haripur District has the highest Human Development Index of all the districts in the Hazara....
, Behali in Mansehra District
Mansehra District
Mansehra District is in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, an area still unofficially known as the Northwest Frontier. Mansehra district and town are named after Man Singh, a leading general of Mughal Emperor Akbar...
, Mohar Kalan and RichhBehn in Abbottabad District
Abbottabad District
Abbottabad is a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The district covers an area of 1,969 km with the city of Abbottabad being the principal town...
and on the mountains between Pakistan and AJK from Shaheed Gali, Shawai, Kahori, Patthika, Bheri up to Neelum Valley.
Haji Raja Qalander khan migrated to a nearby village known as Rehar. A small family of Turks resides in this village. They also enjoy respect and influence in local politics.
Karlugh Turk in Hazara
After the loss of PakhliPakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
state in 1703 and after 1872 settlement, most of the Turks dis parred in different areas of Hazara. The Turks are living in the villages near by abbottabad
Abbottabad
Abbottabad is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, northeast of the capital Islamabad and east of Peshawar at an altitude of and is the capital of the Abbottabad District...
and mahensehra like Moharkalan,
Behali (Mansehra), Barakot (Mansehra), Geerwal (Mansehra), Bayan (Abbottabad), Richbehn (Abbottabad) etc.
In Hazara the turks had made their non-political organization named as TURKWA "Turk Welfare Association"(Hazara).
Karlugh Turk in Kashmir
After the loss of PakhliPakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
state in 1703 and after 1872 settlement, nearly half of the Turk population migrated to nearby Hazara and Kashmir regions. In Azad Kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
these migrated Turk clans are living in different villages like in Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad is the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located in Muzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers...
they are present in Bararkot, Bheri, Lambian Pattian, Shawai, Chanjal(Pathika
Pathika
Pathika or Patikka is a beautiful place, some from Muzaffarabad city in Pakistan. It is sub-division of Muzaffarabad.The valley is accessible by an all-weather road metalled up to Dowarian and well maintained up to Kel. At the gateway to this valley lies a sprawling town to Patikka with a...
), Madar, Kahori, Gari Dupatta, Sanweyari, Chinari, Karnah(leepa valley), Kohala and in Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad is the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located in Muzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers...
town. In Indian-held Kashmir these clans are found in Bara Mula, Bari pura, Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar is the summer seasonal capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. It is one of the largest cities in India not to have a Hindu majority. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats...
and other adjoining areas.
In Azad Kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
Turks had made a non-political organisation namely "Turk Welfare Association (Reg: Azad Kashmir on May 2, 1984)". The milestone of this organisation was laid by DSP® Raja Muhammad Yousaf Khan Turk, Fazal-ur-Rehman Khan Turk, Professor Muhammad Afsar Usmani, Raja Ayub khan Turk, Marshal Muhammad Latif Khan Turk and other elders of Turk clans from different areas in 1983. In this very first meeting, Turks from Hazara also joined and Raja Ammanullah Khan (former speaker NWFP Assembly) and Raja Muhammad Irshad Khan (author Treekh-e-Hazara) actively participated. The Turks of Azad Kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
are Hindko speaking.
Language
Currently, the Karlugh Turks speak local languages such as Hindko and UrduUrdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
rather than Turki
Turki
The Turki language is a Türkic literary language active from the 13th to the 19th centuries, used by different Türkic peoples...
. Accounts of original descendants speaking Turki are abundant but considering the presence of Karlugh Turks in sub-continent since 1400 AD, the loss of Turki language could be potentially reasoned due to similar causes as those associated with the eventual replacement of Turki with Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
and eventually with other local languages as the prominent language in Mughal court and empire.