Akazai

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.[3] They are the descendants of Aka, the son of Isa (Isazai), and the grandson of Yusuf/Yousaf/Yousafzai.[4] The Akazais are further divided into four sections with each section having two or more sub-sections.[5]

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 Shatut in Agror valley (Tehsil Oghi).[6] For better prospects of life, Akazais migrated to adjoining area and cities within Pakistan. People who migrated from Tor Ghar are now living in Tehsil Oghi (adjoining Tor Ghar), Pakhal Valley and Konsh Valley - Chinarkot Mansehra district, Malikpura - Abbottabad, Khalabat Township, Haripur, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Burhan in District Attock.

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.[7]

The fighting character and bravery of the tribe was described by Sir William Wilson Hunter as follows:[8]

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:[6]

• First Black Mountain Expedition - 1852-1853. This operation was conducted from December 1852 to January 1853. The force consisted of 3,800 troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mackeson, C.B. In this expedition, five soldiers were killed and 10 wounded.[4][9]

• Second Black Mountain Expedition - 1868. This operation was conducted during October 1868. The force consisted of 12,544 troops commanded by Major General Wilde. In this expedition, 55 soldiers were killed and 29 wounded.[4][9]

• Third Black Mountain Expedition - 1888. This operation was conducted from Ist October to 11 November 1888. The force consisted of 9,416 troops commanded by Major General J. McQueen. In this expedition, 25 soldiers were killed and 57 wounded.[10][9]

• Fourth Black Mountain Expedition - 1891. This operation was conducted from March to November 1891. The force consisted of 7,289 troops commanded by Major General W.K. Elles. In this expedition, 9 soldiers were killed and 39 wounded.[11][9][12]

• Isazai Expedition - 1892. This operation was aimed against the three Isazai clans i.e. Hassanzai, Akazai and Mada Khel. It was conducted from September to October, 1892. The force consisted of 6,000 troops and twenty-four guns under the command of Major General William Lockhart (Indian Army officer). In this expedition 24 soldiers were killed by an epidemic of cholera and not by enemy fire.[13]

After the creation of Pakistan on 14 August 1947, Tor Ghar was given the status of Tribal Area under the administration of the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North West Frontier Province).

Like all other Pashtuns, Akazais have maintained their cultural identity. They strictly follow the code of ethics of Pashtunwali, which comprises Manliness, Goodness, Gallantry, Loyalty and Modesty. Akazais have also maintained the Pashtoon customs of Jarga or Jirga (consultative assembly), Badal (justice or revenge) Nanawati (delegation pleading guilty), Hujhra (large drawing room) and Melmastya (hospitality).[14]

Pushto is the basic language of Akazais. Having less interaction with other people/languages due rugged nature terrain and less roads; the Akazais of Tor Ghar speak the purest form of Pushto. Akazais who migrated to other areas have adopted local languages like; Hindko in Hazara Division.

On 28 January 2011, Tor Ghar became the 25th District of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.[15] Judba is the district headquarters of this newly created district with following tehsils:

• Judba
• Kandar Hassanzai
• Mada Khel

Most of the Akazai areas come under the Kandar Hassanzai tehsil.