Bettani

According to Makhzan-e-Afghani, a compiled history of Afghans written by Ni'mat Allah al-Harawi, the Bettani are said to be named after their ancestor Betṭ Baba (claimed by a legend to be the first Pashto poet), who lived in the Altamur range which is located between Logar and Zurmat. The narrative continues with the account of his burial in Ghazni.[4]

According to Captain J.A Robinson's work "Notes on Nomad Tribes of Eastern Afghanistan," published in 1934, a detailed account emerges. Among the Powinda/Nomad Bhittani families, comprising 100 families, three distinct villages of Bhittanis were established in Karabagh and Ghazni. Out of these 100 families, 30 merged with the "Mian Khel", while the remaining 70 families scattered among the "Nasar" tribes.

The means of livelihood of these Bhittani's were the same as that of the tribes with which they lived. Some of these families of Katagran clan of nomad Bhittanis migrated towards Quetta in 1880s and started their abode with Kamal Khail, Naimat Khel and Yahya Khel clans of nomad Nasar tribes.

The Bettani are also known to have lived in the Logar, Zurmat and Ghazni areas of Afghanistan until the 15th century. However, this period saw them embroiled in conflicts with the Ghilji group. The Bettanis were eventually compelled to vacate these areas, moving towards the east. Among the lineages, some managed to secure control over Gabarḡar, situated between the Bannu Basin and Dēra while other segments of the Bettani lineage migrated further northeastward..[5][1]

Bettani reside in Pakistan in Tank and Lakki Marwat. Jandola is considered the capital of the Bettani tribes.[6][7] The area is mainly inhabited by the Bhittanis who have four sub-sections namely Tatta, Bakhtiyari, Waraspon, and Dhanna. They also inhabit D.I. Khan and Bannu, mostly the mountainous areas on the borders of Tank and Bannu from the Gabbar mountain in the north to the Gomal valley in the south.[5][8]

During the reign of Pashtun Sultans of Delhi, some of them enjoyed prestigious positions, and a large number of them used to serve in the Sultanate's army.[9]

Bhittani tribe is divided into four sections: Tattao- at Jandola, Siraghar, Dera Ismail Khan and some adjoining areas; Bakhtiyari- at some part of Pakistan, Petlad-Gujarat (India) and some adjoining areas; Dhanna- on the Gabbar mountain and in Lakki Marwat; Waraspun- inhabiting the Dera Ismail Khan and some adjoining valleys. District Lakki Marwat is inhabited by the Boba, Bobak and Wargara clans of the Bhittanis. Most of Danni- inhabiting in Tank and some adjoining valleys.[7]

The Bettani tribe has four sub-tribes, which are called Tattha, Bakhtiyari, Wraspoon and Dhana. The Tattha is further subdivided into three clans: the Umarkhail, Aba Khel, Naimat Khel and Khaishi. The Dhana tribe is divided into Ali khail, Bobi, Waroki and Dadi Khel subclans. The Wraspoon subdivides into Mazyani, Tari, Chapli and Shakhi. The Betani have always been few in numbers: From 8–9,000 in about 1884 they are said to have increased to more than 43,000 by about 1960. The current numbers of Bettani tribe around 200,000 and 250,000 individuals.[8]

Nearly 60 per cent people of the tribe are educated.

The Shrine of Mama Peer is situated near Umar Adda (a town in the settled area), several people in the area visit shrine of Mama Peer on daily basis and particularly on Friday. A large number of devotees also visit the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Younas situated near Jandola.[5]

The Bettani tribe are Muslim, Both Sunni and Shia Sect.

• Qais Abdur Rashid
• Zafar Beg Bhittani
• Sheikh Mohammad Rohani
• Mufti Abdul Shakoor

• Muntazir Bettani Poetry book Kuthab stuarey
• Historical Pashtu book written by Sohail Bettani "De Bettanu Tarikh" (History of Bhittani Tribe)
• The Batani, Baitani or Bhittani 1935) "Powindah Bhittani" Notes on Nomad Tribes of Eastern Afghanistan Government of India Press, New Delhi, India, page 158.
• Daniel Balland
• Encyclopædia Iranica
• Sulaiman Maku Book Tazkerat Al Awliya (Memoirs of Saints) (612 Hijera, 1216 AD) edited and annotated by Abdul Hai Habibi