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The Tanolis (Urdu: تنولی ) are a prominent and famous Muslim Mughal Barlas tribe residing mainly in the Amb, Hazara Division of the North-West Frontier Province Pakistan. This statement of descent has been recorded in the "Gazetteer of the Hazara District", Sangmeel Publication, 1990 p38) They have always claimed this and always will.

Tanolis are the largest tribe of Hazara. Upper Tanawal and Lower Tanawal which cover the greater part of Hazara have been ruled by Tanolis for centuries. They have ruled the state of Amb of Hazara since the beginning of 18th century. During the late 17th century, Turks were overthrown by Swatis in areas of Upper Hazara. Tanolis, however, remained loyal to the Turks until the end of latters rule in Hazara. Tanolis were later involved in the rebellions against the Sikhs in the 19th century. They also allied with Ahmed Shah Abdali in his conquest of India. Many Khans and princes of their dynasty have gained mass popularity as heroes.

Charles Allen referred to them in his book Men who made the North-West Frontier as "the extremely hostile and powerful Tanolis of the Tanawal Mountains, brave and hardy and accounted for the best swordsmen in Hazara."

They were also the last ruling dynasty of the Princely State of Amb.

Contents 1 Origins and History 2 Wars and Famous Personalities 3 Tanolis Today 4 References 5 See also

The most prominent theory is of the Barlas Mugal origin, which has been recorded officially by the Tanolis themselves (Hazara Gazzetter, 1990, p38, "the Herald interview of Nawabzada Salahuddin Saeed Khan Tanoli"). It is said that they were settled in the region of Tanawal and established their tribes and evicted tribes that were already settled there. Over time they intermarried with other Pashtun and Turkic tribes hence and settled in the region.

It is cited by the head of the Tanolis, Nawabzada Salahudeen Saeed Khan, the confirmation of this descent. This undoubtedly and undisputably gives the strongest credibility to this theory and thus confirm that the first family of Amb are Mughals and not Pathans in origin. It is well evidenced from an article in the Herald International, and other sources, that he has confirmed, along with other leading members of the Nawab family, that they are Barlas Mughals.

They have also confirmed this through the ages, with the undisputable proof that they have always maintained their Mughal ancestry (see Hazara Gazetteer) and it has been stated by many researchers for centuries that the Pathans do not reckon the Tanoli from amongst them.

This is undeniable and final proof for this origin debate.

Pashtun Origin Theory

The least prominent and most disputed theory is that the people who came to be known as "Tanolis" are identified as such due to their link with a particular geographical setting in which they found themselves (i.e. Tanawal State).

The Hazara Gazetteer written soon after the settlement of Hazara by Captain James Abbott also mentions the fact that the original language of the Tanolis now speak Hindko in areas where the majority speaks this language and have maybe forgotten their language. This is wrong and they never actually spoke Pashto.

Tanoli clan names do not all follow the Pashtun style, such as end with khel or zai. Considering the case of Afridis, Mohmands, Waziris as prominent Pashtun tribes, who also don't follow this practice the case of Tanoli tribe is not unusual. Recently some Tanolis clans such as Mamakhel use the typical khel ending in their branch. Thus there is another proof for rejecting Tanolis as Pashtuns.

It would seem that there are among the Tanolis a minority who have some Pashtun practices but there are also those who call themselves Tanolis because the area is more important for their identity -

Thus this theory is a misconception and not backed by the Tanoli Jirgas.

The Yousafzai tribe came to Swat in approximately 1450AD and began fighting with settled Pakhtun tribes inhabiting Swat namely the Tanolis, Swatis and Dilazak. At that time Tanolis were among the leading tribes in Swat. Sawat history also tells us that Tanolis were the only threat for Yousafzais. Every time Tanolis fought bravely against Yousafzais but at last they were left alone by the other tribes of Swat. After several battles between the Tanolis and the Yousafzais, the Tanoli Chief Sultan Ameer Khan Tanoli was finally martyred while fighting with Yousafzais at Topi (near Swabi).

Sardar Zabardast Khan/ Suba Khan Tanoli

In AD 1752 the Tanoli Chief Sardaar Zabardast Khan allied with fellow Afghan, and King of AfghnistanAhmed Shah Abdali, in his conquest of India. His renown was such, that he gained the title of Suba Khan from Ahmed Shah Abdali for his bravery in the historical battle against the Marathas at Panipat, where two hundred and fifty thousand strong army of Marathas were famously defeated by just sixty thousand of Abdali's soldiers and allied Muslim tribes. His later grandson, Mir Nawab Khan saw the Durrani empire crumbling and defeated the Durranis, thus freeing his kingdom of their control, however, in this battle he was killed by Sardaar Azim Khan.

Mir Sar-Buland Khan

During the Governorship of the Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa, Mir Sar-Buland Khan Tanoli, was very rebellious towards him. He allied with Mir Painda Khan and Muhammad Khan Tareen as well as chiefs of the Pakhtun Jadun tribes against them. Whilst engaged in one battle, Hari Singh Nalwa shot dead his son Sher Muhammad Khan. He continued his rebellion regardless and unrelented in his repeat incursions against them, though without success against the militarily superior opposition. At one point, he and Mir Painda Khan besieged and conquered Darband fort from the Sikh chief Sardar Gordat Singh.

Mir Painda Khan

Mir Painda Khan is famed for his staunch rebellion against Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Governors of Hazara. He was the son of Mir Nawab Khan, who defeated the Durranis and freed his kingdom from their influence.

From about 1813, he spent a life long rebellion against the Sikhs, who, realising the potential of his rebellion, set up forts at strategic locations to keep him in check. Hari Singh Nalwa took this initiative during his governorship.

Painda Khan's relentless rebellion against the Sikh empire, cost him a major portion of his Kingdom, leaving only his twin capitals Amb and Darband. However, this deterred him less and appeared to increase his resistance against the Sikh government.

The District Gazetteer of the North-West Frontier Province (p138) confirms, "Painda Khan, played a considerable part in the history of his time and vigorously opposed the Sikhs."

Mir Painda Khan set the tone for the regional resistance against Sikh rule. Men who made the North-West Frontier (Charles Allen, Abacus 2001, p139) attests,

"There was a long history of conflict between Jehandad Khan's family and the Sikhs, and the name of his father Painda Khan, was said to be 'magic to the ears of the people of Hazara' because of the struggles he fought on behalf of his 'poor circumscribed and rugged principality' against the Sikhs. Abbot was aware that before his death Painda Khan had made his son (Jehandad Khan) swear never to trust his safety to any ruler."

Eventually, realising that the Heroic Tanoli Khan would not be subdued by force, General Dhaurikal Singh, commanding officer of the Sikh troops in Hazara, had Painda Khan poisoned to death in September 1844. He is still revered in Hazara today as a "Heroic Warrior King of the People".

In 1828 Mir Painda Khan gifted the State of Phulra to his brother Mir Madad Khan.

Mir Jehandad Khan Tanoli

This Tanoli chief deserves special mention as the son of a famous Tanoli hero of Amb Darband Hazara, Mir Painda Khan.

It is mentioned in Men who made the North-West Frontier (Charles Allen, Abacus 2001, p139) that

"Of all the tribal chiefs of Hazara, the most powerful said to be Jehandad Khan of the Tanoli, whose land straddled both banks of the Indus and whose fellow-tribesmen were 'brave and hardy and accounted for the best swordsmen in Hazara'. There was a long history of conflict between Jehandad Khan's family and the Sikhs, and the name of his father Painda Khan, was said to be 'magic to the ears of the people of Hazara' because of the struggles he fought on behalf of his 'poor circumscribed and rugged principality' against the Sikhs. Abbot was aware that before his death Painda Khan had made his son (Jehandad Khan) swear never to trust his safety to any ruler."

This was a strong testament to the physical, political power and heroic background of the House of Tanoli which continued throughout the history of the tribes ancestry.

Mir Jehandad Khan is further mentioned in the same source as,

"Jehandad Khan - a good looking young man of 26 years, tall and slender, with remarkably large and fine eyes - rode into Abbott's encampment surrounded by an escort of horsemen clad in shirts of mail and steel skull caps, handsomely mounted and equipped, who made a most picturesque display....the bystanders, who regarded the Chief with great awe, were thunderstruck.."

In 1852, Jehandad Khan was summonsed by the President of the Board of Administration (who travelled to Hazara to see the Khan) in relation to a murder enquiry of two British civilians in his lands. It is mentioned in the above source (p203,p204) that

"Jehan Dad Khan, the head of the Clan, and his minister Boostan Khan...knowing himself charged for his life, with the air of a prince sat down....answered all questions in an easy off hand way that looked very much like innocence. I was glad when the examination was over and the men let go, for they had a following of five or six hundred men, all stalwart fellows who had accompanied their Chief..."

The President ended the talk by threatening him that, "If you refuse to give up the murderers...I will come with an army to burn your villages and give your country to another." It is said that the Khan replied, folding hands and with some fun replied with his elders, "We should consider your presence (in our kingdom) an honor, but our country is a 'rather difficult one' for your army." This famed statement was the talk of the day and remembered by many locals of Hazara even to this day as a heroic answer to a staunch threat from a powerful official.

His son, Nawab Bahadur Sir Muhammed Akram Khan was conferred the title Nawab Bahadur by the British Raj.

Nawab Sir Muhammad Akram Khan The next chief of the Tanolis and son of Mir Jahandad Khan was Nawab Sir Akram Khan (1868 - 1907). He was a popular chief and it was during his tenure that the fort at Shergarh was constructed, along with Dogah and Thakot. His rule was a peaceful time for Tanawal with no major conflicts. He had a brother whose name was Nawab Sardar Safdar Ali Khan. He was one of the brave tanoli. He was given the title of 'SARDAR' by the British because of his bravery.

Nawab Khanizaman Khan Nawab Khanizaman Khan succeeded his father in taking over the reins of power in Tanawal in Amb. He helped the British in carrying out the Black Mountain (Kala Dhaka/Tur Ghar)expeditions.

Nawab Muhammad Farid Khan

Ruled Amb State until its abolition in 1969.He was always in contact with Mr.Jinnah and Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan and helped them throughout the freedom movement. He also signed the Instrument of Accession to side the State of Amb with Pakistan at Independence.

Malik Nawab Khan Tanoli

Malik Nawab Khan was a great personality of Lower Tanawal. Major Abbot mentioned him as a "Brave man" in his book written on Abbottabad. Malik Nawab Khan was a learned man and an able soldier. He was a strong religious man. He was the last chief of Tanoli Jirga. Malik Nawab Khan was among the fellow tribesmen of famous Mir Jehandad Khan.

The majority of Tanolis reside in the former state of Amb in the Hazara Division of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. A branch of the Tanoli tribe also resides in Kashmir mainly in Muzaffarabad. The famous ancestral forefather of this Kashmiri branch was Amir Mir-ullah. Tanolis have a big area of territory called Upper Tanawal and Lower Tanawal. Upper Tanawal is considered as backward area and has its quota in Govt of Pakistan. Tanolis have their majority throughout Hazara Division Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan. Tanolis are also living in some areas of Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan and Sultanpur. A large number of Tanolis are also living in Karachi.

Their main language is Hindko. Tanolis living in Pashtun dominated areas speak Pushtu and those living in Punjab speak Punjabi and others living in others countries speak dominant language of those states e.g. English as this is a natural phenomenon.

Some Tanolis migrated to UK after the 2nd World War to help rebuild the war ravaged country.

Tanolis are rich in culture and follow their customs of their ancestorsGazetteer of Hazara District 1883-4.

Some famous personalities of the Tanoli tribe in this modern era are:

Nawabzada Salahuddin Saeed Khan Tanoli (Present Chief of Tanoli Tribe) (Ex Federal Minister Pakistan)

Habib-ur-Rehman Tanoli (Ex Minister for Local Government NWFP)

Ayub Khan Tanoli (Ex Minister of Law and Education NWFP)

Jamshed Khan Tanoli (Ex Secretary Education NWFP) TAMEEM TANOLI (HAZARA UNIVERSITY)

• Gazetteer of the Hazara District, 1883-4 (p38).
• Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province H.A Rose, p255 & p256
• Chiefs and Families of Note in Punjab by Lepel H. Griffin (1910, ii, p254)
• Gazetteer of the North-Western Frontier Province p138.
• Gazeteer of Hazara District (1883/4). (p.61)
• History of the Sikhs by J.D. Cunningham, (1849).
• Panjab Castes by Denzil Ibbetson, Delhi, p93.
• The Jaduns by Sultan Khan Jadun (2001).
• Tarikh-ul-Afghan ka Tehqiqi Jahiza by Sultan Khan Jadun (1979).
• Tairikh-e-Hazara by Dr Sher Bahadur Khan Panni.
• Journal of Central Asia Vol XII, (July 1990), Prof. Ahmed Hasan Dani, July, 1990 p79.
• Soldier Sahibs: The Men who made the North-Western Frontier by Charles Allen, Abacus 2001.

• Barlas
• Mongolian
• State of Amb
• State of Phulra