Pakhli

Pakhli was a Sarkar (district) of the Mughal Empire in what is now the Hazara region of Pakistan.[1][2] The Ain-i-Akbari refers to this entire region as Sarkar Pakhli, which formed a part of the larger Subah of Kashmir, which in turn was part of the Subah Kabul before 1586.[3]

Kashmir Sarkar of Kabul Subah depicted in map of Mughal India by Robert Wilkinson (1805)

History

The area was named after Sultan Pakhal, the elder brother of Sultan Behram, who conquered all the area from Jalalabad to Kashmir from Hindus.[4] His rule didn't last long, as he died very young.[5][6][7] Its main city was once Agror, the ancient Atyugrapura in Mansehra.[8][9]

In Babar's time, this tract was held by the Karluk Turks.[9] Pakhli Sarkar was the only state in Mughal Empire which was exempted from any tax payments to Delhi.[10] During Akbar's era, Sultan Hussain Khan of Pakhli revolted against him on the basis that the Delhi Sultanate was interfering in Pakhli's internal affairs. Akbar defeated him, but restored his position later on.[10]

Decline and fall of Karlugh Turks and arrival of Swatis

During the entire period of Mughal ascendancy in Indian subcontinent, Mughals acknowledged Karlughs as the rulers of the region.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Turkic rule came to an end due to the increased aggression of the Swatis. The most crucial attack was that of the Swatis in 1703, in collusion with Syed Jalal Baba, the son in law of the last ruler of Pakhli, Sultan Mehmud Khurd. Thus, Swatis ousted the Turks and captured this area during the last part of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century.[11][12]

Sultan Muqarrab revolted against his own brother Sultan Mehmud Khurd, but was defeated due to intervention from the Delhi Sultanate.[10] Karlugh Turks had by, that time, weakened enough to be overthrown by Swatis who established their rule in the plains of Pakhli and the mountains of the Kaghan valley.[13][14][10] Jadoons from Swabi subjugated the Rash areas. Sultan Qiyas-ud-din, the younger brother of Sultan Mehmud, was the Wali (Governor) of what is now Tanawal. In Tanawal areas, Karlugh Turks retained their power for another 90 years[15] But were restricted to a small area of lower Tanawal from Sherwan (Abbottabad) to Behali (Mansehra).[13]

References
  1. Zutshi, Chitralekha (2019-09-11). Kashmir. Oxford University Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-19-099046-6.
  2. Siyar-ul-Mutakherin
  3. Abu'l-Fazl, 16-17th century. tr. H.S. Jarrett, v 2, p 397 (1891)
  4. Ibbetson, Sir Denzil; Maclagan (1990). Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province. Asian Educational Services. p. 340. ISBN 978-81-206-0505-3.
  5. An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul by Mountstuart Elphinstone.
  6. Notes on Afghanistan and Baluchistan by Maj. Raverty
  7. Tazkira tul Abrar wa Ashrar by Akhun Darweza
  8. Tajik Swati Gabr by Prof. Akhtar
  9. Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 319
  10. "Tareekh-i-Hazara by Panni"
  11. Hazara Gazetteer 1883–84
  12. Tareekh e Hazara
  13. "Hazara Gazetteer,1883"
  14. "Settlement Report 1872 by Capt. Wace"
  15. Hazara Gazetteer,1907

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