HAZARA SARDARS The KARLALS In Hazara division District Abbottabad Sardars are The '''Karlals''' (also known as ''Kard'al'', ''Karaal'',

''Karhral'', or ''Kiraal'') and inhabit Galyat area of District Abbottabad ,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

of Pakistan. Their territory borders on both Azad Kashmir and Punjab (Pakistan).

ORIGIN

The Sardars of Hazara trace their descent from Sardar Kallar Shah who is believed to have come from

southern Afghanistan, and is believed to have been a descendant of Alexander the Great. The various

names of the tribe are derived from this name Kallar Shah. In Haripur and Abbottabad, they are known

as ‘‘Sardar s’’ because during long historical period starting from Delhi Sultanate they remained Sardars

(meaning leaders) of large tracts in this area. The majority of the people of the '''Karlal''' tribe are Sunni

Muslims. Although the Sardari-System is now obsolete, the name prevails due to extensive usage by

local peoples, including other tribes who prefer to refer them as Sardars.. The origins of the Karlals are

mentioned both in the census reports of Ibbotson and Rose as well as in the district Gazetteer -

compiled during British rule. They were extensively distributed in hilly areas of Abbottabad known as

Gillies or Gilyat.

History

As per Wajab Ul Arz of 1874 compiled by British authorities this tribe throughout history tried to retain

their independence and control. During Mughal era when the Gakkars were trying to extend their

authority in the entire lower Hazara the leader of Karlal tribe Morcha Kulli Khan was able to murder the

Ghakkar chief and retained his tribes independence and Sardari on Hilly tracts of lower Hazara .Turks

were also never able to extend their authority over this tribes controlled area although enjoying

suzerainty over large portion of Pakhal Sarkar at that time. In Durrani period due to difficulty of

geographical terrain and harsh weather prevailing conditions in this area no attempt was made by

Afghan rulers to subdue their territory .However when the Sikhs Captured lower Hazara they tried to

gain control over entire lower Hazara including Karlal territory.In 1822 Ranjit Singh sent a large force

under famous General Amar Singh Majitta which was defeated by '''karlals’’’ with great slaughter. Amar

Singh was also murdered by karlal chief Sardar Hassan Ali Khan. Lepel Griffin writes in his book about

this battle of sumandar khata. From 1822 to 1845 Karlal tribe fought many battles with Sikhs and was

able to retain its independence throughout Sikh period. In 1844 once again Lahore Dardar sent a large

force under Diwan Mulraj and Hari Singh to subdue Karlal country, again taking advantage of their

difficult geographical terrain Karlals were able to defeat Sikh army at place called Nah and killed more

than 150 Sikh soldiers . During the British period at the time of mutiny in 1857 this tribe tried to revolt

against the rule of East India company however British were able to imprison Karlal chief Sardar Hassan

Ali Khan and many mutineers of this tribe were hanged along with some Dund tribesmen(Mutiny

Reports 1857 Hazara District).According to the District Gazetteers of Rawalpindi and Hazara, written

jointly by the respective Deputy Commissioners of the above areas, the tribe Kharral of Gojra in Punjab,

derive their ancestors from the Karlals in Abbottabad, Hazara. The account of the 1857 India's First War

of Independence also known as the Indian Mutiny clearly establishes strong cooperation and

connectivity between the two tribes linking them to the common ancestor with the assumption that the

Kharrals of Gojra and Karlals of Abbottabad are actually the one and the same tribe. During the time of

Indian independence movement entire Karlal tribe joined the flanks of Muslim League and strives hard

for the creation of Pakistan. In the elections of 1946 fought on the single point of division of India people

of this tribe were forerunners in defeating congress candidates who had the backing of more populace

tribes like Jadoons and Sawatis. In fact the representative and leader of this tribe at that time Captain

Sardar Zain Muhammad khan was not only able to defeat rival congress candidate from Abbottabad,s

only constituency at that time but had the honor of representing entire District Hazara in the historic

Delhi Muslim League Parliamentarians Convention which under the leadership of Quaid-E- Azam finally

voted for division of India and creation of Pakistan.

PRESENT

At present and on another historical event in the history of Hazara, when the people of this area wants

to get rid of outside hegemony and to protect their honor and rights have started a struggle for the

creation of a separate province again the people of this tribe are in forefront and are fighting for this just

cause with all their resources. In fact this struggle was initiated by none other than Sardar Haider Zaman

alis BaBa who is elder and leader of the Karlal tribe at present. Entire population of Hazara Division is

united under the leadership of Sardar Haider Zaman to get their rights and to create a province in which

culture and the rights of every hazarawal irrespective of his race color or creed is protected and has the

opportunity to flourish.