Achakzai
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Achakzai (baloch: اچکزئی, Pashto: اڅکزی) is the name of a group of families who belong to the Pashtun subtribe of the Tareen - Bor Tareen clan. Members of this group use Achackzai as their title or last-name so that they can keep record of their family tree and to easily recognize one another. The Achakzais are found primarily in southern Afghanistan and the region around Quetta, Pakistan. The tribe has a reputation in some circles for its raiding and smuggling activities since at least the time of Elphinstone.[1]
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[edit] Sub-Tribes
This tribe is mainly divided into three subtribes
- AliSher
- Badin
- Gujjan
[edit] Further divisions
These tribes are further divided into various other sub-groups. There are various other subtribes within the 3 Sub clans of Achakzai clan, examples are: Asheyzai, Malayzai, Adozai, Shamshozai, Sultanzai, Matakzai, Ishaqzai, Alizai, Shakarzai, Hamidzai, and Ghabizai. These sub-groups are mainly settled in Pakistan.
[edit] Origin
The home area of the Achakzais is mainly in Southern Kandahar District Afghanistan and the bordering areas in Baluchistan Province, Pakistan. Major cities of the Achakzai are Spin Boldak in Afghanistan and Chaman and Qilla Abdullah in Pakistan. They are also in Gulistan, Toba Achakzai, Ghazi Abdullah Khan and Quetta.
[edit] History
[edit] British Era
Ghazi Abdullah Khan Achakzai was one of the leaders of the Afghan War of Independence of 1839. This war resulted in the destruction of a British Army that was 18,000 strong. The lone survivor was a doctor who made it to the fort of Jalalabad.
Ghazi Maedad Khan Achakzai was a commander of Afghan Army in second Anglo-Afghan war. He was given the duty to collect warriors of Achakzai tribe and command them into the second Anglo-Afghan war against british army. He fought on the side of Ghazi Ayub Khan in the Battle of Maiwand and was injured in this battle. Maedad Khan Achakzai was son of Badin Khan Achakzai, grand son of Gul Mohammad Khan Achakzai. He belonged to the Tharhatzai subtribe of Hamidzai Achakzais and was born in the Jilga district of Toba Achakzai. He died in the province of Herat where he had been serving in Afghan Army.
[edit] Soviet Era
Esmat Muslim was an Achakzai of the Adozai subclan and was a renowned military leader of the Soviet-backed regime in Afghanistan. His role in the conflict remains controversial, however, as he frequently changed sides between the Government and the rebels.He has killed several people of Afghanistan as working for Soviet Union.
[edit] Nationalism
The Achakzais have been very active in the Pashtun nationalist movement. They are demanding, among other things, a separate province for the Pashtuns living in Pakistan to be named Pashtunistan, which must include: Quetta, Qilla Abdullah, Mianwali and the Pashtun parts of Balochistan, NWFP, FATA. Some famous Achakzai's are Mahmood Khan Achakzai (MNA & Chairman of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party), and his father was another respectable politician, Shaheed Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai. Mulla Abdul Salam Asheyzai was another renowned nationalist poet of this tribe who wrote some famous books based on Islamic issues and Pashtun nationalism his famous books include (Talab-e-Mazhab and Sosan-e-Chamman). Historically, the Achakzais have always fought for their land and most of the Achakzais are good in negotiation and conflict resolution. In addition, Achakzais are famous for their outspokenness.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Barnett, R. Rubin, The Fragmentation of Afghanistan, Page 159
