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.