Karlani
The Karlāṇī (کرلاڼي; also spelled Karrani) are a major Pashtun tribal confederacy.[1] They primarily inhabit the former FATA regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, as well as parts of eastern Afghanistan.
In the 16th century, a branch of the confederacy established the Karrani dynasty, which served as the final ruling dynasty of the Bengal Sultanate before its integration into the Mughal Empire.[2]
| Karlānī کرلاڼي | |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Pashtun (Historically referred as Afghans) |
| Location | Afghanistan, Pakistan |
| Population | several millions |
| Branches | Afridi, Bangash, Banusi, Dawar, Dilzak, Khattak, Khogyani, Mahsud, Mangal, Orakzai, Tanai, Utmankhel, Wardak, Wazir, Zadran, Zazi (Dzadzi),Turi |
| Language | Pashto |
| Religion |  Islam |
.
Origins
[edit]The term Karlani (also spelled Karrani) literally translates to "adopted." The exact genesis of the Karlani Pashtuns remains a subject of historical dispute.[3] The 17th-century Mughal scholar Nimat Allah al-Harawi did not include the Karlani tribes in his genealogical work, the Makhzan-i-Afghani.[4]
According to one Pashtun legend, Karlan was the adopted son of Qais Abdur Rasheed, the eponymous ancestor of the Pashtun people.[5] Another variant of the tradition states that Karlan was a foundling discovered by two Ormur brothers in an empty field where an army had encamped the previous night. One brother, who was childless, reportedly exchanged a cooking pot for the infant, leading to the tribal lore that the Karlanis are "adopted" tribes of potentially non-Pashtun origin.[3][6]
This perceived distinction has led some historians to suggest that various Karlani groups, such as the Afridis or Bangash, may have absorbed elements of Dardic, Arab, or other local lineages over time.[7][8] Certain sections of the Karlani confederacy also claim Sayyid descent from Muhammad.[4] Despite these diverse origin theories, the Karlani tribes identify strictly as Pashtun and adhere to the Pashtunwali code.[5]
Dialect
[edit]Karlani tribes speak central dialect, a distinct dialect of Pashto.[9]
Karlani tribes
[edit]See also
[edit]- Nimat Allah al-Harawi author of Tarikh-i-Khan Jahani Makhzan-i-Afghani also known as The History of the Afghans
- Amir Kror Suri
References
[edit]- ^ Asarjan (2011). The History of The Dilzak Tribe (Urdu) (1st ed.). p. 68.
- ^ Eaton, Richard M. (1993). The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204–1760. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520205079.
- ^ a b Quddus, Syed Abdul (1990). The North-west Frontier of Pakistan. Royal Book Company. p. 72. ISBN 978-969-407-105-3.
Their origin still remains disputed, but according to the most current theory they are known as Karlanis or Karranis, being descendents of Karlani who, as a newborn baby, was picked up from an army...
- ^ a b Brill, E. J. (1993). E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam: 1913-1936. Vol. 1. BRILL. p. 153. ISBN 978-90-04-09787-2.
- ^ a b Siddique, Abubakar (2014). The Pashtun Question: The Unresolved Key to the Future of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hurst. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-84904-292-5.
- ^ Acheson, Ben (2023). The Pashtun Tribes in Afghanistan: Wolves Among Men. Pen and Sword Military. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-3990-6924-3.
- ^ Blunt, Sir Edward (2010). The Caste System of Northern India. Gyan Publishing House. p. 182. ISBN 978-81-8205-495-0.
- ^ "AFRĪDĪ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ Khan, Ibrahim (2021-09-07). "Tarīno and Karlāṇi dialects". Pashto. 50 (661). ISSN 0555-8158. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021.