Karlal facts for kids

The Karlal people (also called Kard'al, Karaal, Karhral, or Kiraal) are a group who speak the Hindko language. They live mostly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Most Karlal families live in the hilly Galyat and Nara areas of Abbottabad District. Some also live in Haripur District. A smaller number can be found in Kotli District in nearby Azad Kashmir. Today, many Karlal prefer to be called Sardar, which means "chief" or "leader" in the Farsi language.

Who Are the Karlal People?

Ancient Roots and Beliefs

The Karlal people believe their family history goes back to a leader named Sardar Kallar Shah. He was the son of Sultan Sujann Shah. It is thought that Sardar Kallar Shah came from southern Afghanistan. Some even believe he was a descendant of the famous ancient leader, Alexander the Great.

In Haripur and Abbottabad, the Karlal are known as Sultan Chief Sardars. They got this name during the time of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1296). During this period, members of the Karlal tribe became rulers of the Galyat region in Hazara.

There is some discussion about the original religion of the Karlal. Hazara was a largely Hindu area until the early 13th century. This suggests the Karlal might have been Hindu or strongly influenced by Hinduism long ago.

Staying Independent Through History

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Karlal managed to stay independent. During the Mughal Empire (1550-1730), another group called the Gakkars tried to control lower Hazara. But the Karlal leader, Morcha Kulli Khan, fought back. He was able to defeat the Gakkar chief and keep his tribe free.

The Turks, who lived to the north, also tried to control the Karlal. Even though the Turks ruled much of Pakhal Sarkar (an old name for Hazara), they never fully took over the Karlal land. Later, during the Durrani period (1740-1800), Afghan rulers did not try to conquer their territory either.

Battles for Freedom

Fighting the Sikhs

When the Sikhs took control of lower Hazara, they tried to expand their power. They wanted to rule the Karlal territory too. In 1822, a large Sikh army was sent by Ranjit Singh. This army was led by a famous general named Amar Singh Majitta.

However, the Karlal, led by their brave chief Sardar Hassan Ali Khan, defeated the Sikh army. Many Sikh soldiers were killed, and General Amar Singh was also killed by the Karlal. A historian named Lepel Griffin wrote about this important battle of Sumandar Khata.

From 1822 to 1845, the Karlal tribe fought many battles against the Sikhs. They successfully kept their independence. In 1844, the Lahore Darbar (Sikh government) sent another large force. This army was led by Diwan Mulraj and Hari Singh. The Karlal used their difficult mountain terrain to their advantage. They defeated the Sikh army at a place called Nah, killing over 150 Sikh soldiers.

Resisting British Rule

In 1857, during a major uprising in India, the Karlal tried to revolt against the British East India Company. However, the British managed to capture the Karlal chief, Sardar Hassan Ali Khan Karlal. Many members of the tribe who joined the uprising were hanged, along with some Dhund tribesmen.

Sardar Hassan Ali Khan Karlal was a very important military leader. He fought for freedom against both the Sikhs and the British in the early 19th century. His brave actions are recorded in history books. English records and local histories from that time describe his courage and clever battle plans. The Karlal were the only tribe under Sardar Hassan Ali Khan's leadership who kept their freedom by defeating powerful armies.

Supporting Pakistan's Creation

Role in the Muslim League

During the movement to create Pakistan, the Karlal tribe strongly supported the Muslim League. In 1944, Captain Sardar Muhammad Zain Khan Karlal, an elder of the tribe, joined the Muslim League. Other important Karlal leaders joined too.

That same year, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, nominated Captain Sardar Zain Khan Karlal to be a member of the All India Muslim League organizing Committee. In the 1946 elections, he was elected to the NWFP Legislative Assembly. He won from the Abbottabad area, even though other larger tribes in Hazara strongly supported the Congress party.

A Voice for Hazara

Captain Sardar Zain Muhammad Khan Karlal encouraged his whole tribe to support the creation of Pakistan. He also had the special honor of representing the entire Hazara District. He attended the historic All India Muslim Parliamentarians convention in Delhi in April 1946. This meeting, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, voted for the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.

In February 1947, the Muslim League started a protest movement against the Congress government in NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Captain Sardar Zain Muhammad Khan, along with many Karlal tribesmen, was put in prison. After Pakistan was created, Captain Sardar Zain Muhammad Khan also served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Revenue in the NWFP government.