POLITICS AND JADOONS

Jadoons have been taking active part in the politics of the country. They have joined almost all the political parties and have taken part in elections and
other political activities, but at the time of elections, their politics mainly revolves round the slogan of tribalism. Though for the time being they have achieved some success through this slogan, this will prove detrimental for their political career in future. This slogan is not an exception to Jadoons only, but all the other tribes of Hazara have too adopted this way of politics. Only a few educated persons of Jadoon tribe are really politicians and they realize the importance of party politics, otherwise rest of them are blind followers of their elders. Since the partition of the sub-continent, Hazara has been considered a stronghold of Pakistan Muslim League. The referendum of 1947, which was held in NWFP Province alone to ascertain the will of the people whether they wanted to join the newly born country of Pakistan or remain part of India, was directly responsible for PML’s popularity in the entire Hazara. After deciding in favour of Pakistan, it was quite natural for the inhabitants of Hazara to develop a sort of grudge against all those having tilt towards nationalism as they had used their vote in favour of India and utilized their energies to oppose the creation of Pakistan. Undoubtedly, the local people have remained loyal to PML as they have been electing the PML nominees, overwhelmingly in the elections held over a period spanning over half a century
But, unfortunately, history is witness to the fact that the politicians affiliated with the PML have always stabbed their mother party in the back, while trying to achieve political and monetary benefits. Their history is writ large with mean acts of switching loyalties caring not the least for their electorates and earning a bad name for the whole Hazara. Jadoons have been actively participating in political activities, notwithstanding the fact that they to have not remained behind others in benefiting from the prevalent trend in politics. Though only a fewer Jadoons have opted for changing loyalties as compared to politicians belonging to other tribes, in the long run their acts have played havoc with their political careers. These acts of political somersaults have taken a heavy toll on their hitherto dominant role in politics, depriving them of their position, ruining their career, and shifting the balance of power in favour of others. Late Iqbal Khan Jadoon, who remained the Chief Minister of NWFP for sometime in seventies, was an eminent politician possessing some of the rare attributes of a statesman. He remained in active politics from early sixties to late seventies. His political career was marked by successive victories in elections and he ruled supreme throughout this time. He was always sent to the assembly with overwhelming majority, and, in return he did his utmost to serve the people of Hazara, irrespective of their caste and political affiliations. He, through his tenacity, wisdom and the faculties of his head and soul ruled over the hearts of his electorate for a long time. Among some important achievements to his credit, is the creation of zone-5 for zonal allocation of jobs on quotas, which put an end to discrimination meted out to Hazara people in the distribution of jobs and other such benefits. Apart from that, he did a good deal for the development of Hazara and for social as well as economic uplift of the local population. His woks were unequalled in the annals of history and the locals would be benefiting from the projects evolved in the light of his ideas and strategies, for a long time to come. Another big achievement to his credit is that he, for the first time, moved a resolution in the defunct West Pakistan Assembly demanding a separate Hazara Division, which hitherto was part of Peshawar Division. He is much revered among the populace of the area till this day and the elders of the area lament that with his death a vacuum is created and his successors have failed to fill the gap. Only time will tell who is bold enough to come forward and occupy the position lying vacant since his death in 1984. In 1932, constitutional reforms were granted to the NWFP under which, elections for the provincial assembly were held at different intervals in the province. Jadoons also participated in the elections. The following Jadoons were elected in different elections at different times.

BRITISH RULE: 1849-1947

The Sikhs’ power was finally broken in 1849 with the surrender of Chattar Singh and the entire Sikh army to the British at Rawalpindi at the end of Second Sikh War, which was followed by the annexation of the Punjab. Major James Abbot became the first Deputy Commissioner of Hazara in 1849 and remained there till 1853. He was succeeded by Herbert Edward, who selected the southern end of the Rash plain for new cantonment and named it afrter his predecessor Major James Abbot as Abbottabad.

THE BATTLE OF MANGAL: 1821 AD

Jadoons, Tanolis, Marjans, Karrals and their other allies intercepted the passage of Hari Singh Nalwa, Governor of Kashmir, at Mangal, who was coming from Kashmir without facing any resistance from Garhi Habibullah to Mansehra. Parleys having failed, Hari Singh stormed their position and burnt Mangal town. Jadoons, Tanolies, Marjans and other allies suffered a heavy loss of lives. As a further punishment, Hari Singh levied a fine of rupees 5/- on every household inhabited by Jadoons. He built a fort at Nawanshehr in the centre of Jadoons’ area and garrisoned it with strong contingent of Sikh force. The exploits of Hari Singh pleased Ranjit Singh, who appointed him the governor of Hazara. In between 1822 and 1837, Hari Sing ruled Hazara with unprecedented barbarity. In 1823, he inflicted severe chastisement on Jadoons, Swathis and Tanolies, who had taken advantage of his absence and attacked the forts of Nawanshehr, Shinkiari and Darband. The Jadoons were defeated at Nawanshehr with heavy slaughter. At Nara in Mishwani area, Hari Singh himself was wounded in the fighting. When recovered, he surprised the Jadoon villagers of Bagra, where he slew every armed man, as Jadoons had sided with Mishwani and Utmanzais in the encounters of Nara.
A renowned hero of Jadoon tribe, Shaikha Salar Jadoon, father of Abdullah Khan of village Chamba, alongwith other notables of the Hazara, was blown away from a gun at Haripur on the orders of Hari Singh Nalwa on the advice of Muqadam Musharaf, chief of the Gujars of Kotnajibullah.

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Names of some other valient heroes blown away from gun, besides Sheikha Jadoon, are as under:

1. BostanKhan,TarinPathanofDervesh.
   
2. Muhammad Khan, Tarin Pathan of Talokar
   Mohri.
   
3. JalalKhan,DilazakPathanofSaraiSaleh.
   
4. SherMuhammad,MishwaniPathan.
   
5. SalimKhan,MishwaniPathan.
   

During the First Sikh War in 1846, the people of Hazara attempted to shake off Sikhs’ rule and the first to rise were Dhunds, lead by the Pirs of Palasi. They were joined later by the people of Northern Hazara, the Jadoons, the Tarins, the Tanolis and Karrals, etc. During Sikh rule, Barkhurdar Khan, Peru Khel, Hassazai of Dhamtaur was the Khan of the Jadoon tribe. 

SIKHS’ RULE: 1818-48

Sikhs’ rule in Hazara started from 1818 AD when Hashim Khan, a Turk of Mankrai, murdered his fellow chieftain, Kamal Khan. To save himself, Hashim Khan betrayed his country to the Sikhs. At his invitation, Makhan Singh, the Sikh Governor of Rawalpindi, invaded Hazara and built a fort at Serai Saleh, and levied tribute from Haripur plain. 

DURRANI RULE

Durranis controlled Hazara through heads or chiefs of different tribes, to whom large allowances and Jagirs were awarded. Kabul rulers were only interested in drawing good fighters from different tribes, as needed from time to time and, to have a safe journey between Kabul and Kashmir rather than exacting revenue. Jadoons were also managed through their chiefs. Soldiers of Jadoon and Tanoli tribes had gallantly taken part in the third battle of Pani Pat in 1761 AD fought between the forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali and Marhattas. 

JADOONS’ INTRUSION INTO HAZARA

The Jadoons intruded into the Hazara, round about the end of seventeenth or at the beginning of eighteenth century. In this respect, the views of the Gazetteer of Hazara District, 1907 are as under:
“During the decline of Mughal dynasty, changes of great importance took place in the political constitution of the tracts, now included in the district. These changes arose mainly from two causes - the decay of vitality of the old families, and the increasing

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aggressiveness of the Pathans and their allied races. One of the most notable of these events was the invasion of Pakhli by Swathis in a succession of inroads during the seventeenth century. They came from Swat, the country on the Swat river northeast of Peshawar, being driven out by pressure from the Pathan tribes.
Shortly before their eviction, their Sovereign was one Sultan Pakhal, of the dynasty of the Jehangiri Sultans, from whom the name of Pakhli is derived. The latest inroad was probably made early in the eighteenth century, and was led by a Saiad named Jalal Baba, whose tomb is in the Bhogarmong valley. The Turks were dispossessed, and the Swathies established themselves in the northern portion of the district and in the hill country adjoining to the west.
Similarly, the Tanolies, were pushed out of their trans-Indus country round Mahaban by the Yusufzais, and established themselves in the tracts now called by their name. The Jadoons, a Pathan tribe, also crossed the Indus and appropriated to the old Turk rights in the country round Dhamtaur. The Karrals and Dhunds began to assert their independence of the Gakhars; the Pathan tribe of Tarins acquired a large portion of the rights of the elder Gujar families in the Hazara plain; and the Utmanzais, whom the remaining Gujars called across the Indus to Tarbela in order to strengthen their position, obtained possession by mortgage and sale of much of the land belonging to those who had invited their aid.

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All these events appear to have taken place in the end of seventeenth or at the beginning of the 18th century. In the total absence of all written records, it is impossible to place them in their correct order, or to describe exactly how they came about. Nor is it necessary to repeat the exaggerated traditions of each tribe. The changes were the natural result of the absence of a strong controlling central authority, and of a system in which might was the chief or only right. A weak tribe would find its territory the subject of harassing demands and attacks from some poor but braver tribe in the vicinity. Unable to defend itself unaided, it would call its neighbours to help. To them, it would give land in payment for their arms and, on a service tenure, subordinate to the old lords. But in the course of time, the latter would become stronger, while their retainers would grow more numerous and exacting in their demands, and so, gradually, the original tribe would be entirely supplanted.
Accounts of the Jadoon intrusion, their settlement and encounters with local tribes in the Hazara have been recorded in details in the history books. Hence, here lengthy detail has been avoided.
Due to rapid growth in population, particularly in its Hassazai subsections, Jadoon tribe had faced great hardships in the area. Because, the area, in which they were dwelling, was mostly mountainous and unproductive. Large families and meager income compelled them to search for new avenues. So, under the law of nature, they had to struggle for their survival and tried their fortune in the cis-Indus of Hazara. In the lower plain of Hazara, Jadoon, firstly acquired lands through mortgages from Dilazaks and Turks around villages of Bagra, Shahmaqsood, etc.

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On the northern side of the Hazara, a body of strong fighting men of Jadoon tribe particularly of its Hassazai subsection were staying at Inayatabad and Gherwal in Pakhli Plain as mercenaries under the protégé of Swathi Khans. Swathi Khans exploited them against their rivals.
During the decline of Mughals, changes of great importance took place on the political arena of the tracts now included in Hazara. Due to loose control of the central government, there was a complete anarchy in the northern parts of the Mughal Empire. The law of “Might is Right” was prevailing everywhere.
In those days of anarchy, a dispute erupted between Karral and Tanoli tribes of Hazara over the usurpation of Karral rights by the later at Chamba village. Karrals at that time were weak and not in a position to take back lands from Tanolis. In these circumstances, the only alternative for Karral tribe was to seek help of a stronger tribe against the aggressor. So, the Karrals approached Swathi Khans of Pakhli and sought their help. They (Swathis) acceded to their request and persuaded Jadoons to help the Karrals. As already been mentioned, a group of Jadoons at that time was staying at Pakhli. An agreement was reached between both the tribes (Jadoon and Karral with the mediation of Swathi Khans), according to which, villages of Jaswal and Kyal were to be granted to Jadoons as a reward in case of success. Accordingly, Jadoons marched from Pakhli towards Karrals’ territory. On the way, they encamped at Dhamtaur, which was part of the Turks’ domain. The scenery of Dhamtaur and its fertile agricultural land attracted the Jadoons. Instead of

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going onward they decided to prolong their stay at Dhamtaur, which created doubts in the minds of Turks. They considered it an open challenge to their authority. So, they attacked the Jadoons but were defeated by being inflicted with a heavy loss of lives. The success of Jadoons proved a turning point in their future role in Hazara. Turks were evicted from their possession. Consequently, Jadoons emerged as a third power, besides Tanolis and Karrals, in the area. They became master of vast lands and steadied their footings in Hazara. To strengthen their position further, they sent for reinforcement from Trans-Indus Area.
The day to day changing situation in their neighbour-hood alerted the Tanolis and Karrals. They felt danger from the newly emerging power of Jadoons. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, both the tribes shunned their differences and united themselves against Jadoons. Turks also joined hands with them. Hence, a new and great alliance of Tanolies, Karrals and Turks was formed against the Jadoons. On the other hand, Jadoons were not sitting idle. They were aware of the seriousness of the situation and ulterior motives of the alliance. To strengthen their position, they had requested their brethren in Gadoon Area for help. So, fresh reinforcements of Jadoons were despatched to Dhamtour from Gadoon Area.
At that time, Sahib Khan and Bhadur Khan were the leading Khans and rulers of Tanolies while Mustajab Khan and Aziz Khan were leaders of Karrals. Under their command, allied forces attacked the Jadoons, but they (Jadoons) charged them so gallantly that the allied forces could not stand before

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them. Jadoons fought under the command of Naseer Khan, Peru Khel, Hassazai. Sahib Khan Tanoli, the leading commander of the allied forces, was killed in the encounter, which disheartened the allied forces and they ran away from the battlefield in panic. They also suffered a heavy loss of lives. In this way, Jadoons carried the day. The battle was fought at Dhamtaur plain.
After the defeat of Karrals, Tanolis and Turks, the Jadoons occupied their villages such as Banda Bazdar, Langra, Khuta Qabr area, Banda Sahib Khan, Kalu Maira, Nowshera, etc, from Tanolis. Karrals surrendered to them the villages of Bagnotaur, Sirbanha, Rajoia plain (all ilaka such as of Dhangar) Sultanpur, Chamba, etc. Turks were deprived of Dhamtaur, Rash Plain upto Tannan and Salhad pass. After the victory of Dhamtaur, Jadoons established themselves in the Rash plain and Dhanger.
Now the Jadoons had taken steps to apportion the conquered land among themselves. The whole land was firstly divided into three divisions also called tappas with their headquarters at Dhamtaur, Nawanshehr and Rajoia. Tappa means a district, tract, country, etc. and not a representative of subsection, section or a branch of a tribe, as wrongly considered by the masses. Salhad, Shaikul Bandi, Bagnotaur, Sirbanha and half of Mangal area were attached with Dhamtaur. Kakul, Mirpur and half of the Mangal area with Nawanshehr. Banda Said Khan, Banda Buzdar, Nowshera, Langra, Banda Sahib Khan, Kalu Maira, Chamba, Sultanpur, Bandi Atai Khan, Banda Shaikhan, Keyala, Chamnaka, Jeswal, Keyal, Gharhi Phulgran and the remaining Dhangar with Rajoia. The distribution of tappas or divisions

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was made by drawing lots. Dhamtaur had fallen to Hassazais, Nawanshehr to Mansoors and Rajoia to Salar sections and subsection of Jadoon tribe. After this distribution of land, they shifted to their respective tappas or divisions of land. Although Hassazai is a subsection of Mansoor, yet they were given one third of land on the basis of their larger number of fighting men.
Baghra, Kholian and other surrounding villages had fallen to Hassazai branch through its individual efforts. 

GOVT. ACTION AGAINST POPPY GROWERS-1986

Poppy had been cultivated from centuries in this area, which had been the major source of income of the inhabitants of the area. To eradicate this menace, the government in 1986, firmly decided to stop its cultivation. Consequently, the government, on March 8, 1986, launched a drive to eradicate poppy crop, during which an unpleasant incident took place at Gandaf area, in which five precious lives were lost (according to an other version eight person were killed). Later, in order to prevent largescale poppy cultivation and provide alternate employment opportunities to the people, the government

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established an industrial area, called the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate.
Unfortunately, both the unhappy incidents occurred (1950 and 1986) during the reines of Muslim League (Abdul Qayyum Khan & Arbab Jehangir Khan).
The print media gave wide publicity to this uncalled for incident. The Daily Frontier Post Peshawar, March 9, 1986, described the incident in the following manner:
“120 CULTIVATORS ARRESTED IN GADOON AREA. 5 DIE IN BLOODY SHOWDOWN OVER POPPY GROWTH
“Five persons died and 31 others sustained injuries as a result of exchange of fire between the law enforcing agencies and the poppy cultivators in the Gadoon area of Swabi Tehsil on Saturday, according to APP.
The exchange of fire occurred during the operation for destroying the illegal poppy cultivation in the Gadoon area. At least 120 persons were arrested.”
PRESS NOTE
The District Magistrate of Mardan issued the following press note on that occassion:
”Due to the rising menace of heroin addiction in the country, particularly in un-educated youth, the Government had previously decided to stop all the poppy cultivators gradually in Gadoon area, District

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Mardan, according to a phased program. Last year Union council, Gandaf, was cleared of poppy and this year the enforcement of law was to be carried out in the Union Councils of Kabgani and Ganichatra. In spite of the fact that the special development program costing Rs. 30 crore was being implemented and despite the warning of district authorities not to cultivate the illegal poppy crop in the area, it was cultivated in the two Union councils. It was also grown in the previously non-growing parts of Gandaf Union Council. The local administration of Mardan warned the growers in the Jirga to refrain from the cultivation of the opium. The crop was grown and guarantees were given by the local elected representatives that due protection shall be provided for this illegal crop.
On March 4, the Provincial Government after consultation with the Federal Government made it clear that poppy will not be allowed to be extracted and in no case the ban will be relaxed. To relieve the hardships, the growers were further offered wheat and sugar on 50 percent subsidy as relief as a measure of additional grace. However, the elected representatives of Gadoon still insisted on harvesting the illegal poppy crop.
The government pleaded with the locals requesting them to destroy the poppy crop, voluntarily. After all the peaceful overtures of the government had failed, joint police and Frontier Constabulary Force entered the area on the morning of March 8, 1986 to destroy the poppy crop.
The force was fired upon by the locals. They also stoned the police. The road was blocked with stones and the Gandaf poppy cultivators and others

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occupied the hilltops. The local elected members instigated the masses to take up arms against the law enforcing agencies.
They held meetings at various places and refused peaceful overtures to enforce the ban on poppy cultivation.
During the confrontation, armed procession of the locals repeatedly fired on the law-enforcing agencies. These were dispersed with teargas. On two occasions, the law-enforcing agencies had to resort to firing. As a result of this action, five persons died and 31 received injuries, including members from law and order forces and FIR has been registered and 120 persons have been arrested. The MRD and some other political parties have tried to capitalize on this issue and took out procession in Topi and Swabi in support of poppy growers. However, no untoward incident occurred during these agitations.
As a result of the operation on March 8, Approx: 925 Kanals of poppy crop was destroyed, which is about half of the local poppy cultivated area.”