Product Code Database
The Mullagori or Mulagori or Malagori ( Mullagorai, plur. ملاګوري Mullagori; ) is a Pashtun tribe present in Khyber District, tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Historically, they are one of the smallest tribes of ethnic Pashtuns. They are considered as a sub-tribe of Mohmand Pashtun Ghoryakhel confederacy."Pukhtana da Tarikh pa Ranra key" by Bahadur Shah Zafar Kaka Khel, 1963"The Pathan Borderland" by James W. Spain, Moutin, 1963. ASIN: B0000CR0HH
They are natively based in Mullagori Tehsil of Khyber District and in the Prang Ghar of Mohmand District in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. They are also present in smaller numbers in Charsadda and in Balochistan. In Mullagori Tehsil, their area extends from a little west of Chauki Sparsang to the crest of the Dabrai hill and from the Kabul River on the north to Lakka Sar on the south touching the land of the Kuki khel ( sub-tribe) and Zakha khel (Afridis sub-tribe), and a clan of the Shinwari. Their neighbors on the west are the Shalmani and on the north, the Tarakzai Mohmands.
Almost all of the Mullagoris speak a Northern Pashto of Pashto and some Southern Pashto of Pashto.
The Mullagori were considered to be the fighters tribe of Pashtuns during the British Raj in East India. They settled just north of the Khyber Pass during the time when Islam was brought to South Asia. There are two main settlements of Mullagoris, One type of Mullagori are called "Da Sasobi Mulagori". Sasobi Mulagoris are living in Sasobi area of Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan near Tirah hills, while the other are called "Da Tatare Mulagori" that are living to the north-east of Khyber Pass. Other areas inhabited by the Mullagori include Munda (near Shabqadar), Harichand in Charsadda, Badraga (Malakand Agency), Pir Saddi village in Mardan District and in Peshawar close to Shah Qabul areas of Dabgari, and on Dalazak Road, Nangrahar province near Lal Pura, Kunar Province Province, and Helmand Province (Afghanistan).
As compared to other neighbor tribes like Shinwari, Kuki khels (Afridis), Zakh khels (Afridis), and Mohmands, the Mullagories are relatively uneducated and poor. However, they are well known for their unity and good spirit. They are also expert mountaineers and reign over every tribe of the Khyber range. Time after time, they have been victorious over both the Kuki khel (Afridis) and Zakh khel (Afridis). As a result, none of the Afridis care to be on bad terms with this small clan.
The name Mullagori is derived from Mulla (religious leader) and Ghori (from Muhammad of Ghor). British Empire colonial governmental records misspelled the word Ghori as Gori and that is why the Mulla Gori tehsil is suffixed with Gori not Ghori. In his book, The Pathan Borderland, James W. Spain believes the Mulagori to be the descendants of the Mulla Ghor (son of Ba-Yazid Ansari, the Pir Rokhan of the Pakhtuns, and Pir Tarik of the Mughals). The Pashtun historian Bahadur Shah Zafar Kaka Khel, in his book Pukhtana da Tarikh pa Ranra key, is of the opinion that the Mullagori are a subgroup of the Mohmand tribe."Pukhtana da Tarikh pa Ranra key" by Bahadur Shah Zafar Kaka Khel"The Pathan Borderland" by James W. Spain, Moutin, 1963. ASIN: B0000CR0HH
Dr Latif Yaad in his book Pukhtane Qabil Wapijany writes that Mullagori are basically a part of Mohmands. He tells a story that once few persons in Mohmands went somewhere. One of them was a mullah he separated from them. One of the group members told that "MULLA GORAI" (a phrase meaning "Let's find Mulla" in Pashto) and after that, the person was known as Mullagoray. He adds that according to Famous Pashto Poet, Hamza Shinwari said Mullagoris are behaving and talking like Mohmands so they are basically a part of the Mohmands."Pukhtane Qabile Wapijany" by Dr Latif Yaad
However, some oral sources has further clarified the situation about Mullagori's origin. They opine that Mullagori are in fact a section of Dawezai Momands. Afghanistan, Mullagoree tribal - The tribes on the Frontier - Mullagoree (1870) In the Dawezai area in Mohmand Agency, more than 600 Mullagori families still reside. On the basis of this, Mullagori are Mohmand / Momand, and in Momands belongs to Dawezai sub-section. Youtube Video Interestingly, everywhere Mullagori resides near Momands, and in most cases are in matrimonial relations with them. Youtube Video Historically, Mullagori have remained in a very cordial relations with the other sections of Momands, and have supported each other's causes, in case of tribal wars with other tribes like Afridis etc. Youtube Video
The author of writes:
"Its ancestor, say these, was a stranger who attached himself to the Mohmand and partook their fortunes. Others relate that this ancestor was a Mohmand of the name of "Mullah", who having once taken part with some of his fellows in a robbing enterprise, was afterwards observed by his companions to be standing apart with fixed look as if in meditation; upon which one of them remarked in Pashto "Mullagori" i.e. "Mullah is looking or staring" and the phrase clung to him and finally gave the name to his descendants. Whatever may be thought of this story, certain it is that the Mulla-gori live in the midst and in close community of interest with the hill Mohmand."
William Merk, who prepared a report on Mohmands, had a theory that Mullagoris could be remnants of Dilazak Pashtuns. He writes that Mullagoris have tradition that their ancestors founded a great kingdom, the capital of which was somewhere near Pesh Bolak in Ningarhar (which was formerly inhabited by Dilazaks).William Merk. The Mohmands. Vanguard Publications, ISBN 9694024277, p. 85.
Some other sub-tribes were also came into existence with time, like;
The Taar Khel constitute approximately 50% of the total population of Mullagori residing in the Khyber District. They are known for their high level of education and hold influential positions in various professions. On the other hand, the Pahar Khel exert dominance in the internal affairs of the Mullagori tribe, including traditional practices such as jirga assemblies. They wield significant influence within the tribe, surpassing other sub-tribes in their involvement in tribal matters.
The author of writes:
"The Mullagori clan, with its four sub-divisions of Pahar-Khel, Tar-Khel, Ahmad-Khel and Daulat-khel, is held by some not to be of Afghans stock at all. The clan, numbering about 500 men at the time, is chiefly settled in the Tahtara, where it apportions its time and energies between the conflicting claims of pillage and agriculture. The following are maliks: of the Pahar-Khel, Shengi Khan and Dad Gul; of the Tar-khel, Khadri and Khairu Khan; of the Ahmad-Khel, Mir Alim, son of Sikandar; of the Daulat Khel, Asmatullah."
The Mullagori lashkar, reportedly consisting of over 3,000 armed individuals, initiated a siege on the bases and training camps of Taliban militants near the central Shagai village, including compounds in Sher Bruj Village, Zagah Village, Paindi Lalma Village, and Janda Baba Village. Through their concerted efforts, they compelled the militants to either surrender or flee the area. Some militants sustained injuries during the confrontation. Subsequently, the Mullagori-inhabited villages were cleared of militants, demonstrating the efficacy of the lashkar's operations.Newsline Magazine, October Issue 2008, "The Tribes Fight Back" [10] Youtube Video
In response to a Mullagori tribesman providing refuge to militants, the community took punitive action by demolishing his house. Additionally, the captured militants were handed over to Frontier Corps personnel for further action and prosecution.
This display of resolve and action by the Mullagori tribe illustrates their commitment to safeguarding their community and combating the threat of militancy in their region. Additionally, a Mullagori tribesman who had provided refuge to militants faced consequences, including the demolition of his house.
Inspired by the Mullagoris' actions and with support from the government, the Kalakhel sub-tribe of the Afridis in Bara, Khyber Agency (Now Khyber District), also mobilized. They formed a 300-member lashkar and vowed not to harbor militants fleeing military operations in nearby areas. The Kalakhel tribal elders imposed strict penalties, including the demolition of houses and hefty fines, on those found sheltering militants.Newsline Magazine, October Issue 2008, "The Tribes Fight Back" [12]
The Mullagori lashkar, in its capacity as the Aman Lashkar, remained active for approximately 10 to 15 years, addressing local disputes and providing security for tribal functions alongside the Khasadar.Newsline Magazine, October Issue 2008, "The Tribes Fight Back" [13]
Inspired by the actions of the smaller and seemingly weaker Mullagori tribe, the larger Zakha Khel sub-tribe of the Afridis also pledged to raise its own lashkar following Eid al-Fitr. Determined to prevent militants from finding sanctuary in their territory, the Zakha Khel tribe resolved to take decisive action. The proactive stance taken by the Mullagori tribe served as a catalyst, prompting one Pashtun tribe after another to form lashkars to counter the menace of militants and extremists.
During the ensuing chaos, the Mullagori and Shinwari sepoys, instead of surrendering, fought their way out, displaying unwavering loyalty. Remarkably, a native officer of the Mullagori Company led his men back to safety at Jamrud without losing a single rifle. The valiant defense led to the deaths of approximately one hundred attackers, primarily from the Afridi tribes, while ten Khyber Rifles men lost their lives and two native officers were wounded. A. Qayyum Afridi, The Hill Tribes Along the Eastern Side of Durand Line (Peshawar: Self Published by the Author, 2003).M. Fahim Khan, “The Frontier Rising of 1897”, in Central Asia, Journal of Area Study Center for Russia, China and Central Asia, University of Peshawar, No. 15, Winter 1984, p. 175.
Women commonly attire themselves in black printed cloth, with their everyday and festive attire being similar, except for special occasions when new garments are worn. During the winter months, males often drape themselves in a chadar or woolen blanket for warmth, while females' attire remains unchanged.
Ornamentation plays a significant role, with women adorning themselves with an array of traditional jewelry including bangles, bracelets, anklets (Pazeb), wristlets (Karah), nose rings (Nath), golden rings, and earrings to enhance their appearance and cultural identity.
In every cluster of houses, a Hujra serves as a communal gathering space where male members convene daily to discuss local matters and socialize during leisure time. Additionally, it functions as a guest room, accommodating visitors to the community.
As is believed, most Mullagoris are based in Mullagori Tehsil of Khyber District. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, in the 2017 national census, their population was 40,188, out of which 20,933 were men and 19,254 were women.
| + TABLE - POPULATION BY SEX, RELIGION AND RURAL/URBAN | + MULLA GORI TEHSIL |
| 1 | |
| - | |
| 1 | |
| - | |
| 1 | |
| - | |
| 1 | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - |
It is also believed that approximately 5000 Mullagoris may be present in Prang Ghar Tehsil of Mohmand District and in Charsadda in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and maybe some 10000 approximately in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan..
|
|
