RACES AND TRIBES

The population contains several ethnological strata, representing the deposits formed by different streams of immigration or invasion. Most numerous and important are the Pathans (Pukhtana), who regard themselves as the dominant class, and form the majority of the agricultural population in Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu, while beyond the administrative border they are in exclusive possession from Chitral to the Gomal. In Hazara, Gujars and other tribes of Indian origin dominate, while Dera Ismail Khan is inhabited mainly by Jats.

Pathan is not now a racial term, whatever its original significance may have been. It now denotes status, and is said in Swat and Dir to describe one who possesses a share in the tribal estate and who has therefore a voice in the village and tribal councils. The pathan tribes are mainly of Uranian origin, but many of their sections are affiliated clans of Hindki ot indigenous descent, others of Syed (Arabian), and a few possibly of Turkish origin.

Next in numerical importance come the Awans or Vassals mainly in Hazara and the Peshawar valley. The Gujars also live in Hazara. They are also numerous in Dir, Swat, and Bajaur, where they speak Pashtu, through on the boders of Dir and Asmar they retain their Indian speech. Other less numerous tribes are the Jats, mostly in Dera Ismail Khan, Syeds, Tanaolis, Malliars, Dhunds, Balochs, Rajputsm Sheikhs, Kharrals, Mughals, Qureshis, Baghbans, Parachas, Kassabs, and Gakhars. Of Hindu castes, the Aroras Khattris, and Brahmans are important. In Jandol and Maidan are various other tribes of Jafir descent converted to Islam, and now reckoned as Pathans.

Of the artisan classes the most numerous are the Tarkhans or carpenters, Some of whom raised under British rule to the status of a professional class as trained engineers next to them in munerical strength are the Julahas (weavers), then come the Lahore (black-smiths). Mochis (leather-workers and shoemakers) Kumhars (potters and brick-burners) Sonars (goldsmiths). And Telis (oil-pressers).

RACES AND TRIBES IN FATA

The Federally Administration Tribal Area (FATA) as its name suggests, is characterized by a strong tribal structure. There are 11 major tribes with several smaller tribes and sub-tribes. The majority of the population is Muslim with a sprinkling of minorities such as Sikhs, Hindus etc. Pushto is the main language with the softer dialect of 'Pushto' being spoken in the south and the more guttural dialect of Pakhtu spoken in north. A less spoken language is Urmari in the south.