Dehri Alladand in Malakand (2014)

• Dehri Alladand in Malakand.
• Shaheeda Abai (martyred grandmother).
• Sir Tor Faqir

.

On April 15, 2014, I had the opportunity to visit Dir, a region in Pakistan. The purpose of my visit was to explore the Koto hydropower site. Accompanying me was Fazal Kareem, a local engineer from Malakand. On our return journey, we reached a place called Dehri Alladand, where Fazal Kareem shared intriguing historical facts about the area.

He began by recounting the arrival of the British in India, initially disguising themselves as merchants but gradually establishing dominance over the region. Prior to British rule, the Mughal and Sikh empires held sway in the area. Following the fall of the Sikh Empire, the British annexed Punjab in 1849. They also occupied certain tribal areas and conducted numerous expeditions over time. Although they were unable to directly interfere with the tribal way of life, the British established the first agency in 1878 with the aim of keeping the Khyber Pass open.

Fazal Kareem delved into the British campaign against Malakand in 1853. He described how the British first launched a raid on the Uthmankhel tribe, engaging in a significant battle at Prang Ghar. Due to the small number of defenders and their limited weaponry, the Uthmankhel were subdued. This action, however, provoked the Ranizais, who wholeheartedly supported their Uthmankhel brethren. In response, the British decided to punish the Ranizais.

In the latter months of 1853, under the command of Lord Klaidy, a brigade was dispatched to confront the Ranizais. They raided Dargai and Kharkaey, two small Ranizais villages situated at the base of the Malakand Pass. The Ranizais, facing a well-equipped enemy with artillery, eventually agreed to pay a ransom of Rs. 5,000. Although the British forces arrived, their primary objective remained seizing control of the pass at any cost.

Aware of the British intentions, Pukhtoons from various parts of Malakand Division proclaimed jihad against the colonial power. The situation in Buner, ruled by Syed Akbar Shah Badshah, known as Ameerul Jihad, was particularly tense. The British repeatedly planned to storm Buner but struggled to find a viable strategy.

In 1877, following the death of the influential Akhund Sahib (Saidu Baba) of Swat, the Pukhtoon union, which had troubled the British, disintegrated. Exploiting the rivalries among the Pukhtoons, Lord Klaidy led a formidable army into Ranizais territory via Palai and Sherkhana, two hamlets located at the southern boundary of Malakand Agency. Once again, the Ranizai tribe resorted to arbitration.

Moving forward to April 1895, Fazal Kareem recounted the war initiated by Sir Arlo, a major in the British Army, and Colonel Kelly against Umara Khan, a renowned and indomitable sardar (chieftain) and shrewd politician known as "the Afghan Napoleon" by Sir Winston Churchill. The British forces established their camp at Dargai and Kharkay. With the assistance of Prince Ibrahim Khan, the British warned the Ranizais against resisting. However, when the British advanced towards Malakand, a fierce battle erupted at the Malakand Pass, where the Swat Ranizais displayed exceptional valor.

The Uthmankhel of Bar Swat, Dir, and Bajaur joined forces, dealing a severe blow to the enemy. Faced with mounting losses, the British resorted to negotiations. On September 12, 1895, an agreement was signed between the British and the Swat and Sam Ranizais.

In 1897, during the second Battle of Malakand, the Sam Ranizais remained passive while the Swat Ranizais continued to resist. This battle proved decisive, with Pukhtoon women even joining the fight. Fazal Kareem highlighted the bravery of a woman from Dheri Alladand, a respected family, whose name is not widely known. She fought tirelessly, providing sustenance and support to the mujahideen until she was martyred. She rests in an unmarked grave on the outskirts of Dheri Alladand, known locally as Shaheeda Abai (Martyred Grandmother).

Another notable figure mentioned by Fazal Kareem was Hazrat Sadullah Khan, also known as Sar Tor Faqir (Bear-Headed Faqir), Mullah Mastan, or Mad Mullah to the British. Hailing from Riga, Buner in Swat, Sar Tor Faqir gathered a group of mujahideen and launched an assault on Malakand, where the enemy had taken positions.

Upon learning of Sar Tor Faqir's proclamation of jihad, the British dispatched the Mardan Guides Regiment to pursue him. While the British troops captured Amandara, Sar Tor Faqir marched from Landakay towards Thana, where additional mujahideen joined his small band. Together, they advanced to Dheri Alladand and then to Batkhela, bypassing the British forces at Amandara. Their ultimate goal was to raid Malakand.

At Malakand Khas, Sar Tor Faqir launched an assault on the British and soundly defeated them. The Sikhs later joined the British, but despite their combined forces, they were still unable to prevail. The mujahideen captured the British quarter guard, seizing a substantial quantity of arms and ammunition. The battle continued until dawn, resulting in significant casualties for the enemy. Nineteen mujahideen, including Sar Tor Faqir, were martyred. Sar Tor Faqir's tomb stands at the base of Elephant Pass (Hathi Darrah) south of Zulamkot village in Malakand.

Fazal Kareem mentioned another notable figure, Hazrat Sikandar Shah Shaheed, who would carry a large red and white banner. Even after his followers were martyred, he continued to fight until he fell near the British front line. It is believed that Hazrat Sikandar Shah Shaheed (Spin Shaheed) is buried near the modern road close to the Malakand Pass. The ex-political agent of Malakand, Abdul Wakil Shah, constructed a beautiful mausoleum for him during his tenure from 1991 to 1993, using funds collected for the purpose.

Adjacent to Sikandar Shah Shaheed's tomb, a mosque has been constructed, where travelers passing through the area, from Mingora and beyond, stop to offer prayers.

Fazal Kareem emphasized that the bravery of the Pukhtoon mujahideen has been acknowledged even by British writers in their reports and books. He cited Captain J. Young and Colonel Sir Francis, authors of the book "Relief of Chitral," who spoke highly of the enemy's courage. They recounted instances of individual bravery, such as a leader who carried a large red and white banner and charged the Scottish Borderers halfway up the hill. The leader fought on alone, undeterred, despite sustaining heavy wounds, until he was eventually shot dead near the British line. Another example was a drummer who, not content with his fair share of risks, climbed onto the roof of a hut, becoming a visible target against the sky. He continued to beat his drum despite being hit multiple times until a fatal bullet struck him through the heart, causing him to fall down the cliff with his drum around his neck and his arms still raised to strike it.

Following these events, the British established a new force called the Malakand Field Force to handle the tribes in the Malakand region. One of the members of this force was Winston Churchill, who later became the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Churchill served as a captain in the Malakand Field Force and also worked as a war correspondent for the "Allahbad Pioneer" and the "Daily Telegraph." He gained significant recognition for his book "Story of the Malakand Field Force," which further elevated his reputation.