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{{Short description|Nuristani ethnic group}}
{{Short description|Nuristani ethnic group}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
⚫
The '''Katir''' also (''Kati'', ''Kator'', ''Kata'') are a [[Nuristani people|Nuristani]] tribe in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Pakistan]].
| group = Katir (Kati, Kator, Kata)
| image =
| caption =
| population = Approximately 40,000 (as of 1890)
| regions = [[Nuristan]], [[Afghanistan]]; [[Chitral]], [[Pakistan]]
| languages = [[Nuristani languages]]
| religions = Islam (primarily), some still practicing traditional [[Hinduism]]
| related_groups = [[Nuristanis]], [[Dardic people]], [[Kom people (Afghanistan)|Kom people]]
}}
⚫
The '''Katir''' (also spelled '''Kati''', '''Kator''' and '''Kata''') are a [[Nuristani people|Nuristani]] tribe in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Pakistan]].


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
Line 7: Line 17:
The upper part of the Bashgul Valley of [[Nuristan]] ([[Afghanistan]]) is known as Katirgul. It is called Lutdeh in [[Chitral]]i and ''Kantozi'' in [[Pashto language|Pashto]].
The upper part of the Bashgul Valley of [[Nuristan]] ([[Afghanistan]]) is known as Katirgul. It is called Lutdeh in [[Chitral]]i and ''Kantozi'' in [[Pashto language|Pashto]].


According to George Scott Robertson, the Katir ''Siah-Posh'' clan settled in Katirgul valley was called '''Kamtoz''' (or ''Camtoz'') in Pashto and Lutdehhchis in Chitrali (''[[The Kafirs of the Hindu Kush]], p 71''). But American investigator ''Richard Strand's'' website suggests that the name ''Kamtoz/Kamtozi'' may apply to all Katirs of the former ''Siah-Posh'' group, including the Ramguli and Kulam Katirs'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213214722/http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuristani/Kamkata/Kata/kata.html].
According to George Scott Robertson, the Katir ''Siah-Posh'' clan settled in Katirgul valley was called '''Kamtoz''' (or ''Camtoz'') in Pashto and Lutdehhchis in Chitrali (''[[The Kafirs of the Hindu Kush]], p 71''). But American investigator ''Richard Strand's'' website suggests that the name ''Kamtoz/Kamtozi'' may apply to all Katirs of the former ''Siah-Posh'' group, including the Ramguli and Kulam Katirs'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213214722/http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuristani/Kamkata/Kata/kata.html].''


Alternative names for Kamtoz are ''Camtozi'', ''Kantozi''.
Alternative names for Kamtoz are ''Camtozi'', ''Kantozi''.
Despite their fiercely independent nature, the Katis, together with the Kom tribe, were tributary to the [[Mehtar (title)|Mehtar]] of [[Chitral]]. The nature of this tributary relationship was inconsistent because the Katis and Koms would often raid Chitrali territory for livestock and head-hunting. In retaliation the Mehtars would invade the Bashgul Valley and enslave entire villages. During the reign of Mehtar Aman-ul-Mulk the relationship was formalized and the Kafirs would pay an annual tribute of slaves.
Despite their fiercely independent nature, the Katis, together with the Kom tribe, were tributary to the Mehtar of [[Chitral]]. The nature of this tributary relationship was inconsistent because the Katis and Koms would often raid Chitrali territory for livestock and head-hunting. In retaliation the Mehtars would invade the Bashgul Valley and enslave entire villages. During the reign of Mehtar Aman-ul-Mulk the relationship was formalized and the Kafirs would pay an annual tribute of slaves.


Numerous scholars have connected the names Katir/Kator/Kata and [[Kom people (Afghanistan)|Kam]]/[[Kom people (Afghanistan)|Kom]] with ancient [[Kambojas]] and identified the [[Hindukush Kafir people|Kafirs]], especially the ''Siah-Posh'' Kafirs, as having descended from ancient. The Kata Tribe also lives in Chitral and very much mixed with Chitralies. There is a popular stone by the name of Kata Boht situated in Ozhore (Juwara) Valley Chitral. The Kata Tribe also lives in Ozhore and also other part of Chitral. The other fact is the tribe lives in Gram; ''gram'' is a Nuristani word meaning "village". In ancient times, people were considered rich according to their ownership of animals or land. As the Kata tribe in Chitral was considered to be relatively rich, over time, Chitrali speakers began to use ''kata'' to mean "rich" or "big".<ref>H.H. Wilson, M. Elphinstone, Bombay Gazetteer, D. Wilber, M. C. Gillet, W. K. Fraser Tytler, R. L. Mitra, H. C. Raychaudhury, [[Royal Asiatic Society|''J.R.A.S'']]. 1843, J.A.S.B. 1874 etc.</ref>
Numerous scholars have connected the names Katir/Kator/Kata and [[Kom people (Afghanistan)|Kam]]/[[Kom people (Afghanistan)|Kom]] with ancient [[Kambojas]] and identified the [[Hindukush Kafir people|Kafirs]], especially the ''Siah-Posh'' Kafirs, as having descended from ancient. The Kata Tribe also lives in Chitral and very much mixed with Chitralies. There is a popular stone by the name of Kata Boht situated in Ozhore (Juwara) Valley Chitral. The Kata Tribe also lives in Ozhore and also other part of Chitral. The other fact is the tribe lives in Gram; ''gram'' is a Nuristani word (of Indo-Aryan origin) meaning "village" (as a "community"). In ancient times, people were considered rich according to their ownership of animals or land. As the Kata tribe in Chitral was considered to be relatively rich, over time, Chitrali speakers began to use ''kata'' to mean "rich" or "big".<ref>H.H. Wilson, M. Elphinstone, Bombay Gazetteer, D. Wilber, M. C. Gillet, W. K. Fraser Tytler, R. L. Mitra, H. C. Raychaudhury, [[Royal Asiatic Society|''J.R.A.S'']]. 1843, J.A.S.B. 1874 etc.</ref>


==History==
==History==


[[Kafiristan]] is a mountainous region of the [[Hindu Kush]] that was isolated and politically independent until the conquest by [[Emirate of Afghanistan|Afghan]] conquest of 1896. The region became a refuge of an old group of [[Indo-European people]] probably mixed with an older substratum, as well as a refuge of a distinct Kafiri group of [[Indo-Iranian languages]], forming part of the wider [[Dardic languages]]. The inhabitants were known as "[[kafir]]s" due to their enduring Hinduism while other regions around them became Muslim. However, the influence from district names in Kafiristan of Katwar or Kator and the ethnic name Kati has also been suggested. The Kafirs were divided into [[Siah-Posh Kafirs|Siyah-Posh]], comprising five sub-tribes who spoke [[Kata-vari dialect|Lato language]] while the others were called [[Safed-Posh]] comprising Prasungeli, Wangeli, Wamais and Ashhkun.<ref name=Pellat>{{cite book|title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume IV|editor1=C. E. Bosworth|editor1-link=C. E. Bosworth|editor2=E. Van Donzel|editor3=Bernard Lewis|editor3-link=Bernard Lewis|editor4=Charles Pellat|editor4-link=Charles Pellat|page=409|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]}}</ref>
[[Kafiristan]] is a mountainous region of the [[Hindu Kush]] that was isolated and politically independent until the conquest by [[Emirate of Afghanistan|Afghan]] conquest of 1896. The region became a refuge of an old group of [[Indo-European people]] probably mixed with an older substratum, as well as a refuge of a distinct Kafiri group of [[Indo-Iranian languages]], forming part of the wider [[Dardic languages]]. The inhabitants were known as "[[kafir]]s" due to their enduring polytheism (closely related to Vedic religion) while other regions around them became Muslim. However, the influence from district names in Kafiristan of Katwar or Kator and the ethnic name Kati has also been suggested. The Kafirs were divided into [[Siah-Posh Kafirs|Siyah-Posh]], comprising five sub-tribes who spoke [[Kata-vari dialect|Katɘ language]] while the others were called [[Safed-Posh]] comprising Paruni, Waigeli, Wamai and Ashkun.<ref name=Pellat>{{cite book|title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume IV|editor1=C. E. Bosworth|editor1-link=C. E. Bosworth|editor2=E. Van Donzel|editor3=Bernard Lewis|editor3-link=Bernard Lewis|editor4=Charles Pellat|editor4-link=Charles Pellat|page=409|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]}}</ref>


The Nuristani/Kafir people practiced a form of ancient Hinduism, infused with accretions developed locally.<ref name="nuristan.info">{{cite web|url=http://nuristan.info/Nuristani/Nuristanis1.html|title=Richard Strand's Nuristân Site: Peoples and Languages of Nuristan|author=Richard F. Strand|date=31 December 2005|work=nuristan.info}}</ref> Kafirs represent non-Rig Vedic Aryans, identical with the [[Dahae|Dasas]]. That their ancestors were pre-Rigvedic Aryans can be inferred from lingusitic, ethnological and theological evidence. The Kafiri/Nuristani languages contain certain [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] phoenetic features not found in [[Indo-Iranian languages]]. Their chief deity is Imra ie., [[Yamaraja]] which was brought there by the Dasas who worshipped Asuras especially Yama and [[Varuna]]. Another of their goddess Dhisana is identical to the marginalized Yama in the [[Rig Veda]]. They also worshipped [[Indra]] or Inthra.<ref>{{cite book|title=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona|pages=
The Nuristani/Kafir people practiced a form of ancient Hinduism, infused with accretions developed locally.<ref name="nuristan.info">{{cite web|url=http://nuristan.info/Nuristani/Nuristanis1.html|title=Richard Strand's Nuristân Site: Peoples and Languages of Nuristan|author=Richard F. Strand|date=31 December 2005|work=nuristan.info}}</ref> Kafirs represent non-Rigvedic Aryans, identical with the [[Dahae|Dasas]]. That their ancestors were pre-Rigvedic Aryans can be inferred from linguistic, ethnological and theological evidence. The Kafiri/Nuristani languages contain certain phonetic features not found in [[Indo-Iranian languages]]. Their chief deity is Imra i.e. [[Yamaraja]] which was brought there by the Dasas who worshipped Asuras especially Yama and [[Varuna]]. Their primary goddess was Disani. They also worshipped [[Indra]] or Inder.<ref>{{cite book|title=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona|pages=109–110|publisher=[[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]]|year=2003}}</ref>
109–110|publisher=[[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]]|year=2003}}</ref>


===Invasion of Timur (1398)===
===Invasion of Timur (1398)===
On his way to India, Timur attacked the Siyah-Posh in 1398 A.D. after receiving complaints from the trading city of [[Andarab]] by raids from Kafirs. He penetrated it from Khawak pass and restored an old fortress there.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Baz_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA85&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwikidO4rIDZAhVIvY8KHbOuAlc4ChDoAQhJMAg#v=onepage&f=false|title=An Historical Geography of Iran|author=Vasily Bartold|author-link=Vasily Bartold|page=85|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]}}</ref> Timur personally proceeded against the Kator and sent a detachment of 10,000 soldiers against [[Siah-Posh Kafirs|Siyah-Poshas]] under Burhan Aglan and had the fort of Kator deserted by Kafirs destroyed while the houses of the city were burnt.<ref name=Majumdar>{{cite book|title=The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Delhi Sultanate|author=R.C. Majumdar|author-link=R.C. Majumdar|page=113|publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=1951}}</ref>
On his way to India, Timur attacked the Siyah-Posh in 1398 A.D. after receiving complaints from the trading city of [[Andarab]] by raids from Kafirs. He penetrated it from Khawak pass and restored an old fortress there.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Baz_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA85|title=An Historical Geography of Iran|author=Vasily Bartold|date=14 July 2014|author-link=Vasily Bartold|page=85|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]|isbn=9781400853229}}</ref> Timur personally proceeded against the Kator/Katwar and sent a detachment of 10,000 soldiers against [[Siah-Posh Kafirs|Siyah-Poshas]] under Burhan Aglan and had the fort of Kator/Katwar deserted by Kafirs destroyed while the houses of the city were burnt.<ref name=Majumdar>{{cite book|title=The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Delhi Sultanate|author=R.C. Majumdar|author-link=R.C. Majumdar|page=113|publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=1951}}</ref>


The Kafirs took refuge on top of a hill and many were killed in the ensuing clash. Some held out for three days but agreed to convert after Timur offered them the choice between death and Islam. They however soon apostatised and ambushed Muslim soldiers in the night. They were however repelled and a number of the Kafirs were killed, with 150 taken prisoner and later executed. Timur ordered his men "to kill all the men, to make prisoners of women and children, and to plunder and lay waste all their property." His soldiers carried out the order and he directed them to build a tower of skulls of the dead Kafirs. Timur had his expedition engraved on a neighboring hill in the month of Ramazan. His detachment sent against Siyah-Poshas however met with disaster with Aglan routed and fleeing. A small detachment of 400 men under Muhammad Azad was sent and defeated the Kafirs, retrieving the horses and armour Aglan lost. Timur captured a few places later, though nothing more is stated, presumably he left the Siyah-poshas alone. He then proceeded to exterminate the rebellious Afghan tribes and crossed the Sindhu river in September 1398.<ref name=Majumdar/>
The Kafirs took refuge on top of a hill and many were killed in the ensuing clash. Some held out for three days but agreed to convert after Timur offered them the choice between death and Islam. They however soon apostatised and ambushed Muslim soldiers in the night. They were however repelled and a number of the Kafirs were killed, with 150 taken prisoner and later executed. Timur ordered his men "to kill all the men, to make prisoners of women and children, and to plunder and lay waste all their property." His soldiers carried out the order and he directed them to build a tower of skulls of the dead Kafirs. Timur had his expedition engraved on a neighboring hill in the month of Ramazan. His detachment sent against Siyah-Posh however met with disaster with Aglan routed and fleeing. A small detachment of 400 men under Muhammad Azad was sent and defeated the Kafirs, retrieving the horses and armour Aglan lost. Timur captured a few places later, though nothing more is stated, presumably he left the Siyah-Posh alone. He then proceeded to exterminate the rebellious Afghan tribes and crossed the Sindhu river in September 1398.<ref name=Majumdar/>


=== Conversion to Islam (late 19th century) ===
=== Conversion to Islam (late 19th century) ===
The territory between Afghanistan and [[British Raj|British India]] was [[Durand Line|demarcated between 1894 to 1896]]. Part of the frontier lying between Nawa Kotal in outskirts of [[Mohmand Agency|Mohmand country]] and [[Bashgal Valley]] on outskirts of Kafiristan were demarcated by 1895 with an agreement reached on 9 April 1895.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PfrXAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA162&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjjueb-sYDZAhVErY8KHaUfAxQQ6AEILTAC#v=onepage&f=false|title=An Historical Geography of Iran|author=Vasily Bartold|author-link=Vasily Bartold|page=85|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]}}</ref> Emir [[Abdur Rahman Khan]] invaded Kafiristan in the winter of 1895-1896 and captured it in 40 days according to his autobiography. Columns invaded it from the west through Panjshir to Kullum, the strongest fort of the region. The columns from the north came through [[Badakhshan]] and from the east through [[Asmar, Afghanistan|Asmar]]. A small column also came from south-west through [[Laghman Province|Laghman]]. The Kafirs were converted to Islam and resettled in Laghman while the region was settled by veteran soldiers and other Afghans. Kafiristan was renamed as [[Nooristan]].<ref name=Sykes1>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXAABAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA195&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWx732tIDZAhUGro8KHSkABdQQ6AEILzAC#v=onepage&f=false|title=A History of Afghanistan: Volumes 1 and 2, Volume 1|author=Percy Sykes|author-link=Percy Sykes|publisher=Routledge|page=195}}</ref>
The territory between Afghanistan and [[British Raj|British India]] was [[Durand Line|demarcated between 1894 and 1896]]. Part of the frontier lying between Nawa Kotal in outskirts of [[Mohmand Agency|Mohmand country]] and [[Bashgal Valley]] on outskirts of Kafiristan were demarcated by 1895 with an agreement reached on 9 April 1895.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PfrXAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA162|title=An Historical Geography of Iran|author=Vasily Bartold|date=17 October 2013|author-link=Vasily Bartold|page=85|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]|isbn=9781107662094}}</ref> Emir [[Abdur Rahman Khan]] invaded Kafiristan in the winter of 1895-1896 and captured it in 40 days according to his autobiography. Columns invaded it from the west through Panjshir to Kullum, the strongest fort of the region. The columns from the north came through [[Badakhshan]] and from the east through [[Asmar, Afghanistan|Asmar]]. A small column also came from south-west through [[Laghman Province|Laghman]]. A small number of Kati refugee's escaped across the border into Kalash territory which was on the British side . Villages were founded in a number of valley's with Brumbutal in the [[Bumboret valley]] and Kunisht in a neighbouring Kalash valley, however these to would become Islamic within a generation .<ref>A former Kafir tells his tragic story-notes on the Kati Kafirs of northern Bashgul- Afghanistan - [[Max klimburg]] - [[East & West]] vol 58 - no 1/4 December2008-pp 391-402- published by [[Istituto Italiano Per I'Africa e l'Oriente]] (lSlAO)</ref> The Kafirs were converted to Islam and resettled in Laghman while the region was settled by veteran soldiers and other Afghans. Kafiristan was renamed as [[Nooristan]].<ref name=Sykes1>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXAABAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA195|title=A History of Afghanistan: Volumes 1 and 2, Volume 1|author=Percy Sykes|date=10 July 2014|author-link=Percy Sykes|publisher=Routledge|page=195|isbn=9781317845874}}</ref>


The former Kafiristan Kafiri were renamed Nuristani (The Enlightened Ones) from the proper noun Nuristan (Land of Light). Presently they are known by Nuristani Kata or simply Kata.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
The former Kafiristan's people were renamed Nuristani (The Enlightened Ones) from the proper noun Nuristan (Land of Enlightenment). Presently they are known by Nuristani Kata or simply Kata.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}


[[Georg Morgenstierne]] visited the Bashgul Valley in 1929 during his field work on [[Nuristani languages|Nuristani (Kafir) languages]]. He encountered the two last remaining unconverted "Kafir" priests of the region, called Bagashai and Kareik. Both men were dead by 1935.<ref>[https://www.ub.uio.no/fag/religion-teologi/religionshist/utstilling/utstilling.html Enhet i mangfold? 100 år med religionshistorie i Norge 1898-1998].
[[Georg Morgenstierne]] visited the [[Bumboret Valley]] in 1929 during his field work on [[Nuristani languages|Nuristani (Kafir) languages]]. He encountered the two last remaining unconverted "Kafir" priests of the region, called Bagashai and Kareik. Bagashai deceased after 1935.<ref>[https://www.ub.uio.no/fag/religion-teologi/religionshist/utstilling/utstilling.html Enhet i mangfold? 100 år med religionshistorie i Norge 1898-1998].
Wlodek Witek, [http://www.chart.ac.uk/chart2001/papers/witek.html With Camera to India, Iran and Afghanistan: Access to Multimedia Sources of the Explorer, Professor Dr. Morgenstierne] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323085247/http://www.chart.ac.uk/chart2001/papers/witek.html |date=2012-03-23 }} (1892-1975), National Library of Norway, Oslo.</ref>
Wlodek Witek, [http://www.chart.ac.uk/chart2001/papers/witek.html With Camera to India, Iran and Afghanistan: Access to Multimedia Sources of the Explorer, Professor Dr. Morgenstierne] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323085247/http://www.chart.ac.uk/chart2001/papers/witek.html |date=2012-03-23 }} (1892-1975), National Library of Norway, Oslo.</ref>


Line 38: Line 47:
* The Katirs of [[Bashgul Valley]].
* The Katirs of [[Bashgul Valley]].
* The Katirs or the [[Kti Valley]],
* The Katirs or the [[Kti Valley]],
* The Kulam Katirs of the Kulam country and
* The Kulam Katirs of the [[Kulam]] country and
* The Ramguli Katirs of [[Ramgul Valley]].
* The Ramguli Katirs of [[Ramgul Valley]].
* The Kata of Chitral[[Ozhor]]{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
* The Kata of Chitral: [[Gobor]], [[Rumbur]], [[Bumboret]]{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
* The Jana Matongdir Katirs of [[Ozhor Valley]].


==See also==
==See also==
Line 61: Line 71:
* ''Tribes of Hindukush'', Craz (Austria), 1971, J Biddulph
* ''Tribes of Hindukush'', Craz (Austria), 1971, J Biddulph
* "The Kâta". Retrieved July 4, 2006, from Richard F. Strand: [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213214722/http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuristani/Kamkata/Kata/kata.html ''Nuristan, Hidden Land of the Hindu-Kush''].
* "The Kâta". Retrieved July 4, 2006, from Richard F. Strand: [https://web.archive.org/web/20051213214722/http://users.sedona.net/~strand/Nuristani/Kamkata/Kata/kata.html ''Nuristan, Hidden Land of the Hindu-Kush''].



[[Category:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
[[Category:History of Pakistan]]
[[Category:1398 in Asia]]
[[Category:1398 in Asia]]
[[Category:Nuristani people]]
[[Category:Nuristani tribes]]
[[Category:1895 in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:1895 in Afghanistan]]
·[[کشمکش های تاریخی و سرنوشت قبیله الکته ۱۴۰۰]]

Latest revision as of 19:52, 6 June 2024

Katir (Kati, Kator, Kata)
Total population
Approximately 40,000 (as of 1890)
Regions with significant populations
Nuristan, Afghanistan; Chitral, Pakistan
Languages
Nuristani languages
Religion
Islam (primarily), some still practicing traditional Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Nuristanis, Dardic people, Kom people

The Katir (also spelled Kati, Kator and Kata) are a Nuristani tribe in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Etymology

[edit]

The Katir [ka 'tɘ] or Kata Kafir group was numerically the most dominant group of the Siah-Posh (Persian "Black Wearer/Clothed") tribes. They owned approximately forty villages in the Bashgul valley and numbered about 40,000 (1890).

The upper part of the Bashgul Valley of Nuristan (Afghanistan) is known as Katirgul. It is called Lutdeh in Chitrali and Kantozi in Pashto.

According to George Scott Robertson, the Katir Siah-Posh clan settled in Katirgul valley was called Kamtoz (or Camtoz) in Pashto and Lutdehhchis in Chitrali (The Kafirs of the Hindu Kush, p 71). But American investigator Richard Strand's website suggests that the name Kamtoz/Kamtozi may apply to all Katirs of the former Siah-Posh group, including the Ramguli and Kulam Katirs [1].

Alternative names for Kamtoz are Camtozi, Kantozi. Despite their fiercely independent nature, the Katis, together with the Kom tribe, were tributary to the Mehtar of Chitral. The nature of this tributary relationship was inconsistent because the Katis and Koms would often raid Chitrali territory for livestock and head-hunting. In retaliation the Mehtars would invade the Bashgul Valley and enslave entire villages. During the reign of Mehtar Aman-ul-Mulk the relationship was formalized and the Kafirs would pay an annual tribute of slaves.

Numerous scholars have connected the names Katir/Kator/Kata and Kam/Kom with ancient Kambojas and identified the Kafirs, especially the Siah-Posh Kafirs, as having descended from ancient. The Kata Tribe also lives in Chitral and very much mixed with Chitralies. There is a popular stone by the name of Kata Boht situated in Ozhore (Juwara) Valley Chitral. The Kata Tribe also lives in Ozhore and also other part of Chitral. The other fact is the tribe lives in Gram; gram is a Nuristani word (of Indo-Aryan origin) meaning "village" (as a "community"). In ancient times, people were considered rich according to their ownership of animals or land. As the Kata tribe in Chitral was considered to be relatively rich, over time, Chitrali speakers began to use kata to mean "rich" or "big".[1]

History

[edit]

Kafiristan is a mountainous region of the Hindu Kush that was isolated and politically independent until the conquest by Afghan conquest of 1896. The region became a refuge of an old group of Indo-European people probably mixed with an older substratum, as well as a refuge of a distinct Kafiri group of Indo-Iranian languages, forming part of the wider Dardic languages. The inhabitants were known as "kafirs" due to their enduring polytheism (closely related to Vedic religion) while other regions around them became Muslim. However, the influence from district names in Kafiristan of Katwar or Kator and the ethnic name Kati has also been suggested. The Kafirs were divided into Siyah-Posh, comprising five sub-tribes who spoke Katɘ language while the others were called Safed-Posh comprising Paruni, Waigeli, Wamai and Ashkun.[2]

The Nuristani/Kafir people practiced a form of ancient Hinduism, infused with accretions developed locally.[3] Kafirs represent non-Rigvedic Aryans, identical with the Dasas. That their ancestors were pre-Rigvedic Aryans can be inferred from linguistic, ethnological and theological evidence. The Kafiri/Nuristani languages contain certain phonetic features not found in Indo-Iranian languages. Their chief deity is Imra i.e. Yamaraja which was brought there by the Dasas who worshipped Asuras especially Yama and Varuna. Their primary goddess was Disani. They also worshipped Indra or Inder.[4]

Invasion of Timur (1398)

[edit]

On his way to India, Timur attacked the Siyah-Posh in 1398 A.D. after receiving complaints from the trading city of Andarab by raids from Kafirs. He penetrated it from Khawak pass and restored an old fortress there.[5] Timur personally proceeded against the Kator/Katwar and sent a detachment of 10,000 soldiers against Siyah-Poshas under Burhan Aglan and had the fort of Kator/Katwar deserted by Kafirs destroyed while the houses of the city were burnt.[6]

The Kafirs took refuge on top of a hill and many were killed in the ensuing clash. Some held out for three days but agreed to convert after Timur offered them the choice between death and Islam. They however soon apostatised and ambushed Muslim soldiers in the night. They were however repelled and a number of the Kafirs were killed, with 150 taken prisoner and later executed. Timur ordered his men "to kill all the men, to make prisoners of women and children, and to plunder and lay waste all their property." His soldiers carried out the order and he directed them to build a tower of skulls of the dead Kafirs. Timur had his expedition engraved on a neighboring hill in the month of Ramazan. His detachment sent against Siyah-Posh however met with disaster with Aglan routed and fleeing. A small detachment of 400 men under Muhammad Azad was sent and defeated the Kafirs, retrieving the horses and armour Aglan lost. Timur captured a few places later, though nothing more is stated, presumably he left the Siyah-Posh alone. He then proceeded to exterminate the rebellious Afghan tribes and crossed the Sindhu river in September 1398.[6]

Conversion to Islam (late 19th century)

[edit]

The territory between Afghanistan and British India was demarcated between 1894 and 1896. Part of the frontier lying between Nawa Kotal in outskirts of Mohmand country and Bashgal Valley on outskirts of Kafiristan were demarcated by 1895 with an agreement reached on 9 April 1895.[7] Emir Abdur Rahman Khan invaded Kafiristan in the winter of 1895-1896 and captured it in 40 days according to his autobiography. Columns invaded it from the west through Panjshir to Kullum, the strongest fort of the region. The columns from the north came through Badakhshan and from the east through Asmar. A small column also came from south-west through Laghman. A small number of Kati refugee's escaped across the border into Kalash territory which was on the British side . Villages were founded in a number of valley's with Brumbutal in the Bumboret valley and Kunisht in a neighbouring Kalash valley, however these to would become Islamic within a generation .[8] The Kafirs were converted to Islam and resettled in Laghman while the region was settled by veteran soldiers and other Afghans. Kafiristan was renamed as Nooristan.[9]

The former Kafiristan's people were renamed Nuristani (The Enlightened Ones) from the proper noun Nuristan (Land of Enlightenment). Presently they are known by Nuristani Kata or simply Kata.[citation needed]

Georg Morgenstierne visited the Bumboret Valley in 1929 during his field work on Nuristani (Kafir) languages. He encountered the two last remaining unconverted "Kafir" priests of the region, called Bagashai and Kareik. Bagashai deceased after 1935.[10]

Around 1890, the Katir Kafir division was further sub-divided as under:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ H.H. Wilson, M. Elphinstone, Bombay Gazetteer, D. Wilber, M. C. Gillet, W. K. Fraser Tytler, R. L. Mitra, H. C. Raychaudhury, J.R.A.S. 1843, J.A.S.B. 1874 etc.
  2. ^ C. E. Bosworth; E. Van Donzel; Bernard Lewis; Charles Pellat (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume IV. Brill Publishers. p. 409.
  3. ^ Richard F. Strand (31 December 2005). "Richard Strand's Nuristân Site: Peoples and Languages of Nuristan". nuristan.info.
  4. ^ Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. 2003. pp. 109–110.
  5. ^ Vasily Bartold (14 July 2014). An Historical Geography of Iran. Princeton University Press. p. 85. ISBN 9781400853229.
  6. ^ a b R.C. Majumdar (1951). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Delhi Sultanate. Allen & Unwin. p. 113.
  7. ^ Vasily Bartold (17 October 2013). An Historical Geography of Iran. Princeton University Press. p. 85. ISBN 9781107662094.
  8. ^ A former Kafir tells his tragic story-notes on the Kati Kafirs of northern Bashgul- Afghanistan - Max klimburg - East & West vol 58 - no 1/4 December2008-pp 391-402- published by Istituto Italiano Per I'Africa e l'Oriente (lSlAO)
  9. ^ Percy Sykes (10 July 2014). A History of Afghanistan: Volumes 1 and 2, Volume 1. Routledge. p. 195. ISBN 9781317845874.
  10. ^ Enhet i mangfold? 100 år med religionshistorie i Norge 1898-1998. Wlodek Witek, With Camera to India, Iran and Afghanistan: Access to Multimedia Sources of the Explorer, Professor Dr. Morgenstierne Archived 2012-03-23 at the Wayback Machine (1892-1975), National Library of Norway, Oslo.
  • The Kafirs of Hindukush, 1896, George Scott Robertson
  • An Account of the Kingdom of Caubol, London, M Elphinstone
  • Tribes of Hindukush, Craz (Austria), 1971, J Biddulph
  • "The Kâta". Retrieved July 4, 2006, from Richard F. Strand: Nuristan, Hidden Land of the Hindu-Kush.

·کشمکش های تاریخی و سرنوشت قبیله الکته ۱۴۰۰

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