Tanoli

History and Identity

Tanolis claim they migrated from a place named "Tanubal River" in Afghanistan.Some Tanoli tribes are still living in Gardaiz and Ghazni(The famous cities of Afghanistan).Tanolis came to swat from Afghanistan after the invasions of Sultan Sabuktagin and form a new state.In those times the head of the Swat state was ANWAR KHAN TANOLI.
  Yousafzai tribe came to Swat in about 1450A.D and started fighting with former Pushtun tribes of Afridi,Tanoli,Swati and Dilazak  .As a result of several bloody battles between Tanolis and Yousafzais,the Tanoli sultan SULTAN AMEER KHAN was martyred while fighting with Yousafzais at the place named Topi near Swabi and Tanolis were pushed to the eastern bank of river Indus.
   Tanolis migrated to the TANAWAL in 1472.A.D.and defeated Rajputs and Rajas.After gaining hold in the area Tanoli jirga appointed ZABARDAST KHAN as the head of the state of TANAWAL.
   ZABARDAST KHAN TANOLI gained the title of SUBA KHAN from AHMED SHAH ABDALI for his bravery in the historical battle against MARAHATAS at Paniput.
   Tanolis have a vast historical background of several wars against sikhs,yousafzais,durranis,swatis and other many tribes.
   Tanolis are basically AFGHANS and they speak Hindko as well as Pushto.
   Books written on Tanoli tribe are available in markets,few were as follows:
1: AL-AFGHAN TANOLI written by Ghulam Nabi.
2:HISTORY OF TANOLIAN written by Syed Murad Ali Shah.
3:HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TANOLIS written by M.Ismail afi.

Famous personalities

The Nawab of Amb Painda Khan was the most notable personality of the 19th century. They have tremendous history of bravery especially against Sikhs when Hari Singh Nalwa has been appointed as Governor of Hazara by Ranjeet Singh.

Majority of them reside in the former state of Amb in Hazara division of NWFP of Pakistan. Their main langauge is Hindko, but those living in Pashtun dominated areas can also speak Pashto.