Arghushal Swati

Arghushal Swati also spelled Arghoshal or Argoshal (Urdu: ارغوشال) is a sub clan of the Deshrai clan of the Gabari section of the Swati Pashtun tribe. The name Arghushal is derived from the Persian term Arghush Al (أرغش أل) meaning descendants of Sultan Arghush Shah.

According to traditional genealogies, Sultan Arghush Shah was the grandson of Sultan Pakhal and the younger brother of Sultan Jahangir Shah. Sultan Jahangir Shah is regarded as the ancestor of the Jahangiri branch within the same Deshrai clan and is described in local traditions as a ruler associated with the Swati Sultanate between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Members of the Arghushal clan are primarily found in the districts of Mansehra and Battagram in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The clan is historically associated with landholding families and local leadership in several areas including Mansehra city, Thakot, Paimal Sharif, Chanjal, Shamrad, Battagram Khas, Chattar Plain, Sharkolai, Ahal Battal, Kamal Ban, Jared, Shinai Bala, Garhi Habibullah, Dhodial and Battagram.

The Khans of Thakot belong to the Arghushal clan and have historically been regarded as influential tribal leaders in the Battagram region.

The majority of Arghushal traditionally speak Pashto. However, due to historical settlement in the Hazara region, a minority of the clan has linguistically shifted to Hindko, particularly in urban and mixed language areas.

Union Council Dhodial is traditionally divided into two village councils or mozas. One is Village Council Malkal named after the Malkal Swatis and the other is Village Council Arghushal named after the Arghushal Swatis. The Malkal are also a sub clan of the Deshrai lineage and are described in local genealogies as descendants of Sultan Malak, another brother within the same ruling family tradition.

According to the Hazara settlement records of 1872, members of the Arghushal clan were among the principal landlords of Garhi Habibullah. They held one of the five major estates locally known as taraf or hundi which was associated with Hasan Ali Khan Arghushal.

Traditional genealogical accounts state that Sultan Arghush Shah had two sons named Jahan Shah and Toghan Shah. The descendants of Toghan Shah are known as Toghanal while the descendants of Jahan Shah are known as Janshal. The Janshal branch is further divided into five khels namely Jabar Khel, Aja Khel, Yara Khel, Mula Khel and Malak Khel. These lineages are primarily located in Dhodial which is regarded as a central settlement of the Arghushal clan.

Notable people

1. Dr Abdul Jameel Khan Arghushal (A. J. Khan) was a former Federal Minister of Pakistan and recipient of the Sitara e Imtiaz. He was the owner of Shahina Jameel Hospital and Frontier Medical College Abbottabad and served as the founding principal of Ayub Medical College.
2. Khan Haji Alam Zeb Khan Arghushal served as a Member of the National Assembly and Federal Minister and was the twelfth Khan or chief of Thakot.
3. Hanif Gohar Khan Arghushal is a businessman who serves as chairman of the Gohar Group of Companies and is associated with Air Karachi Airlines.
4. Khan Baradar Khan Arghushal was the tenth Khan of Thakot and is known in regional accounts for resisting the entry of the forces of the Wali of Swat into the Hazara region.
5. Haji Awal Khan Arghushal was a prominent figure in Hazara often referred to as Raees e Hazara and was known as a major forest contractor.
6. Khan Bakht Nawaz Khan Arghushal served as a Provincial Minister and is the thirteenth and current Khan of Thakot.
7. Ejaz Ahmed Khan Arghushal has served as Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court.
8. Zeenat Khan Arghushal served as Chief Justice of the Gilgit Baltistan judiciary.
9. Khan Muhammad Ajab Khan Arghushal was the first chairman or nazim of Mansehra city serving from 1948 to 1969 and was one of the largest landowners of Mansehra city.
10. Khan Zulfiqar Khan Arghushal served as the second elected chairman or nazim of Mansehra city from 1969 to 1974.
11. Dr Asad Jamil Khan Arghushal is a film producer known for the film Maula Jutt.
12. Mufti Nasir Mehmood Khan Arghushal is a Pakistani politician.
13. Khan Taimur Khan Arghushal (Shani Khan) serves as chairman of the Dispute Resolution Council of Mansehra Tehsil.
14. Zar Muhammad Khan Arghushal serves as chairman of Sharkolai in Chattar Plain.
15. Niaz Muhammad Khan Arghushal is a former chairman of Thakot.
16. Noor ur Rehman Khan Arghushal served as chairman of Garhi Habibullah during the 1980s.
17. Danish Khan Arghushal served as a general councillor of Garhi Habibullah.
18. Abrar Ahmed Khan Arghushal serves as chairman of Kamal Ban in the Kaghan Valley.
19. Ibrar Ahmed Khan Arghushal serves as Divisional Forest Officer of the Kaghan Forest Division.
20. Zakir Hussain Khan Arghushal serves as chairman of Dhodial.
21. Abdul Wahab Khan Arghushal serves as chairman of Battagram Khas.

File:Hassan Ali Khan family.png

References

This article "Arghushal Swati" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Arghushal Swati. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

📰 Article(s) of the same category(ies)

• Dasti (tribe)
• Bhutta (caste)
• Gaanga
• Jahangiri Swati
• Douldai people
• Nayani
• Okhai

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