Sultan Pakhal Gibari I (سلطان پکھل گبری اول) was a legendary conqueror, warlord, chief of Swati tribe and forefather of Deshrai family, who founded the Sultanate of Swat with capital as Mangalwar. [1] [2] [3] It was strongest of the several states in the region, encompassing whole of Malakand, Buner, Swat and Dir valleys, as well as divisions of Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan and Hazara during 12th and 16th centuries. [4] [3]
In 1200s, Sultan Pakhal drove out the Khakha and Bamba tribes from Upper Hazara and the tract got its name Pakhli from him. [5]
Shahmir, founder of Sultanate of Kashmir was also the descendent of Sultan Pakhal. [6] [7] [8] [9]
Sultan Pakhal Gibari سلطان پکھل گبری | |||||
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Titles - القابات
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1st King of the Sultanate of Swat | |||||
Reign | 1190-1223 | ||||
Coronation | 1190 | ||||
Predecessor | Office established | ||||
Successor | Sultan Bahram Gibari | ||||
Born | Sultanate of Balkh | ||||
Died | Sultanate of Swat | ||||
Issue |
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House | Gibarid | ||||
Father | Sultan Kehjaman Gibari (Sultan Of Balkh) | ||||
Religion | Islam |
Sultan Bahram and Sultan Pakhal Gibari were the scions of an earlier local princely dynasty belonging to the Gibari tribe, ruling the famous Pech Valley area in modern day's Afghanistan. The two brothers were sons of Sultan Kehjaman, son of Sultan Hindu of Pech. Their family tradition states descent from Queen Atossa, a daughter of “Sikandar-e-Zulqarnain” or Cyrus The Great. [10] [11] The Gibari tribe is now considered as a branch of later-formed Swati tribe
At first Sultan Bahram had established his capital in the village Papin located at the foot of the Safed Koh Spin Ghar mountain range in Ningarhar, Afghanistan, while his brother Sultan Pakhal conquered the lands to the east, as far as River Jhelum and made his base in Manglaur in Swat Valley. However Sultan Bahram died prematurely, and his sons fell out amongst themselves and started killing one another. Their uncle Sultan Pakhal had to go to Papin where he was forced to wage war on them to restore order. He thereafter emerged as sole ruler, and Manglaur became the permanent capital of the kingdom. [12]
Sultan Pakhal himself lived in the fort of Mangalore. This fort, which was the base of the Sultanate of Swat, was very populated during the era of the Sultanate of Swat. Inside and outside there were colorful houses and strange havelis, tall palaces and primitive rivers flowing inside the fort. The bazaar was colorful and the shops were decorated. Outside the fort on the west side was the royal mausoleum which is still preserved. [13]
This State was a major vassal state of the Ghori Empire and the succeeding Delhi Sultanate: originally extending from Kabul and the Hindu Kush on one side, to the Karakorams and River Jhelum and Baramula at the other end. [14]
Pakhal's brother, Sultan Behram Gibari succeeded the throne, followed by Pakhal's grandson Sultan Jahangir Gibari and the Sultanate remained in his descendents till 1519. Deshra was the crown Prince but died in a war against Raja Gira of Udigram. Deshra had four sons Sultan Jahangir, Sultan Arghush, Prince Malak Shah, Prince Iznal Shah and Prince Mandra Shah. Sultan Awes Jahangiri was the last ruler, during whose reign the Sultanate was ultimately conquered in a series of battles by Yousafzai Pashtuns under Malak Ahmad Khan Baba between 1510 and 1519. [15]
Deshrai section originates from Sultan Pakhal and consists of six families viz; Jehangiris, Arghushals, Malkals, Mandravis and Iznalis. They are now part of the Swati tribe and inhabits the Upper Pakhli region in Hazara. [16]
Sultan Behram's descendents are better known as Sarkhelis and composed of six families viz Lughmani, Laharri, Dhodiari, Khawajakheli, Bijori and Teetwal. They also inhabits the Upper Pakhli region mainly Baffa Pakhal and Balakot.
In Babar's time this tract(Pakhli) was held Khakha and Bamba tribes who chiefs were the ancient rulers of this country and had been driven out by Gibari Sultans of Swat and Bajaur and the tract derives its name Pakhli, from one of the these conquerers
Gibari Deshrais : Jehangiris, Arghushal Malkals, Iznali Mandravis