Awan as a Pashtun clan
I have analyze the different theories unearthing some new facts which got ignored by the historians in the past. Theory of Hashmi origin . 1. conspiracy of Awan Hashmiyat origin , is almost unfairly used by historians . Shah is common ending name of even Turks , Pashtun’s and Awan’s, like Mehboob Shah , Sher Shah , Shah Wali or Shah Baig Etc but ending name Shah does not make them Hashmi. . Pashtun's , Awan.s and people of Xinjiang China still keep pre Islamic Names like Alam Khan, Faqir Khan , Sher Khan, Fateh Khan gul Baz and Sher Baz etc. In case of Hashmi origin , the successor’s of Qutab Shah must be keeping Islamic names or atleast Shah as last name but it is not the fact. Pre Islamic names means that they accepted the religion but maintained their identity as well. Mathematical analysis . if we accept the claim and assume that Qutab Shah along with his six sons reached Ghour around year 1000CE and they had maximum growth average rate of 4 children each family which I personally believe it is too less as compare to true growth. The number of his successors must touch 402 Million which is impossible. If he arrived with, Ghouri , Ghaznavi or Shah Khowazam in year 1150- 1221 , his successors total population should reach 12.5 Millions to 25 Millions which is still more than real. This prove that his estimated arrival of the area is some time later than the false implanted theories or they are part of some other ethnic group probably Pashtun’s or Baluch’s which seems more logical. Awan with same origin as Pashtuns 1. In addition to similarity of common names with Pashtun.s Awan’s upto 18th century used to family sub dividing Khel system (FAQIR KHEL , Wali khel etc) which is common with Pashtun’s. Most of the Awan’s living at Attock and Chakwal still know their khel,s. This is sound evidence of their traces which overlooked by the Historians . Second evidence is culture , which is quite similar with Pashtuns like folk dances Ghummer, ludi and , Khaid , Barballa . wedding customs like Gharroli breaking choorrni, waving groom on a khat , arranging a lovely child to sit with bride (three are Jew customs common in both groups) and other social activities Jirga, bull race, tent pegging , Kabadi , kaudi are equally famous in pashtun tribes as well. Tribal leaders in Pashtuns are called “Malak” . Malik mean King in Hebrew . Some of the Malik Consider themselves Afghan sub tribe (kakay zai Malaks). 2. Awan /Pashtuns still follow Jewish/Israelite wedding and funeral customs in addition to Islamic customs . like breaking "chorrni" ( a mud soccer which is placed on water pot) with right leg . (Jewish Nikah complete with this custom). lighting lantern for 40 days at a place where somebody have his last breaths, putting blood on doorsteps at some occasions. . 3. Awan speaks Punjabi but some of words they got derived from the former ancestral tongue which other punjabi tribes dont speak. for different timing Awan use the words Sargi , Paisee , deegar, shami and kuftaan . In Pashto sarg mean cock (Sargi ni Bangaan) where as other mas-pashen . mas-deegar , mas- sham , mas- kheten are bit similar as Awans. I was surprise to hear Muslims of Chinese origin (Ganso province China mainland) saying the same words as , paishen , jeegar, shamo, kuften . 4. Another evidence which never noticed by historians the real place of migration to today/s Pakistan. As Sultan Mohammad Ghouri moved from Ghour so historian linked all tribes joining his forces with ghouri which is impossible . I think the place of Awan's Migration was district Indkai (Faryab Province ) as Pastun till today call Awan people as Indki (plural) or indkai(singular) whereas for other Punjabi's the use the word obo-wal. (people with water) , This word indki mostly got mis-spelled by historian as Hindki which make them confused with Indians. As Pashtun migrated along with them .So mean something to be correct for their place of migration. 5. It seems that Hindo’s were settled in the areas of chakwal, Jhelum, Attock, Sargodha, Khushab and Mianwali before Awan’s arrival in those area. Name of town’s at Tehsil Jand attock ,which are adjuscent to each other in match . Injra village . Hinjra clan Chhab village . Chhaba clan Jhamat village. Jamot clan Uchhri village. Uchhra clan Jand town - Jandyal clan Langar village - Langerryal clan Basal village - Bosal Clan Kahal village. Kahaloon Clan. These are town’s / Railway stations in between Attock and Daud Khel. This is enough evidence to prove that these Clans were living at Tehsil Jand before arrival of Awan's to this area
Awan, and Baluch who remained on front line area adjacent to Hindo had marriages with Hindo girls after converting them to Islam and the caused the change in their native language how ever they were able to keep some words of their formal language. Later Awan had some cross Marriages with Niazi and Khattak tribes and surprisingly they do lost their former language . I assume that the reason of losing language was Isolation from main stream tribal society as till now in tribal society family marriages are common. 6. Before the arrival of halako khan to area Niazi's , Khakwani and Sadozai Pashtun Malaks were ruling Multan. As Altamash tried to crush them to secure slave rule. salt range was conquered during Shah Jehan rule with collabration of Khattak and Niazi tribes. thus Awan;s moved to east leaving Shakar Dara Kohat for Saghri Khattak , western part of salt range to Barak Khattak and shared some areas with Niazi’s . This event got recorded in history by khushak Khan Khattak when he got summoned the King to imperial court and King there enquired him regarding the involvement of Khattak’s in conquest of salt range ,Khushl Khattak replied that those people belong to other clans of Khattak (Saghri and Barak) not under his control (Akora).