Tanoli - Descent Legend

Descent Legend

As is also the case for all other ethnic groups of the region, tracing their lineage to an apical ancestor is crucial to the Tanolis' sense of identity.

The Tanoli consider themselves descendants of one Amir Khan, a Barlas Mughal who, according to legend, arrived in the Tanawal Valley with his sons around 1500, having crossed the Indus River to get there. It seems more probable that they came somewhat earlier, during the 14th century at the time when various Turkic invaders were attacking and conquering 'Hindustan' (India).

This claim of descent of Tanolis is also mentioned in The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China, and Australia (1841):

"There is one chief who, though not a Eusofzye, yet from his position in the midst of, and intimate connection with, the Eusofzyes, and his singular history and character, must not be omitted in a description of the Eusofzye country. Paieendah Khan, of Tanawul, is a Mogul of the Birlas tribe, the same from which the Ameer Timoor was descended. All record of the first settlement in Tanawul of his family is lost, and it has long ago broken off all connection with the other branches of the Birlas, which are still to be found in Turkestan."

The Imperial Gazetteer of India confirms this line of descent, stating that Tanawul's "real rulers...were the Tanawalis, a tribe of Mughal descent divided into two septs, the Pul-al and Hando-al or Hind-wal."

The Sikh records of the region also confirm this line of descent of the Tanolis:

"The family of Paeendah Khan is a branch of the Birlas, a Mogul House, well known in history. All record of its first settlement in Tanawul is lost. It may perhaps have been left there by the Emperor Baber. Among the list of whose nobles, the name Birlas is found."

This claim of descent has also been mentioned by J. M. Wikeley, who writes, "The Tanaolis claim descent from Amir Khan, a Barlas Moghal (in fact not a Mughal/Mongol but a Turk), whose two sons Hind Khan and Pal Khan crossed the Indus about the end of the 17th century, from the country round Mahaban, and settled in the Mountainous area now held by them and named after the tribe — Tanawal.