Turkhel
Encyclopedia
The Turkhel is a Awan
a tribe found in the Mianwali District
of Punjab
, Pakistan
.
s (weavers), who took to agriculture. The word Khel
in Pashto
means tribe
and Tur means Black
, alluding to their descent from the Julahas.
Like other tribes of the district, they are trilingual, speaking Pashto
, Punjabi
and Urdu. According to 1901 census during British Raj
, they numbered about 250.
and Marri Indus, in the Isakhel Tehsil
of Mianwali District
.
Many have now migrated to Karachi
, and are involved in transportation business in the city.
Awan
Awan and Awans may refer to:*the Awan dynasty, an Elamite dynasty of Iran*Awan , a South Asian tribe*Awan , Azad Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir dynasty*Awan *Awan languages, spoken in South America...
a tribe found in the Mianwali District
Mianwali District
Mianwali is a district in the northwest of Punjab province, Pakistan. It borders eight districts: Attock District in the north, Chakwal District in the northeast, Khushab District in the east, and Bhakkar District in the south, while Lakki Marwat lies to the west, Kohat and Karak districts to the...
of Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
History and origin
According to traditions, the Turkhel were originally JulahaMalik (Julaha)
The Malik or Malik Julaha are ethnic community found in the Punjab province of Pakistan. They are one of many communities found in South Asia associated with weaving.- History and origin :...
s (weavers), who took to agriculture. The word Khel
Khel (Clan)
Khel are clans of Pashtun tribes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The title of the tribe ends in Zai and its clan name end in Khel...
in Pashto
Pashto language
Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...
means tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
and Tur means Black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
, alluding to their descent from the Julahas.
Like other tribes of the district, they are trilingual, speaking Pashto
Pashto language
Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...
, Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
and Urdu. According to 1901 census during British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, they numbered about 250.
Distribution
They are mainly found in the towns of KalabaghKalabagh
Kalabagh a town and union council of Mianwali District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located on the western bank of Indus River. It is the site of the proposed Kalabagh Dam. It is also famous for its red hills of the salt range and scenic view of the Indus River traversing through the...
and Marri Indus, in the Isakhel Tehsil
Isakhel Tehsil
Isakhel Tehsil is an administrative subdivision of Mianwali District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The city of Isakhel is the headquarters of the tehsil which is administratively subdivided into 14 Union Councils. It is located between 32° 30′ and 33° 14′ N...
of Mianwali District
Mianwali District
Mianwali is a district in the northwest of Punjab province, Pakistan. It borders eight districts: Attock District in the north, Chakwal District in the northeast, Khushab District in the east, and Bhakkar District in the south, while Lakki Marwat lies to the west, Kohat and Karak districts to the...
.
Many have now migrated to Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, and are involved in transportation business in the city.