Hazara Nation

Year 1887-1890

News. D.No. 594. No. 6167, dated Quetta, the 22nd December 1888.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Balochistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No. 69,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 14th December 1888.

(War against Main Nishin Hazara)

4. The Mian Nishin Hazaras, who inhabit the Wahala district, have recently shown a tendency to refuse obedience to the will of their local Governor. The Governor of Kandahar wrote to the Governor of this district and pointed out to him that, owing to its being now winter, it was impossible to send out a force to coerce the rebellious tribe. He exhorted him to do all he could to temporise and to avoid forcing open hostilities until the arrival of the spring, when a force should be despatched adequate to overcome any opposition which the tribe might be expected to offer.

News.D.No. 497. No. 5182, dated Quetta, the 24th October 1888.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.59,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 8th October 1888. (Revenue: Hazara Regiment in Afghan Army)

The Governor received orders from His Highness the Amir to despatch ten lakhs of rupees to Kabul under escort of the Hazara regiment. There being seven lakhs of rupees immediately available in the treasury, the Governor made instant arrangements for sending off this sum, and obtained close upon another lakh of rupees by bringing considerable pressure to bear on the tax-payers through the agency of the tax-collectors.

According to the Governor's orders one month's pay was to be issued to the Hazara regiment before its departure. The regiment being dissatisfied by way of making known their resentment, forthwith released all the prisoners undergoing punishment for murder and other criminal offences. The Governor eventually issued to them two months' pay.

This occurrence caused great uneasiness to be felt in Kandahar generally. There was an immediate rush on the grain market, and the price of wheat rose 10 per cent.

Today, the 8th October, when the said regiment was on the point of leaving, a messenger arrived from His Highness bringing news of His Highness's victories at Tashkurghan and Balkh.



News.D.No. 498. R.No. 16613 F. No.5203, dated Quetta, the 24th October 1888.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No,60.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 12th October 1888.

2. As no orders were received from His Highness the Amir countermanding his recent directions that the Hazara regiment should march to Kabul. The regiment left for Kabul today taking with them a consignment of treasure of seven lakhs and fifty thousand Kandahari rupees. The officers of this regiment are considerably alarmed at the discontent which the rank and file displayed on being granted no more than two months' pay on departure, and which resulted in their setting free the prisoners from the State prison. They fear that His Highness will hold them responsible for the evident want of discipline and order which prevails in the regiment.



No.4182, dated Quetta, the 12th September 1888.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandemen, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.54.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 7th September 1888.

(Balkhab Revolts)

3. The news of Muhammad Ishak Khan's revolt, brought by travellers arriving from Balkab, has disseminated disturbance generally in the Giru Hazara district, which is in close proximity to the portion of country inhabited by the independent Hazaras. Internal dissension have arisen in these districts. The official who was sent to bring in the revenue of these districts was, on account of the contentions then ripe, unable to proceed further than Hazara Chura in the Tarin district.



News.D.No.392. R.No.12688 F. No.3936, dated Quetta, the 13th August 1888.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To- H.M.Durand, Esq.,C.S.I.,Secy. to the Govt. of India, Foreign Dept.
News-letter.No,49.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 3rd August 1888.

(Looting of Hazaras by Afghans)

2. Abdul Aziz Khan, Hakim of Kadani, reported to the Governor that a party of Hazara labourers, who were returning to Kandahar with their savings, were attacked at Surapan by robbers and robbed of all their money. Several of them were killed and wounded; the remainder found their way back to Chaman.

According to the Governor these Hazaras reported that Abdul Hamid Khan's followers were concerned in this robbery. But as now-a-days robberies of the kind are of very frequent occurrence in the Kati district, and travellers are always making complaints about this to the Governor, who further has recently had occasion to address Abdul Aziz Khan on the subject, it is more than probable that Abdul Aziz Khan has attributed this robbery to Abdul Hamid Khan in order to excuse himself. This supposition is further strengthened by the fact that recently five Hazaras complained to the Governor. They represented that they were on their way from Chaman to Kandahar with five Kandahari labourers. On arriving at Muhammad Amin they were joined by three other Afghans, who stripped them of their clothes, and carried off Rs.700 they had with them. After an inquiry into the matter, it was satisfactorily proved that the Kandahari labourers had looted the Hazaras. The Governor accordingly ordered the return of the loot to the Hazaras, and imprisoned the offenders.



News-letter.D.No. 286. R.No.9215 F. No.2771, dated Quetta, the 17th June 1889.
From- General Sir H.N.D. Prendergast, K.C.B.,V.C.,R.E., Officiating governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-Sir H.M.Durand, D.C.I.E., C.S.I., Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.23.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 7th June 1889.

(Route through Hazarajat)

The Governor has received orders from His Highness the Amir to despatch eight intelligent men to survey the routes between Kandahar and Turkistan through Hazarajat. Two men are to be told off for each route, who on arrival at Turkistan are to present themselves to the Amir furnished with all particulars about their respective routes, as to whether they are fit for the transport of troops and baggage, and as to the character of different tribes inhabiting the surrounding country. These orders have been carried out, and eight men have started for Turkistan via Tarin, Azargan and SiahBand. The Kandahar officials draw various conclusions from this order. Some say that these enquiries are being made to prepare for His Highness the Amir's visiting Kandahar whenever the necessity arises. Others believe that this survey is at the instance of some Government, while others attribute it to political ends, viz., to awe the Hazara people inhabiting the country between Kandahar and Turkistan, and prevent their showing any disloyalty in future.



News. D.No.316. R.No.9956 F. No.3122, dated Quetta, the 3rd July 1889.
From-General Sir Harry Prendergast, K.C.B.,V.C.R.E.,Offg. Governor-Gebrak's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No. 25,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 22nd June 1889.

(Complain against Afghan Hakim)

2. All the Hazara ryots of Gizoo and Tarin came in a body before the Governor and complained bitterly against their Hakims as well as the Gomashta of the Kotwali, asking redress for the oppression they had suffered. The Governor instituted an inquiry into the matter which resulted in the discovery that the Kotwali Gomashta and the Hakim of Hazarajat had extorted the sum of ten thousand rupees under the name of fines from the ryots, and had sent the money to the Kandahar Treasury. Contrary to his former custom, the Governor ordered the amount to be restored to the ryots. This was a special favour shown to the Hazara people.



News.D.No.60 F. R.No.2329 F.No.647, dated Quetta, the 12th February 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandemen, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.5,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 1st February 1890.

(Hazara loots Afghans)

Certain troopers of the bodyguard , having obtained leave from Turkistan, intended to go to Kandahar by the Hazarajat Road. On the way the Hazaras looted their belongings and stripped them. They have returned to Turkistan.

The people of Chura having banded together and have looted some villages in the district of Tirin. From reports spread by travellers from Ghazni, the Buniad Beg tribe of Hazaras who live in the district of Ghazni, have shown disobedience to the orders of the Governor of that place. Accordingly he has ordered the Popalzai regiment which had left Shanaki for Kabul to halt at Ghazni. Those who attend the Darbar at Kandahar believe that the result of such reports reaching the Amir will be the despatch of troops after the end of the cold weather to suppress the people of the Hazarajat.



News. D.No.134 F. R.No.5006 F. No.315C., dated Camp Akhtarzai, the 6/7th April 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No,12,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 29th March 1890.

(Buniad Beg Hazara Rise against Amir)

2. It is rumoured in Kandahar that the Buniad Beg Hazara tribes have risen in rebellion, and that troops have marched from Kabul to suppress their rebellion.



News.D.No.155 F.R.No.5620 F. No.407 C., dated camp Loralai, the 22nd April 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.14,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 12th April 1890.

(Hazara Sepoies* from British Army arrests in Kandahar)

Nazar Muhammad, a Hazara, who is a sepoy in the First Baluch Infantry Regiment, came to his home in Kandahar on leave. The officials of Kotwali arrested him, and the Kotwal ordered him to be sent away back to Chaman. I informed Sardar Muhammad Hashim Khan that the said ,Nazar Muhammad, was a resident of Kandahar, that he had come after an interval of some years on leave to visit his home, and that the Kotwal was going to turn him out. Sardar Muhammad Hashim Khan asked the Kotwal to let him know the circumstances under which he had ordered him to be expelled. The Kotwal said that he was ordered by the Governor to do so. Sardar Muhammad Hashim Khan told him that he would write the Governor on the subject, and that pending receipt of a reply from him, Nazar Muhammad should not be interfered with. Nazar Muhammad has accordingly, for the present, and pending receipt of a reply from the Governor, been released on security. Such actions on the part of the Kotwali officials at Kandahar towards servants of the (British) Government are taken by the common people as supporting their ideas (as to His Highness the Amir's attitude)

*Sepoies = soldiers (changezi)



News.D.No.368 F.R.No.12619. F.No.4845, dated Quetta, the 15th September 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.35.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 7th September 1890.

(Travelling through Hazarajat)

The Governor states that he will have to go to the Hazarajat in a month or so, but he has not more particularly stated what his object is in going. People think that, if the Governor really intends to go there, he will go to the country of the Urza* Hazaras, who are in rebellion, in order to bring them into subjection. Their reason for this is a rumour that is current here to the effect that His Highness the Amir entertains the politic notion of opening up the routes between Kandahar and Turkistan via the Hazarajat

*Urza could be a misspelling and actually be Urzagan, or Uruzgan (Changezi)



News. D.No.401 F.R.No. 13885 F.No.1005 F.C., dated Camp Handak, the 27th October 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.38.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 28th September 1890.

(Interfering of Hazara Clans)

4. The Hazara clans of Shira are interfering with the Tirins and Hazaras of Chura. The Governor has written commanding them to desist (to stop) from such acts, but they take no notice of his orders to desist from their mutinous conduct. The Governor has abandoned the idea of going to the Hazarajat, as there are not sufficient troops in Kandahar to punish the refractory people. Mirza Haidar Kuli Khan, Sarishtadar of the western district, has been ordered to proceed to Tirin to try his influence on the Shira Hazaras and persuade them to be obedient.



News. D.No.427 F. R.No.14697 F.No.1083 F.C., dated camp Appozai, the 30th October 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.41.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan,19th October 1890.

(Summoned to Kabul)

3. The Taraki, Andari and Hazara Maliks have been summoned to Kabul; some have gone, but most have not as yet.



News.D.No.446 F. R.No. 15305 F. No.1047 F.C., dated Camp Kurram, the 14th November 1890.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.43.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan , 2nd November 1890.

(Internal Conflict of Hazaras)

2. There have also been disturbances among, and fights between, the Hazara tribes of MianNishin, and one of their best known Chiefs has been killed. Instructions have been issued to the ruler of Dahala and MianNishin not to take serious notice of these occurrences for the present, but to arrange matters diplomatically.



News.D.No.471 F. R.No.16028 F. No. 6398, dated Quetta, the 29th November 1890.
From-Colonel Sir R.G. Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No. 45,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 16th November 1890.

A short time ago Mirza Haider Kuli Khan, Sarishtadar of the Western District of Kandahar, was sent to arrange the disputes between the Tirin Hazaras. In obedience to orders received he is surveying the routes that lead by way of Hazarajat to Turkistan. He has got as far as Gisu and a little beyond it, and is busily engaged in his work.



News.D.No. 481 F. R.No.16510 F. No. 6512, dated Quetta, the 6th December 1890.
From-Colonel Sir R.G. Sandeman, K.C.S.I., governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No. 46.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 23rd November 1890.

(Deployment of military in Hazarajat)

The Governor has received a letter from Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan. He writes from Tamazan in the Hazarajat to say that, in accordance with the orders of the Amir, he has been looking about in the Hazarajat district for a site suitable for a cantonment, and has fixed upon Tamazan where a cantonment is being built. He says that Tamazan is near to Gisu which is in the Kandahar district, and that supplies and provisions can easily be sent there from Gisu, Chura and Tirin. He adds that arrangements have been made for the construction of roads up to Tamazan, and that all arrangements for the road from Tamazan to Gisu and thence to Kandahar will be carried out by the subordinates of the Governor (here). The Governor said that, although he had received no orders for the construction of the road as yet, he doubtless would receive them, and he has directed Mirza Haider Kuli Khan, the Sarishtadar of the Western District, who is now at Gisu, to proceed to Tamazan, and ascertain and report exactly what orders have been issued to Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan for the construction of the roads.



News.D.No. 495 F. R.No.17005 F. No.6564, dated Quetta, the 15th December 1890.
From-Colonel Sir R.G. Sandeman, K.C.S.I., Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.48.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan,
8th December 1890.

(Road Survey Through Hazarajat)

Four cavalry *sowars, who had been appointed by Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan to survey the road from the Hazarajat to Kandahar, arrived here today, bringing with them addressed to the Governor a letter from the Sardar, containing the orders of the Amir in connection with the construction of the road from the Hazarajat to Kandahar. The Governor has made arrangements for supplies and for tools for the road-making, and is sending them off. The Sowars say that Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan has with him at Giru (which place is in the Hazarajat, though it pays revenue to Kandahar) a force of two battalions of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and six guns, and they add that this force is intended to subjugate and coerce the Urzagan Hazaras. As the Amir when in Turkistan had appointed people from Kandahar and Zamindawar to examine and report on the roads between the portion of the Hazarajat, which is included in the Kandahar district and Turkistan, it is not known whether the presence of this force is intended to facilitate the carrying out of his orders, or for the special purpose of coercing the Urzagan Hazaras. On this subject the ideas of the people here differ considerably. Some think that the Amir's action is due to the advice of the British Government, but most believe that the idea was the Amir's own.

*Sowars = soldiers (Changezi)



News.D.No.8 F. R.No.218 F. No.6987, dated Quetta, the 31st December 1890.
From-Colonel Sir R.G. Sandeman, K.C.S.I., Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.50.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 21st December 1890.

(Assault on Uruzgan through forced Hazaras of Dai Zangi and Dai Khundi)

2. Travellers coming from Hazarajat state that Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan has collected 5,000 men from among the Hazaras of Dehzangi and Dehkandi, in addition to the regular troops under him, with the intention of attacking the Urzagan Hazaras. It is thought here that, owing to the difficulty of the Uruzgan road and the excessive cold and snow which prevail at this season, the expedition can scarcely be successful.



News.D.No 15. F. R.No. 472 F. No.85, dated Quetta, the 5th January 1891.
From-Colonel Sir R.G. Sandeman, K.C.S.I., Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter.No.51,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Kahn, 28th December 1890.

(Threat to Uruzgan Hazara)

2. It is stated by travellers coming from the Hazarajat that Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan had sent a letter to the Urzagan Hazaras, threatening them with severe punishment in case they continue disobedient, and at the same time promising them kind treatment on condition of obedience. The letter, however, had produced no impression; indeed, the Urzagan Hazaras at first imprisoned the messengers sent by the Sardar, with the intention of putting them to death. Some of their number, however, interceded, for the messengers as being Sayyads and Hazaras, and they were let go, and returned without accomplishing their object.