hindustani fanatics, india's pashtuns, and deobandism – connections

Hindustani Fanatics, India’s Pashtuns, and Deobandism – Connectionsdetermined attack on the village of Ghizikot, our advanced post on the left bank of the Indus, held by a company of the 4 th Sikh Infantry. Under thecover of darkness they collected in front of the village among rocks, and charged sword in hand. They passed by an advanced picquet undeterred byits fire, and the picquet retired in good order by direction of Subadar Dheru, who commanded the main body of the company holding the village. Thedefenders, being outnumbered, were forced back through the village, disputing every wall and street until the last house, the masjid, was reached.Here a stand was made until reinforcements arrived from Kunhar, when the village was cleared and the enemy driven off. The company of the 4 thSikhs behaved with the greatest gallantry. Subadar Dheru and three non-commissioned officers were rewarded with the Order of Merit. JemadarDarshanu fought bravely until his sword broke and he was cut down. The Hindustanis left 22 of their number on the ground and their loss amountedto at least double that number. The casualties among the defenders were 4 killed and 21 wounded.The failure of this attack greatly disheartened the Maulvi’s followers, and they took no further part during the expedition in actively opposingour troops.Subsequent to 1891 the Hindustanis deserted their quarters in Chagarzai country, possibly under pressure from that clan, who looked uponthem as inconvenient neighbors, and settled among the Amazai on the slopes of Mahaban. This was in contravention of the agreement made withthe Amazai in 1864, but, as circumstances had considerably changed since then, it was not considered necessary to take any notice of this movement.At the beginning of last year, when endeavours were being made to get up a combination to attack Chilas, an invitation was sent to theHindustanis to join, but this did not meet with any response.The latest information about the fanatics is that they are reported to be dissatisfied with their treatment in the Amazai country, and are tryingto secure some other place in Swat or elsewhere for the location of their colony.From the above report it will be seen that during the past half century the Hindustanis have come into collision with us on no less than sixoccasions; each time they have suffered severely and been obliged to shift their residence, but, as was stated at the beginning of the report, they willremain a factor for mischief, although in a less degree than formerly, in any complications which may arise with the independent tribes on this partof the Punjab frontier.Tribal Analysis Center, 6610-M Mooretown Road, Box 159. Williamsburg, VA, 23188