Oral History of Sadozai Tribe in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

In this thesis researcher elaborate on the oral history of Sadozai tribe now settled centuries ago in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In oral history, the reason for existing is frequently to "offer voice" marginalized or overlooked people or gatherings, to tune in to their accounts and give them the likelihood to talk from their own viewpoints. The researcher has investigated four objectives set for this research project. These four objectives are; exploration of oral history, lineage, sociopolitical, economic or livelihood, assimilation to the dominant culture of Kashmir, language shifting to Pahari or Kashmiri language, and role of idol personalities like Ghazi-e-Millat Sardar Ibrahim Khan and so on in the liberation movement of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from Dogra Raj in Kashmir during partition of India. Fieldwork was conducted in village Tahlian and data were collected from the local people of different age group through personal interviews and interviews were aimed to investigate the past history of the people which has been ignored by historians. It is one of the dominant castes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The tribe of district Sudhnuti in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is one of the major tribe from Afghanistan. Sadozai tribe is basically Pakhtoon tribe and they migrated from Afghanistan. Their culture is assimilated with Kashmiri culture and their language is Kashmiri/Pahari not Pashtu but their physical and facial appearance still looks like Pakhtoons. They called themselves Kashmiri and Pakhtoon. Through anthropological tools, techniques and methods this research explored the oral history of tribe’s current cultural practices and transmission of culture, history to their young generation and their lineage system, how the tribe assimilated into the mainstream culture of the Kashmir and their Political, social and economic system is discussed in detail where they still rely on their cultural customary law “Jirga” (tribal council) to resolve issues and sometimes they organize Sadozai Loya Jirga (grand council) to discuss and connect the disperse Sadozais in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.