Group: | Khwajgan/Khwaja Khel (خواجګان (خواجه خېل (Pashto), |
Native Name: | Khwajgan خواجګان |
Genealogy: | Khwaja Khel |
Popplace: | Primarily Pakistan, Swat State and recently Swat District |
Langs: | The Yusufzai dialect of Pashto (Pakhto پښتو) (Native) |
Rels: | Islam (Sunni) |
Khwajgan, also known as Khwaja Khel,(خواجه خېل) is a clan or family of Yusufzai Pashtuns[1] Khwajgan settled in different parts of Swat valley Zhob District loralai District and Tank DistrictPakistan, i.e. in Bara Bandai, Mingora, Barikot,[2] Charbagh and Dakorak. Khwajgan is the title for "the Masters" or "learned people".[3] [4] [5] Khwajgan, as the plural for "Khwāja", is often used to refer to a network of Sufis in Central Asia from the 10th to the 16th century. In Firdowsi's Shahnama the word is used many times for some rulers and heroes of ancient Iran as well. Khwajgan or Khwaja Khel of Swat valley are those who follow Pashtunwali,[6] a non-written ethical code.
In the 16th century after the migration of Yusufzai from Kabul and the conquest of Swat by Yusufzai. In the 18th century, Khwajgan were settled in a village of Kabal Tehsil named Tall Dardiyal and took the profession of business into their hands. Over time, Khwajakhel was relocated to Pir Kaley Matta in the relocation system of Swat State.After some years they were again relocated to Bara Bandai Dakorak, Charbagh with the same system, and lands were allotted to the family in the village they settled. In the 20th century, some of the Khwajgan migrated from Bajaur Agency and started their journey of life in some areas of upper swat such as Sijband and Shokhdarra of Matta Tehsil.[7]
The first known people of the Khwajgan family at Swat were Fazal Ahmad Shah and Habib Shah. Fazal Ahmad Shah had three sons Sayyaden Shah, Nawab Shah, and Muhammad Shah who are now descended to almost eight generations. In the 20th century, after the urbanization of The Yusafzai State of Swat due to their business needs, Khwajgan settled in different towns and cities of Swat. Mostly in Bara Bandai, Mingora, Sangota, Charbagh, Barikot, Matta, Sijband.