Tuesday 5 December 2017

HISTORY OF SATTI TRIBE

The Satti are a tribe in the region of North Punjab (Pir Panjal Range), Pakistan. Satti tribe mainly inhabits Kotli Sattian, Kahuta and Murree Hills of Rawalpindi district in north Punjab, Islamabad district, Abbottabad, Mansehra and Kohistan areas of KPK, and some scattered families also live in Afghanistan and across river Jhelum in the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 


Origin

The founding father of the Satti tribe, Satti Khan was born at Thoon in Kotli Sattian and from there his offspring spread to the neighbouring settlements.

The Satti tribe has two traditions regarding its origin. One tradition links Baba Satti to Anushirvan, A Sassanian king of Persia, while the other suggests that he was a descendant of a military commander known as Takht Khan, who accompanied Timur during the invasion of Delhi.

However, a huge number of Sattis are believed to have descended from Anushirvan, The Emperor of Sassanian Empire. When Arabs invaded and conquered Persia, the ancestors of this tribe were driven out, they took refuge in the neighbouring states of central Asia. Later on they joined the early Muslim Armies in their invasion of subcontinent and settled in the Pothohar region of Punjab, Pakistan in the train of invaders.



Education



The people of this tribe have great love and respect for knowledge. This Satti tribe has produced excellent army officers with the highest achievements, good doctors and scientists, better administrators and reputed students with incredible educational achievements. There are huge number of Sattis, who have earned Ph.D. degrees from local and foreign universities.




The Martial Race


Sattis are inborn soldiers, they possess a distinctive place and role in the Armed Forces of Pakistan. Every graveyard of Satti region is the resting place of Martyrs and War heroes. 


The high walls of mountains of the Satti region on the northeast side, protects the Federal Capital Islamabad as a fortress. As the homeland of most of the in-service and retired forces personnel, it stands surety to the well-being of the motherland.


People inhibiting harsh mountain terrains naturally grow tough and endure a great deal of physical hardship. Mountain tribes in Murree, Kahuta and Kotli Sattian, like people in the entire mountain regions, were averse to slavery. They lived fiercely independent lives since day one. It was known as Aap Raji or self-rule. However, different governments tried to subjugate these tribes from time to time with little success. The turning point arrived during Sikh rule which saw unprecedented atrocities carried out by Sikh armies against mountain tribes. Sattis were confined to higher reaches which were almost outside the approach of Sikh armies. However it forced Sattis to develop a complete self-sufficient lifestyle. They developed their own agriculture, hand mills, water mills, ploughs, etc. But they were deprived of any access to education, health or other civil amenities.


When British and Sikh fought each other Sattis naturally sided with British and Sikhs were finally defeated with the combined efforts of Sattis and British Indian army soldiers. The papers of Sikh surrender were signed at Rawalpindi. Sikhs also meted out similar punishments to other tribes who gallantly fought back them in the entire mountain ranges. The British declared Sattis as martial race and would happily recruit them in their army. The rivalries with Sikhs and subsequent alliance with Brits brought Sattis into regular military profession.

When an armed struggle was launched in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48. Ali Ghor Satti’s home in Malot Sattian served as a transit point for arms and men across river Jehlum. Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim of Sadozai tribe managed to acquire 500 Lee Enfield rifles and 45000 bullets which were stored safely in Ali Ghor Satti’s home. On the other side of the river was his son-in-law, Shukar Muhammad Satti, who coordinated the operation to safely transport arms and ammunition across river Jehlum.

Young Satti and Sadozai men swam across freezing river Jehlum and successfully managed to supply weapons to warriors and participated in the fight. The first attack was carried out against Dogra army unit stationed at Thorar. The warriors successfully climbed the rear vertical cliff of the army posts by using ropes and vines made of local shrubs. The enemy was ambushed from behind which left him bewildered with significant casualties. The rest were captured and kept as prisoners of war.

This was the starting point of Jammu and Kashmir liberation movement. The region of Poonch would not have been liberated without Sattis participation. The main reason to join the Poonch uprising was the harsh treatment meted out to Kashmiris by their rulers. Since Sattis and Sadozai have been related through different bonds, it was natural to respond to such calls. See the Striking Symmetry, When the Government of Pakistan joined in, the liberation command was assumed by Brigadier Saddiq Satti who went all the way to Poonch city. Later the Pakistan army headquarters recalled him and eventually the city fell to Indians.

Five war memorials in the Satti region were built to commemorate the gallantry during WWI. Nowhere on this earth such a small population had so many gallantry monuments built in such a number.

It is not true that Sattis showed their bravery only in regular army. Captain Riaz Satti was the right hand man to famous Indian nationalist leader Subash Chandra Bose and worked in the capacity of his secretary. Most of the WWII prisoners from Satti tribe joined Indian National Army of Bose.





The Murree Revolt


Prof. Karam Haideri has elaborated the story of Murree in his book, Dastan-e-Murree. It will be unfair to ignore the revolt that took place in nineteenth century in Murree. There are many version of this event. The local tribes in Murree planned to attack British residency at Kuldana and it was decided that Dhunds, Satti, Kethwal and Danial would participate in it. The plan was put together in a home where an old woman, named Sunnu, was also present and heard the plot. Her brother was working as a chef with the British resident commander. Ms. Sunnu was worried about the safety of her brother during this forthcoming attack. She immediately contacted her brother and asked him to take leave for few days as the resident would come under attack. Her brother asked for leave from job and he told his boss about the 'planned attack' as the reason for leave. The chef was arrested and put under military security. The British troops immediately called reinforcements from nearby cantonments such as Barrian. British established ambushes all along the gullies or passes. It is said that the warriors from the Dhund tribe launched the attacked before the set date. Some claim that Dhunds thought that Satti and other tribal participation would dilute the booty. Others claim it was not the greed for loot but sensing that British had already knew the plan it was tactically moved earlier to maintain the element of surprise. Whatever the case the revolt was crushed with an iron hand. It is told that when Satti warriors arrived under the command of Mr. Borra Khan the British forces were everywhere. When confronted by British commander, Mr. Borra Khan flipped the story and told that he came to help the British as a payback of their help against Sikhs. This saved him and his warriors from decimation. Some consider this as a cowardly act while other consider it as a great diplomatic move. Mr. Baz Khan, a Dhund chief, was hanged along with his sons and other fellows. The quest to liberate Murree was doomed forever. Tactically the revolt was defeated. Morally it succeeded as it showed the rebellious nature of mountain inhabitants against slavery.


RELATED ARTICLES

KHIABAAN - E - SATTI

TAREEKH-E-SATTIAN


NOTABLE PEOPLE


FAMILY CREST & COAT OF ARMS


THE MURREE REVOLT


SATTI TRIBE IN KASHMIR WAR


THE MARTIAL RACE    








48 comments:

  1. i have enjoyed reading your article on the Satti tribe. In your article you have mentioned that there are 5 WW1 memorials erected. I have located the following in this area including Darnoyan, Ariari, Karor and Narh. Are there any more that you know of and if so where? I would be most grateful for the information as i am recording information on all the WW1 memorials erected in Punjab and KPK. Can you email me syedali4955@hotmail.com Waiting to hear from you. regards ... Maj Gen Syed Ali Hamid

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    Replies
    1. Hi I hope you’re well and having great time. Yes there is another war memorial located at Bhan, Kotli Sattian. I’ll send you the photo at your email address.

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    2. Aoa
      Regarding shara e nasab of baba satti as mentioned here, I disagree .it only counts 57 or so generations to hazrat Adam whereas hazoor saww has 90 generations to hazrat Adam

      So alot of links r missing

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    3. Hi I am from Dornayaan, can you please indicate where exactly the war memorial erected? would be great help

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  2. Hi, Really great information, spent hours, it is a good effort.

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  3. Pahari's are always stronger and courageous. Pahari's zindabad ستّی ✌🏻️⚔️

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  4. Really enjoyed your article Sir. Thanks for providing us such an information. Well The people lived on the mountainous region are definitely more tough then any other regions. They have great stamina they can bear more and more. But the people of KOTLI SATTIAN nd MURREE are very rude and they really get infuriated on such a minor problems. In other words you can say they're totally out of their mind but their hospitality wins everyone heart
    I also belong to KOTLI SATTIAN thats why i know the truth.. 💞
    But Satti's are Satti's

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    Replies
    1. which area from kotli sattian?

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  5. hello
    can you also send me the memorial photos for informational purpose.
    I probably love to have some pictures
    Thanks in advance
    Email: bluebug.amirsatti@Gmail.com

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  6. I'm from kotli Sattian. I read my family's silsila nasb and at the top most sits the name of "Mirza Baig".
    I have read that '' Mirza Haider Ali Dughlat Baig'', a military general, used to frequent Kashmir a lot. Attacked Kashmir several times during the reign of Humayun and Babur.

    Could there be a connection between, the top ancestor 'Mirza Baig' and 'Mirza Haider Ali Dughlat Baig'? Could be.

    Baig is derived from Turkish Bey(Tribe leaders) , which were Turkish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mna satti ki bhot tarikh parhi ha islya satti ak sattizai pathan kabila ha ya afgnistan ka suba gauzni mn pay gata hn zaida tadd mn or satti ka meaning old pashto mn sher ko kha jata ha sattizai ka meaning ha sher ka bacha

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    2. Agr ap urdu mn ستی lkta ho to wo adhora lgta ha Lkn ap agr ap sattizai lkhta ho to wo pura lgta ha

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks a lot to know about our tribe

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  8. Gud information about satti tribe

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  9. Thank you so much for this great work. Just have a question regarding Sattis relationship with sadozais, ARE SADOZAIS ORIGINATORS OF SATTIS?

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    Replies
    1. Satti ak sattizia pathan or sadozai bhi ya dono kbilaa kashmir ko fath krna ka lya Afghanistan sa bhja gya tha gs ka Bd zaida sattizai ka log Afghanistan waps chla gya tha Lkn saduzia nahi gya is lya sattizai Afghanistan mn paya gata hn to is wja sa sattizai or saduzia aps mn bhot mlta hn or in ka face bhi bhot mlta hn

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    2. ap afghanistan say hn

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  10. Or baba satti ak afgan leader tha kfi pathan bhi ya baat janta hn ka baba satti ak pathan tha

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