Durrani

Durrani (, ) is a Pashtun tribal confederation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  They have been called Durrani since the beginning of the Durrani Empire in 1747.  Durrani are found throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan; although large concentrations are found in southern Afghanistan, they are also found to a lesser extent in east, west and central Afghanistan.  Many Durranis are found in North Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab, as well as in Azad Kashmir provinces of Pakistan.  The Durrani Pashtuns of the Afghan capital Kabul are usually bilingual in Pashto and Dari Persian. 

History 
The Durrani have traditionally claimed descent from the legendary founding father of all Pashtuns, Qais Abdur Rasheed, through Sarban (founder of the Sarbani tribes and reputedly the first son of four fathered by Qais), a son of Sarban named Sharkhbun, and a son of Sharkhbun named Tareen (founding father of the Tareen tribes). 

They were known in the past as Abdalis, from approximately the 7th century until the mid-18th century when Ahmad Shah Durrani was chosen as the new Emir and the Durrani Empire was established.  One of Ahmad Shah's first acts as Emir was to adopt the title padshah durr-i durran ('King, "pearl of the age").  He united the Pashtun tribes following a loya jirga in western Kandahar and changed his own name from Ahmad Shah Abdali to Ahmad Shah Durrani.  Since that period, the kings of Afghanistan have been of Durrani extraction. 

The origin of the Abdali is probably the Hephthalites. 
According to Mohan Lal, The Zirak line begins with Sulaiman Zirak Khan.  Zirak was father of Popalzai, Barakzai, and Alakozai. 

According to Hayat Khan's history of Afghanistan from their progenitor Bor Tareen, otherwise known as Abdal, are descended their two main divisions the Zirak and the Panjpai.  The term Abdal, however, gradually superseded that of Bor Tareen and came into special prominence when Ahmad Shah Abdali commonly known as Durrani, began his career of conquest.   The Achakzai are, in strictness, a branch of the durrani, but Ahmad Shah, Durrani himself an Abdal/Bor Tarin/Tareen, fearing the growing numbers of the Achakzai, separated them from the parent stock, Barakzai.  Since then, their organization has remained distinct.  It is still used, though sparingly, for the Achakzai, who have become localised in Toba and are regarded as a separate political unit from the rest of the Tarin/Tareens. 

Branches or subtribes 

The Panjpai branch are mainly found in the western Kandahar, Helmand and Farah area, and they include Alizai, Noorzai, Ishakzai or Sakzai, and Maku. 

The literacy rate of the Durrani is the highest among all the Pashtun tribes and they are also considered the most fearless of the Pashtun tribes.  The Durranis continue to live close to other people of Afghanistan and culturally overlap in many ways with the Tajiks whom they often share more cultural and socio-economic traits in comparison to the more tribal Pashtuns such as the Ghilji, which is the other major Pashtun tribe. 

Durrani / Bor or Abdali Tareen
The Bor or Abdali Tareens inhabit Pakistan and Afghanistan comprise chiefly these sections:
 Zirak
 Barakzai
 Popalzai
 Alikozai
 Panjpai
 Noorzai
 Ishakzai
 alizai
 Gilgit Baltistan
 Shah Bargah in Thoi Yasin
 Caliph in Hundur Yasin valley of Ghizer
Tongey in  Phander valley
 Other places of Gilgit Baltistan

The Bor/Abdali Tareens came to be known as 'Durranis' after Ahmad Shah Abdali became Emir of Afghanistan, and gradually this term superseded their original name. 

See also
Noorzai

References

External links
Encyclopædia Britannica - Durrani

Category:Durrani Empire
Category:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan
Category:Social groups of Pakistan
 
Category:Sarbani Pashtun tribes
Category:Pashto dialects

ca:Durrani