562 Some Remarks on the Origin of the Afghan people. [No. 6. 



lie converted his family and tribe to the new faith, and taught them 

 the Koran. He made war on the infidels with greater zeal than 

 ever, and was celebrated for his piety. At length finding his end 

 approaching, he called his family and tribe around him, and enjoined 

 them to keep their hearts fixed on the only true religion, and their 

 feet firm in the path of Islam ; to show friendship and obedience to 

 the followers of Muhammad, and to make war on the infidels, and 

 convert them to the only true faith. After taking an affectionate leave 

 of all, " the swallow of his soul having escaped from the wintry cage 

 of this world, took its flight towards the summer mansions of eter- 

 nal bliss." 



He was blessed with three sons. — Sari, Ghari, and Tabri. The first 

 known as Sarban or Sarband, succeeded his father in the chieftain- 

 ship, and gave name to one of the two great divisions of the Afghans 

 called Sarbans. The second also called Gharghasht, gave name to 

 the Gharghashts. The descendants of these three sons constitute 

 the whole of the different Afghan clans, with their numerous branch- 

 es and ramifications. 



The tribes which are included in the Sarban division, are ; — Ab- 

 dalf, Tarin, Barech, Mabanah, Gliarshin, Shirani, Babari, Kansi, 

 Jamand, Katani, Kaliani, Tarkani, Khalil, Mhomand, Daouddzoe,* 

 and Yusufzo'e. The twelve Astdnahs or families who are considered 

 sacred by the other Afghans, from their progenitors having been 

 devotees, are also included amongst the Sarbans. The Abdali, Tarin, 

 Babari, Jamand and Yusufzo'e tribes have each one family, the 

 Khalil three, and the Mhomands four. 



The different branches of the Gharghasht division or offspring of 

 Ghari, are ; — the Surani, Jailam, Drukzo'e Afridi, Chakam, Janki 

 or Jangi, Kerani, Babi, and Mashwani tribes. 



The third son, Tabri, is the progeniter of the Ghalzo'e, Ludhi, Nia- 

 zi, Lohani, Sorbani, and Klakpur clans, the whole of whom are styled 

 Tabrins. It is said there was an illicit connexion between one of 

 the daughters of Tabri, and Mast Ali Ghori,t and after a short time 



* Zo'e in Pushto means, son — zai is a corruption of the word. 



f The ancestor of the Ghorian Sultans who conquered Ghazni, in 1152. <JU 



ghal\n Pushto means a thief, and ^jj zoe a son, hence i^fj& Ghalzoe the son 

 of a thief ; ^\j is a mere corruption'of the word. 



