Kasi (Pashtun tribe)


Kasi
The Kasi, also spelled Kansi, is a Pashtun tribe primarily residing in Quetta and its surrounding areas in Balochistan, Pakistan. The tribe belongs to the Sarbani branch of the Pashtuns. Historically, the Kasi have been a small tribe in terms of population, but they have played significant roles in regional politics and military affairs.
Population
According to the 1901 census, the Kasi tribe consisted of 1,064 individuals, making it one of the smaller Pashtun tribes in the region.
Sub-tribes
The Kasi tribe is divided into several sub-tribes, including:
Achozai
Gadazai
Ahmad Khanzai
Akazai
Badazai
Mirzai
Spingull
Other tribes, such as Shinwari, Zamrani, Marani, and Sharani, are sometimes mentioned in association with the Kasi.
History
Mughal Era
During the Mughal period, Shal and Mastung were under the authority of Kandahar, according to the historian Abu’l-Fazl in his work Ain-i-Akbari. At that time, Shal had an earthen fort, and the land was assessed at 4.5 Toman in cash, 940 sheep, and 780 kharwar of grain. The Kasi and Rind tribes were required to provide 1,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry soldiers for the Mughal administration.
Battle of Zangi Lora
During the reign of Shah Jahan, two chiefs of the Rind tribe, Raju and Zangi, attacked Shal via the Bolan route. The Kasi tribes successfully repelled the attack, and the battle took place approximately three miles south of Quetta. Zangi Rind was killed during the conflict, and the nearby stream is still known today as Zangi Lora.
Durrani and Kalat Periods
In the 18th century, Ahmad Shah Abdali appointed Mohammad Talib Kasi as Arbab. Later, he was killed by Mir Muhabbat Khan, the ruler of Kalat, while collecting state revenue in Keteer village. Ahmad Shah Abdali reportedly summoned Mir Muhabbat Khan to Kandahar in response to this incident.
Despite their small numbers, the Kasi tribe historically played important military and administrative roles and were among the ancient Pashtun tribes of Shal. They were active during the Mughal, Durrani, and Khanate of Kalat periods.
Modern Times
The Kasi tribe continues to maintain a respected social and political presence in Quetta and Balochistan. Members of the tribe have been involved in regional politics, administration, and education, contributing to the socio-political development of the region.
Written by Malak Arif Kasi

History

Kasi is a tribe of Pashtuns which is primarily concentrated in and around Quetta city. It is also spelled as Kansi. They belong to the Saraban division of Pashtuns. It is numerically a very small tribe, they only numbered 1064 souls in 1901 AD.
The Kasi tribe is divided into eight sections, namely, Khawajzai, khetrans,Achozai, Gadazai, Ahmad Khanzai, Akazai, Badazai, Mirzai, Shinwari, and Spingull.
According to Ain-i-Akbari of Abu Fazal, Shal & Mastung was dependency of Kandahar in later half of sixteenth century. Shal had mud fort at that time and its lands were assessed at four and half tumans in money, 940 sheep and 780 kharwars in grain. The Kasi Afghans and Baluchs of Shal- Mastung had to furnish 1,000 horse and 1,000 foot.
In the reign of Shahjahan Rajo and Zangi, Rind chiefs raided Shal by way of the Bolan. They were defeated by the Kasis after a severe engagement about three miles south of Quetta. Since then the small stream of Zangi Lora was given its name, as the action took place at its source when Zangi, the Rind chief, was killed.
The leading families of Kasis are known as Arbabs. In 18th century Ahmad Shah Abdali conferred the office of Arbab upon Muhammad Thalib Kasi. Mir Mahabat Khan killed him when he was at village Katir. The Kasi Arbab was engaged in collecting the revenue at the time and was quite unprepared for the attack. News of the occurrence immediately was despatched to Kandahar, and Ahmed Shah Durrani summoned Mahabat Khan to Kandahar to explain how he came to slay the Shah's representative in Shal.

Notable people