The Bettani (Pashto: بېټني), also spelled Batani, Baittani or Bhittani, is a Pashtun tribe located mostly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Bettani are named after Shaykh Beṭ,^[1][2] their legendary ancestor, who is said to be the third and last son of Qais Abdur Rashid (575 – 661).^[3][1][2]

The Bettanis are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school. The Bettani confederacy includes the tribes of Bettanis, and the Matti tribes, which are the progeny of BiBi Mattu, the daughter of Sheikh Bettan. These include the Lodi, who are also known as Lohani, as well as the tribes of Marwat, and Niazi. The Shirani tribe has also been referenced as a component of the Bettani confederacy.^[4][2][5]

History

According to Makhzan-e-Afghani,^[2] a compiled history of Afghans written by Ni'mat Allah al-Harawi, the Bettani are said to be named after their ancestor Betṭ Baba (claimed by a legend to be the first Pashto poet), who lived in the Altamur range, which is located between Logar and Zurmat. The narrative continues with the account of his burial in Ghazni.^[1][6]

The Bettani are also known to have lived in the Logar, Zurmat and Ghazni areas of Afghanistan until the 15th century.^[1] However, this period saw them embroiled in conflicts with the Ghilji group. The Bettanis were eventually compelled to vacate these areas, moving towards the east. Among Bettanis, some managed to secure control over Gabarḡar, situated between the Bannu Basin and Dēra, while other segments of the Bettani lineage migrated further northeastward to the Gangetic plains.^[1][5]

Settlements

Some Bettanis reside in Pakistan, in Tank and Lakki Marwat. Jandola is considered the capital of the Bettani tribes.^[1][7][8] The area is mainly inhabited by the Bettanis. They also inhabit Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu, mostly in the mountainous areas on the borders of Tank and Bannu, from the Gabbar mountain in the north to the Gomal valley in the south.^[5][9]

During the reign of the Lodi dynasty, some Bettanis had prestigious positions, and many of them served in the Sultanate's army.^[10]

Tribal organization

The Bettani tribe is divided into four subgroups: Tattao (mostly living in Jandola, Siraghar, and Dera Ismail Khan), Bakhtiyari (living throughout Pakistan and in Petlad, Gujarat), Dhanna (living on the Gabbar mountain and in Lakki Marwat District), and Waraspun (living in Dera Ismail Khan and nearby valleys). Lakki Marwat District is also inhabited by the Boba, Bobak, and Wargara clans of the Bettanis.^[8]

The Tattao are subdivided into three clans: the Umarkhail, the Aba Khel, the Naimat Khel, and the Khaishi. The Dhanna are divided into the Ali Khail, Rattanzai, Bobi, Waroki, and Dadi Khel sub-clans. The Waraspun are divided into the Mazyani, Tari, Chapli, and Shakhi clans.

The Bettani have historically had a low population, increasing from 8,000 – 9,000 in c. 1884 to over 43,000 by c. 1960. Currently^[when?], the Bettani tribe numbers between 200,000 and 250,000.^[9]

Bettani Sufi saints

The shrine of Mama Peer is located near the town of Umar Adda. Some people in the area visit the shrine on a daily basis, particularly on Fridays. Many devotees also visit the shrine of the Sufi saint Sheikh Younas, situated near Jandola, one of the principal towns of Bettani tribe.^[1][5]

Notable people

• Qais Abdur Rashid (575 – 661) (7th century legendary ancestor of all the Pashtun people)^[1][2][3]
• Zafar Beg Bhittani
• Sheikh Mohammad Rohani
• Mufti Abdul shakoor