The tribe is divided into eight main clans as under:
1. Ismailzai. 2. Mandal. 3. Alizai. 4. Matakai. 5. Gurai. 6. Peghozai. 7. Bimarai. 8. Sinazai.
The Ismailzai is by far the largest and most important clan, and occupies the right bank of the Swat River and the northern slopes of the Koh-i-Mohr. The three last-named clans of the tribe live in Totai on the left bank of the Swat below its junction with the Panjkora, within Sam Ranizai limits, and separated from the Laman by the Jhindai Valley. The Laman accommodates a number of other tribes besides the Utman Khel.
The roads leading from our territory into the Utman Khel country are all difficult, but there is a good road from Matta, on the Mohmand border, through Pandiali to Ambahar. The dwellers in Laman can be easily coerced, but in their time, and particularly during the first years of British occupation of the frontier country, they have given a great deal of trouble, raiding the border and sheltering outlaws.
The Utman Khels are quite a distinct people, being unconnected with any of the Pathan races which surround them—whether Mohmands, Bajauris, or Yusafzais; they have more than once waged war with the Mohmands, but consider themselves to be on specially friendly terms with the Shinwaris.
OPERATIONS.
In the middle of the last century the favourite raiding ground of the restless spirits of the Utman Khels was the Hastnagar division. Early in 1852, they permitted one Ajun Khan, a notoriously disaffected man, to take up his residence in Utman Khel villages to the north of the district, and here he gathered together a band of adventurers like himself to raid upon our border. Finally in April, Ajun Khan collected some 200 mounted men, attacked Charsada, the headquarters of the division, plundered the treasury and slew some of our officials. On the following day he occupied Abazai, and then visited Pranghar and Nawedand, where he took up his quarters. Within a week, however, Sir Colin Campbell was moving troops out against him from Peshawar.
Expedition against the Independent Utman Khels, 1852.—Sir Colin Campbell established his headquarters at Abazai and there concentrated the following force:
First Troop, 1st Brigade Horse Artillery. Two 8–inch howitzers, 4th Battalion Artillery. 300 bayonets, 32nd Foot. One squadron 2nd Irregular Cavalry. One squadron Guides Cavalry. 2nd Company Sappers and Miners. 300 bayonets, 28th Native Infantry. 300 bayonets, 66th Gurkhas. Guides Infantry.
Expedition of 1852