Niat Zareen Charvelu of Torkho by Hidayat ur Rahman

Niat Zareen Charvelu of Torkho. He was the son of Shah Zareen Charvelu of Torkho (Rayeen) who died in 1918. Niat Zareen was born in 1890c possibly at Charvelandur Rayeen, during the reign of Mehtar Aman ul Mulk. The Chawo of Torkho always remained with his family. His ancestor Muhammad Ashraf was the first Charvelu appointed during the reign of Shah Abdul Qadir Rais (d1763). Duran Shah and Zareen Shah were also Charvelus and active in the tribal politics of Chitral. Two families in Chitral which have been maintained the Charveluship from Rais period to 1954. One was Zarin family of Torkho and the other was the Menor family of Lotkuh. Mehtar Sardar Nizam ul Mulk and Mehtar Muzafar were fostered in the family of Niat Zareen. Niat Zareen was the foster brother of Mehtar Muzafar ul Mulk.

1. As an Administer
The word Charvelu is an archaic Khowar word, but the meaning is not to be disclosed yet, but there are some assumptions about Charvelu
1. Derived from Char Walo
2. Derived from Charvel of Lotkuh which is the place of oldest Charvelus of Chitral.
Function and duties
Willaim Lackhart says in 1887
In Chitral (Chitral Proper) there is an Aksakal, and under him Charwelus. In Yasin the chief official is the Atalikh, under whom are a Hakim and Charwelus. In Mastuj there are a Hakim and Aksakals; in Lutko a Charwelo. In Turiko there is a Baramosh and under him Charwelus and Atdlikhs. In Muriko an Atalikh is the head official, and under him are Charwelus and Aksakals. In Arkari there is one Charvelu—
According to Military Report and Gazetteers 1928
“Hakim, Charvelu and Ataleq are equivalent titles the holder of which is usually adamazada class, but these are several exceptions. They are Mehtar’s representatives in a village or group of villages. The Charvelus of Yarkhun. Laspur, Barenus and Koghuzi are inferior rank and responsible to the local Hakims” (P 70:1928).
According to B.E.M Gurdon that Torkho is under Shah Zareen Charvelu under him other officials.
Military Report also narrates the position of Charvelu Niat Zareen in the following words.
The Governor of Torkho is Shahzada Muzafar ul Mulk but he is working as secretary of HH. On his absence, Charvelu Niat Zareen is officiating for him (GoI 1928).
In my research the any name of Chow was not important but the importance was the personality and relations with rulers. If we study during the rule of Mehtar Aman ul Mulk Torkho was under a Baramush who was the foster brother of Mehtar. Similarly later period, Niat Zareen was the Charvelu and under him other officials. There was no fixed system of administration but in Torkho, Kosht, Oveer and Lotkuh there were Charvelus with full power of administration. In Yarkhun, Laspur, Drosh, Koh, Sheshikuh and Arandu the Hakims were powerful under Hakims Charvelus and Aksakals

Good administration was the backbone of Chitrali politics. An effective administrator was an asset of tribal politics. In Torkho sub-district there were an Ataleque, Hakim and Baramush, all of them were under Niat Zareen. Hence his team was good and experienced. He had organized Boldoye force for the construction of canals, roads and forts etc. During his time, sent a group of Boldoye for the construction of the canal of Bakerabad in 1909. On his endeavor canal of Bakerabad was completed.
During his tenure state revenues from Torkho has been increased considerably. During his term, few court cases have been registered in most cases he himself decided in Torkho.
2. As a Solder
He was the Subedar Major of State Body Guard, an organization raised in 1909. Under him three companies of State Body Guard. He led the companies during the Third Afghan War in 1919. They played a decisive role in capturing enemies’ cannons.
3. As a Falconer and Polo player
Niat Zareen was a known falconer as alluded by various State Officials in various records of archives. He was also a known polo player. His team won the five polo competitions held in Chitral.
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