DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36956#0126
Although originally a simple principle, it developed into a jungle of
variations. The point of departure was the situation immediately follow-
ing the conquest of a region in which land was the only lasting object of
value. So the soil was divided among the victors according to the
mouths to be fed. In this case, the seniors, wives, and children were
given equal shares. When the area included fields which needed irri-
gation, a separate series of allocations was arranged.
As the number of participants remained equal for only a short time, the
initial allotment of land had to be adjusted. Thus a repetition of the
intended egalitarian distribution was needed. In anticipation of future
allocations, the whole area was divided into blocks of equal value, called
m/, and subjected to an inter-sectional exchange regulated by drawing
lots. However, for this apportionment, the population had to be divided
into segments which could be maintained at equal strength, m contrast to
the demographic increase of the population which is never equal, even in
closely related families. Therefore, smaller and weaker segments were
used to augment the major units. For this procedure, specialists with
high reputation and extraordinary diplomatic abilities were needed. The
perfect model was introduced in Swat when the Yusufzai tubes, after the
battle of Katlang (circa 1525 A.D.), conquered the area. Malik Ahmad
became the undisputed ruler, and his chief mullah and spiritual advisor,
Shaikh Mali, took over the care of vast areas of conquered land. The
description in Caroe's book (1958:183) is impressive: "The whole of the
present Peshawar and Mardan districts north of the Kabul River, paid of
Bajaur, Punjkora, Swat, Buner and the adjacent Indus Valley were
surveyed - a circle of territory about hundred miles in diameter, in-
cluding a tangle of mountains and valleys between 1,000 and 10,000
feet. Wherever it was possible the twigs m eveiy tribal tree, and the
strength of tribal traditions were taken into consideration". The most
concise description of the system - of how it worked before 1925 - is
given by Makhdum Tasadduq Ahmad (1962:12-17). I follow his text
and not Barth's shorter descriptions in his famous book (Barth 1959a).
110
variations. The point of departure was the situation immediately follow-
ing the conquest of a region in which land was the only lasting object of
value. So the soil was divided among the victors according to the
mouths to be fed. In this case, the seniors, wives, and children were
given equal shares. When the area included fields which needed irri-
gation, a separate series of allocations was arranged.
As the number of participants remained equal for only a short time, the
initial allotment of land had to be adjusted. Thus a repetition of the
intended egalitarian distribution was needed. In anticipation of future
allocations, the whole area was divided into blocks of equal value, called
m/, and subjected to an inter-sectional exchange regulated by drawing
lots. However, for this apportionment, the population had to be divided
into segments which could be maintained at equal strength, m contrast to
the demographic increase of the population which is never equal, even in
closely related families. Therefore, smaller and weaker segments were
used to augment the major units. For this procedure, specialists with
high reputation and extraordinary diplomatic abilities were needed. The
perfect model was introduced in Swat when the Yusufzai tubes, after the
battle of Katlang (circa 1525 A.D.), conquered the area. Malik Ahmad
became the undisputed ruler, and his chief mullah and spiritual advisor,
Shaikh Mali, took over the care of vast areas of conquered land. The
description in Caroe's book (1958:183) is impressive: "The whole of the
present Peshawar and Mardan districts north of the Kabul River, paid of
Bajaur, Punjkora, Swat, Buner and the adjacent Indus Valley were
surveyed - a circle of territory about hundred miles in diameter, in-
cluding a tangle of mountains and valleys between 1,000 and 10,000
feet. Wherever it was possible the twigs m eveiy tribal tree, and the
strength of tribal traditions were taken into consideration". The most
concise description of the system - of how it worked before 1925 - is
given by Makhdum Tasadduq Ahmad (1962:12-17). I follow his text
and not Barth's shorter descriptions in his famous book (Barth 1959a).
110