Langahs
The Langah (Urdu: سلسلهٔ لنگاہ) dynasty ruled Multan for 80 years. Langah is a tribe of agriculturists having different theories about their origin.[1]
History and origin
Some Langahs claim to have been originally an Pathan tribe, who came to Multan from Sui for the purposes of trade and eventually settled at Rappri, near the city of Multan.[2] In the confusion that followed the invasion of South Asia by Amir Timur, the city of Multan became independent of the Sultanate of Delhi. The inhabitants chose Shaikh Yousaf Qureshi, a descendent of the famous Sufi Baha-ud-din Zakariya, as governor. In 1445, Rai Sahra, chief of the Langahs, whose daughter had been married to Shaikh Yousaf, introduced an armed band of his tribesman into the city by night, seized Shaikh Yousaf, and sent him Delhi, and proclaimed himself king, under the title Sultan Qutbudin.The Langah tribe captured and reigned over the city of Multan for around 100 years. This a list of the Langah kings of Multan:
- Sultan Qutbudin 1445–1460
- Sultan Hussain 1460
- Sultan Firuzshah dates unknown
- Sultan Mahmud dates unknown
- Sultan Hussain 1518–1526
- Sultan Mahmood Langah 1526–1540
The dynasty was terminated with the capture of Multan, by the Mughal Emperor Babur, mainly because the tribe maintained an alliance with Ibrahim Lodi during the Battle of Panipat in 1540.
Farishta is the authority for their Pathan origin which is doubtful to say the least. Pirzada Murad Baksh Bhutta of Multan says that Langah are Panwar Rajputs by origin. According to James Tod, these Langah Rajputs were driven out by the Bhattis at least 700 years ago. Other than these theories of origin, some Langahs also claim Arab and Baloch descents.[1] Langahs are also classified as Jatts in Mandi Bahauddin, Dera Ghazi Khan and sone areas of Multan where they settled during Akbar's Reign.[1] In Montgomery Langah are a part of Arain clan.