Akhund Salak Baba

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The ancestor of the Akhund Khel community, Akhund Salak Baba, who resided not only in Mansehra but also in various other cities across Pakistan, originally came from Turkestan. His brother was Akhund Sabak Baba. Aqab Khattak, a historian, discusses Pir Sabak (brother of Akhund Salak Baba) in his book "Tazkira Pir Sabak" on page 59, noting that Pir Sabak's ancestors originally hailed from Bukhara. From there, they migrated to Khost and settled near Miskoh. Some moved to Kohat, others to Akora Khattak, while some remained in Khost.

The descendants of Akhund Salak continue to preserve his lineage, which spans approximately three generations.

Religious Identity

Akhund Salak Baba was a follower of Imam Abu Hanifa. His religious contributions can be categorized into two main aspects:

1. Tariqat (Spiritual Path)

Akhund Salak and his brother Akhund Sabak were disciples of Akhund Panju Baba and maintained strong connections with Sheikh Rahamkar Kaka Sahib. Professor Muhammad Akhtar, in his writings, mentions that both brothers, Akhund Salak Baba and Akhund Sabak Baba, were devoted followers of Maulana Sheikh Abdul Wahab, famously known as Akhund Panju Baba.

2. Sharia (Islamic Law)

Akhund Salak Baba was a distinguished scholar of the Quran, Sunnah, and Hanafi jurisprudence. As noted by Muhammad Akhtar in his book "Tajik Dawati" on page 53, Akhund Salak was a learned scholar, author, and historian. Chiragh Hussain, in "Tazkira Pir Sabak" on page 71, confirms this by describing Akhund Salak Baba as a renowned scholar, warrior, and ascetic mentioned in several books.

Khan Roshan Khan, in "The History of the Yusufzai Tribe" on page 59, writes that Akhund Salak Baba was a prominent warrior, Mujahid (holy warrior), and author. During the establishment of an Islamic state in the Peshawar Valley by Syed Ahmad Shaheed, many decisions were based on Akhund Salak Baba's book, Fatawa-e-Arabiyya. Muhammad Akhtar further notes on page 50 that one of his notable works, Behr-ul-Ansab, gained significant recognition.

Name and Ancestry

Akhund Salak Baba's real name was Syed Akbar Shah. This is substantiated by two sources:

1. Historical texts refer to him as Syed Akbar Shah.
2. The descendants of Akhund Salak Baba confirm that their ancestor's name was Syed Akbar Shah.

Aqab Khattak, in his book "Tazkira Pir Sabak" on page 59, mentions the name Akbar Shah alongside Pir Sabak in a manuscript titled Majmua-ul-Ansab. Additionally, several elders of the Akhund Khel family assert the same.

Lifespan and Death

Determining the exact birth year of Akhund Salak Baba is challenging due to the lack of records. However, based on family traditions, it is believed that he passed away at the age of 80. Historical sources, such as Muhammad Akhtar in "Mamlakat-e-Gabr" on page 50, mention his death year as 1067 AH (1658 CE). Another account, in "Rohani Taron" on page 504 by Asar Afghani, records his death as 1667 CE.

Considering his teacher, Akhund Panju Baba, was born in 1040 AH (1618 CE) and died in 1639 CE, it is estimated that Akhund Salak Baba passed away around 1658 CE. Based on these calculations, Akhund Salak Baba was likely born around 1578 CE and passed away in 1658 CE.

Migration and Settlement

To organize his jihad activities, Akhund Salak Baba chose Kabul Gram, Swat (now in the district of Shangla), as his base. His descendants settled in different regions, including Swat, Kala Dhaka (now Torghar district), and the Konsh Valley.

Akhund Salak Baba’s second wife and her descendants are spread across areas like Korea village, Mardan Tehsil, Buner, and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His personal residence and spiritual retreat still exist in these areas, as do the descendants of his brother, Akhund Ssbak Baba.

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