Noorzai

The name Nurzai or Noorzai, liguistically, is a combination of Arabic and Pashto meaning son of the light. The word "nūr" derives from the Arabic word for the light. While the word "zai" derives from the Pashto word for son or son of. Zai affixed to the end of Pashtun tribal names is the Pashto equivalent of the popular Persian "zada" often affixed to the end of names belonging to indigenous Persian peoples.

In the mid 18th century, during the invasions of northwestern India, including the modern day Pakistan, by Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Durrani Empire c. 1750s–60s, a contingent of Tareens came into prominence for the role they played at the Third Battle of Panipat, January 1761, against the Maratha Empire. This little community belonging chiefly to the Batezai section of the Tor Tareen/Tarin, thereafter gained wide renown as their chiefs were appointed as governors and administrators of the lower Hazara plains, as well as the neighbouring Chach area of in Northern Punjab.

The Pashtuns believe that they are descended from the common ancestor Qais Abdur Rashid. In the case of the Tareen, they believe they are descended from his first son, Sarban, his son Sharkhbun, and his son Tareen, the founder of the tribe. Tareen had a number of sons, who correspond with the major divisions of the tribe. One was named Bor Tareen, later renamed Abdali, who is the legendary founder of the Durrani tribe. Thus, the Abdali/Durrani are in effect descended from the elder Tareen lineage.

The Nurzai that is actually spelled as "Noorzai" is the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. A clan of Durani Pashtuns, they are almost majority in the provinces of Kandahar, Urozgan, Helmand, Nimroz, Herat, Badghis, Farah, and also they are living as a minority in provinces of Faryab, Ghor, Jozjan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Khost and Kabul city. The total population of Noorzai tribe is almost 6 million persons, Noorzais make 1/5 of the entire Afghanistan's population. Noorzais are historically known to be tough warriors and the guardians of Afghanistan's southern and Western borders. Among all Pashtuns, Noorzais are recognized as very generous and hospitable people, as well as the most civilized.

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