Lal Pur District
Lal Pur is a district in eastern Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan. Its population is primarily Pashtun and estimated to be 34,516 in 2002 (including 13,800 children under 12). The district center is the village of Lal Pur.
Lal Pur is home to many Afghan statesmen of the past century. The Marchakhel family, a sub-tribe of the Tarak Zai Mohmands, is a well-known family from Lal Pur. "Khan kor" ( Royal Family of khan), a sub-tribe of the Marchakhel Mohmands, are among the most powerful Mohmands. The Khan was regarded as the king of Mohmands by many famous Afghans such as Amir Sher Ali Khan of Afghanistan. Khan had Khani over all the Mohmands and continues to have influence over Lal Pur. Most Murchakhel now live in Pakistan.
Lal Pur was a famous trade route. The Khan would collect taxes from the traders. Lal Pur was considered a kingdom. The Khans fought frequently with the British during the Afghan wars. Saadat khan of Lal Pur was the father-in-law of Amir of Afghanistan and was the grandfather of the famous Amir Ayub Khan of Afghanistan, also known as "The Victor of Maiwand" or "The Afghan Prince Charlie".
The Marchakhel was the chief of Mohmands and had influence over all Mohmand tribes except the Safi Mohmand which were under the influence of khan of Bajawar. Marchakhels ruled over all Mohmands. Marchakhels rule was from Lal Pur, Afghanistan to Peshawar, Pakistan, the present khan of Lal Pur is Khan Tahir Zaman Mohmand Khan. Muchakhel is still a large family, mainly living in various cities in Pakistan.
