Mohyal

Mohyals

Total population
100,000 (estimated)
Regions with significant populations
Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab (India), Pakistan, other parts of Northern India
Languages
Punjabi and Hindi
Religion
Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam
Footnotes
Brahmins Classified Martial Race in the British Indian system 7 subclans - Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Datt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid

Mohyal (alternate spellings include Muhiyal, Muhial, Mhial, Mohiyal or Mahjal) is the name of an endogamous ethnic group that originates from the Gandhara region and consists of seven Brahmin lineages of that area that left the usual priestly occupation of Brahmins long ago to serve as soldiers and in government services.

The community is noted for a long tradition of producing distinguished soldiers. - including, among others, India's most decorated General, Zorawar Chand Bakhshi.

Despite their classification as Brahmins in the Hindu Varna system, they in fact strictly refrain from working as priests--often to the point of excommunicating those who break that tradition. They also do not adhere to many customs and taboos observed by other Brahmin groups, and their regional history and specific customs mark them as a distinct ethnic group as well.

Most Mohyals are Hindus. Many are Sikhs - largely as a result of the role played by Mohyals in the formative days of the Sikh religion and also because of a tradition once popular in Mohyal families of bringing up the eldest male child as a Sikh. A small percentage are Muslims.

Mohyal clans

This ethnic group is presently divided into seven clans listed below with their gotras (lineages):

1. Bali: Parashar
2. Bhimwal: Kaushal
3. Chhibber/Chibber:Bhrigu
4. Dutta/Datta/Dutt/Datt: Bharadwaja
5. Lau: Vasishtha
6. Mohan: Kashyap
7. Baidya/Vaidya: Dhanvantri

Certain families of Segan Brahmins also consider themselves part of the Mohyal Brahmins because of their historical engagement in military and civil administration.

Community organization

The General Mohyal Sabha, with it headquarters at New Delhi is the apex body of Mohyals, to which about 75 local mohyal sabhas in different parts of India are affiliated.

Links and relations with other groups

Some Mohyal Brahmins migrated eastward and became as some sub-divisions of Bhumihar Brahmins, some of whom are also descendants of Hussaini Brahmins and mourn the death of Imam Hussain. Bhumihar Brahmins and Tyagi/ Mohyal Brahmins have an affinity and brotherhood for each other. The Bhumihar Brahmins, of whom many, though not all, belong to the Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins.

Mohyal history

Sources

Currently, a documented history of Mohyals is mostly derived from oral history and a few historical records.

The known written works include the following:

• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Rachnawali (Selected works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati), Prakashan Sansthan, Delhi, 2003.
• Bali Nama (Persian) by Rattan Chand Bali
• Mirat-ul-Mohyali (Urdu, 1870s.)
• Islah-e-Mohyali (Urdu, 1908) Raizada Rattan Chand Vaid
• Mohyal History (Urdu, 1940) Chuni Lal Dutt
• Gulshan-e-Mohyali (Urdu, 1920s) Raizada Hari Chand Vaid
• Jang Nama - An account of the Mohans by Har Bhagwan Lau
• Tawarikh-e-Vaidaan - (Punjabi) A history of the Vaids
• The history of the Muhiyals: The militant Brahman race of India (English,1911) by T.P. Russell Stracey
• Mohyal History (English, 1985) by P.N. Bali

There have also been in existence many ballads extolling the feats of Mohyals, for many centuries. The sustained existence through the centuries is attributed to the fact that in the past Mohyals used to patronize bards that were devoted to memorizing these ballads and passing them on from generation to generation.

Stracey mentions that the Mohyals are primarily a military class, divided into seven clans that have been prominently associated with the government and sometimes rulership of the country. They have also figured at some early period of history in the affairs of Arabia, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Persia. At the time of his writing he states that they were spread from Afghanistan and Punjab to Bihar.

Origin

The Mohyals are a branch of the bigger Bawanjai Saraswat group. Bawanjai literally means 52 lineages, including 6 that have since converted en masse to Islam (most prominently, the Gakhar community).

When Gandhara witnessed repeated invasions and decline in Hinduism, many Brahmins are said to have become administrators and warriors. Mohyals are believed to be a community that emerged from this larger group, from the grouping together of seven lineages sharing records of distinguished martial and administrative achievements.

Across the subcontinent, other Brahmins are also believed to switched from the traditional duties of Brahmins in favor of military and administrative ones. In other parts of the sub-continent, outside of Punjab and the Gandhara region they have been known as "brahma-kshatriya" groups. These are believed to have descended from Parshuram, such as Tyagi Brahmins in Western U.P and Haryana, Goud Brahmins in U.P. and Rajasthan, Bhumihar Brahmins in U.P. and Bihar, Gaud Saraswat Brahmins in Maharashtra, Niyogi Brahmins in [Andhra Pradesh], Anavil Brahmins in Gujarat, Havyak Brahmins in Karnataka, Namboothiri Brahmins in Kerala.

With most men either in established militaries or mercenaries, the Mohyals developed a warlike culture and reputation over the last millennium.

"A group of chivalrous Hindus called Muhiyals are very well at par with Pushtuns and Rajputs. Muhiyals have been rulers of territories in the present day Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. They are essentially a military race, which have served as soldiers throughout the centuries. They have a reputation of courage, loyalty and bravery. Muhiyals are composed of seven clans; Datt, Vaid, Chibbar, Bali, Muhan, Lau and Bhimwal. Though small in numbers but all these clans have a rich military history. In India, they are also called ‘Hussaini Brahmins’ as Muhiyals proudly claim that though being non-Muslim, a small number of them fought in the battle of Karbala on the side of Hussain. Muhiyals are very close to Pushtuns in their character. For centuries, they never or seldom paid in their revenue until coerced by a military expedition involving a number of casualties on both sides. On one occasion, they fought three sanguine battles against Babur's army as they refused to surrender a khatri girl to Mughals who had sought their protection. The testament to their chivalry is the fact that during Muslim rule, they were the only non-Muslim group on whom the title of Khan or Sultan was ever bestowed. During British rule, a number of them were residing in the military belt of Campbelpur, Rawalpindi and Jhelum area. A number of Muhiyals served with distinction in British Indian army especially cavalry. They served in many regiments especially 9th, 11th, 13th, and 19th Lancers, 3rd, 4th and 15th Punjab Cavalry and Guides Cavalry."

The legend of Rahab Sidh Datt

As per Mohyal folklore, a Mohyal of the Dutt clan had fought on behalf of Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala, more specifically in the storming of Kufa- sacrificing his seven sons in the process. According to legend, Rahab Sidh Datt (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala. The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an Al-Hindiya in existence today. The Dutts have traditionally been referred to as Hussaini Brahmins‎ since times immemorial Munshi Premchand's novel ‘Karbala’ also mentions about Hindus fighting for the sake of Imam Hussain, and refers to them as descendants of Ashwatthama, who the Dutt clan considers to be an ancestor. This legend occupies an important part in the Dutt clan's oral history, and is considered a source of pride for them.

Zameer Hassan Kazmi, in his article "Imam Husain's Hindu Devotees" published in The Illustrated Weekly of India, documents sacrifices made by Hindus, particularly Dutt Brahmins, while fighting on the side of a descendant of Prophet Mohammad.

However, certain historians also believe that the seven persons who stepped forward to take up priesthood earlier had sent a representative each from their respective clans under the leadership of Rahib Sidh Dutt.

Places named after Mohyals

• Prem Kot - Village near Nankana Sahib, named after Bakhshi Prem Singh Vaid, IOM with 2 bars, OBI
• Mansehra - Town in NWFP, named after Sardar Raja Mahaan Singh "Mirpuria"
• Ganda Singh Wala - Now a village near Kasur, Pakistan, named after Ganda Singh Datt, IOM, OBI
• Dhok Balian Village in Punjab, Pakistan, once populated with many Bali Mohyals

Famous Mohyals

Famous in early Sikh history

• Bhai Mati Das–He was a descendant of the same family as Baba Praga and was a disciple of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He preferred a barbaric death instead of a forced conversion to Islam. Bhai Mati Das was sawed in half on 9 November 1675 under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb for his refusal to convert, and his only last wish was that he be allowed to face his Guru while the execution was being carried out.
• Bhai Sati Das–He was the younger brother of Bhai Mati Das, and a scholar of Persian who translated hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur for the understanding of some of his Muslim followers. He too was executed in a barbaric fashion on 10 November 1675 by being subjected to cuts and later burned alive, for his refusal to convert to Islam.

Many descendants of this extended Chhibber clan of Karyala (Bhai Charan Singh, Bhai Gaj Singh, Bhai Wazir Singh and Bhai Jai Bhan) were entrusted with senior posts during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and awarded jagirs and stipends. They were issued certificates of honour, exempted from paying salt-tax and severe punishments were provisioned for anyone disturbing the peace of their families.

During Sikh rule

• Sardar Raja Mahan Singh "Mirpuri"–(Bali), was a famous soldier in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army, who rose to become second-in-command under Hari Singh Nalwa, playing a leading role in the battles of Peshawar and Kashmir, and in defending the Fort of Jamrud in 1837. He was conferred the tile of Raja by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is believed that the town of Mansehra in the North West Frontier Province is named after him. His father Data Ram was a counsellor to the Gakhar Subedar of Gurat, Mukkarb Khan.

In Afghanistan

• Brigadier General Dewan Niranjan Dass–He was Chairman of the State Bank of Afghanistan and Finance Minister of Amir Aman Ullah Khan. Besides being a trusted advisor to the King, was quite popular amongst the Afghan people as well. A descendant of Dewan Narain Dass, he earlier served as Sardaftar-e-Wajuhat having responsibility for all taxation in the Kingdom.

From the Armed Forces of British and/or Independent India

• 2nd Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt posthumous winner of India's highest gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, in 1997 for his role in a counter-terror operation
• Maj. Vijay Rattan Choudhry (Datt)–posthumously won MVC in Indo Pak war of 1971
• Lt. Col. Rajeev Bakshi–posthumously awarded Sena Medal for his role in a counter insurgency operation that he chose to lead from the front, even when his seniority had allowed him to delegate the task.
• Brig. Ravi Datt Mehta–A highly rated officer, died serving as India's Defence Attache in Kabul upon being targeted in a homicide bombing.
• Sardar Bahadur Risaldar-Major Chaudhri Ganda Singh Datt, OBI (awarded Order of Merit (IOM) in 1857, saved the life of Sir Robert Sandeman at Lucknow, and later excelled in British Indian Army's wars with China and Afghan Campaigns particularly in the famous march to Kandahar)
• Maj Gen SK Bali (Artillery) - 2000, VSM (Vishisht Seva Medal), then Brigadier [1]
• Sardar Bahadur Risaldar-Major Bakshi Tirath Ram Vaid, OBI, OBE, IOM awarded after battle of Malakand in 1897
• Major (Raizada) Madan Lal Vaid, Military Cross in World War II, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.
• Lt. Gen. Zorawar Chand Bakhshi (Lau) (hero of the capture of the strategic Haji Pir pass in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, and India's most decorated General so far, time having been awarded PVSM, MVC, VrC, VSM and the MacGregor Medal)

In other fields in British and/or Independent India

• Pandit Amir Chand Bombwal - a freedom fighter in the Indian independence movement
• Sir Ganesh Dutt–Longest serving minister in the entire British Empire.
• Dr. Bhai Mahavir–(former Governor of Madhya Pradesh, son of Bhai Parmanand)
• Bhai Parmanand (Chhibber)–(A social reformer in the Punjab, and a descendant of the family of Bhai Mati Das)

• In the Indian Film Industry
• Sunil Dutt
• Geeta Bali,
• Om Prakash,
• Anand Bakshi,
• JP Dutta,
• Gauri Chhibber Khan
• Sanjay Dutt,
• Lara Dutta (prior to becoming an actor, was also Miss Universe),
• Divya Dutta
• Aryan Vaid

Journalists/Writers

• Ashok Lav (Lau)

See also

• Brahmins
• Bhumihar Brahmins
• Saraswat Brahmins
• Punjabi Brahmins

External links

• Official Website of General Mohyal Sabha
• Article on 2nd. Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt at Bharat Rakshak, unofficial site of Indian Armed Forces
• Hindu followers of Muslim imam , The Milli Gazette, Vol.5 No.10, (16-31 May 04)