Mangral

The Mangral, Mahngral (Urdu: مہنگرال، منگرال) are a Rajput warrior clan originating from the Jangladesh region of Rajastan and the historical founders and rulers of the Panjab Hills States of Kotli and Poonch. Their ancestor Raja Mangar Pal was the founder of the City of Kotli in Pakistan administered Azad Kashmir. They are also known as Mangarpal. Both Mangral and Mangarpal are also used as family names although it is more common to use the family name Khan following their ancestor Raja Sensphal Khan who founded the City of Sehnsa and was the first Mangral to adopt Islam.

The Mangrals ruled Kotli State until 1815 and they ruled Poonch State until 1819 following which both of these states were incorporated into the State of Jammu by the Sikh Raja Ranjit Singh.

Today, Mangrals are based mainly in Kotli District, Poonch District (AJK) Trar Dewan Rawalakot(AJK) and Poonch in Indian Administered Kashmir , also Kahuta Tehsil of Rawalpindi District in Punjab, Pakistan. Many have also emigrated to Europe and the United States of America.

Aerial View of Kotli Mangrallan The Mughal Emperor Jahangir when asked about Kashmir, is said to have replied
Persian: "Gar firdous bar rue zamin ast, hamin ast, hamin ast, hamin ast”
Translation: “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here”

Chandravanshi Rajput Origin of Mangrals

Lord Krishna with Radha, as painted by Raja Ravi Varma

Mangrals are a Chandravanshi Rajput clan descended from Raja Mangar Pal son of Hani Dev who migrated to present day Sialkot from the Jangladesh region of northern Rajastan in the Twelfth century A.D. Hani Dev's brother Nirmal Dev continued to live in Jangladesh. Prior to the mid 15th Century Jangladesh was a wild barren area. It was subsequently conquered by Rao Bika a Rathore Rajput and since then has been known as Bikaner.

In Hindu mythology, the Chandravanshi lineage is one of the three lineages into which the Kshatriya caste of Hindus is divided, the other two being the Suryavanshi descended from Surya (the sun) and the Agnivanshi, descended from Agni (fire). According to legend, the Chandravanshis are descended from Chandra, in the Lunar Dynasty or the Hindu Moon God.

Yaduvanshi are the descendants of King Yayati's son Yadu. According to Purans, King Yayati had two wives, Sharmishtha and Devyani. Devyani was the daughter of Asura Guru Shukracharya. Yadu was the son of Yayati and Devyani. Lord Krishna was born in this clan. In fact Raja Bijai Pal who founded the princely state of Karauli in 995 claimed that he was 88th in descent from Lord Krishna.

Hani Dev settled in the Royal Court of Kashmir in Sialkot (Winter Capital) whilst his brother Nirmal Dev continued to live in Jangladesh. Following the death of his father, Raja Mangarpal moved to Kashmir where he ruled the states of Kotli (now a Tesil and District of Azad Kashmir) and Poonch (now divided between Pakistan and India).

Raja Hani Dev was the son of Raja Aori Pal who was the son of Raja Cchatar Pal who was the son of Raja Burj Pal. The ancestral line of the Mangral Rajputs goes back in time through the Yaduvanshi lineage of Chandravanshi Rajput. The Yaduvanshis claim descent from the Hindu God Krishna, who in turn was born into a Chandravanshi dynasty.

The name Dev is derived from the Sanskrit word Deva meaning Divine or 'god-like'. Devas, in Hinduism, are celestial beings that control forces of nature such as fire, air, wind, etc. They are not to be confused with the One and the Supreme God or His personal form.

The adoption of the title "Dev" in the royal family's migration to Kashmir is interesting. The title "Deva" is a royal designation and was attached to the names of kings and queens in the feminine and masculine way. Hence came the Rajput salutation Jaidea! (Jai Deva!) which is accorded only to Rajputs in the hills, and may have been originally the distinctive salutation of the Raja only. The Sanskrit form in full is "Jayatu Deva!" meaning "May the King be Victorious!"

(In the Brihad-Gautamiya Tantra, Radharani is described as follows: "The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord.")

Kotli Mangrallan and Poonch

As stated in History of the Panjab Hill States by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel: "Kotli was founded about the fifteenth century by a branch of the royal family of Kashmir. Kotli and Punch remained independent until subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1815 and 1819 respectively."

The royal family of Kashmir Hutchinson and Vogel are referring to is the family of Raja Mangar Pal.

Kotli was historically known as Kotli Mangralan.

History of Panjab castes by J. Hutchinson and J.P.Vogel lists a total of 22 states 16 Hindu and 6 Muhammadan that formed the State of Jammu following the conquest of Raja Ranjit Singh in 1820. Of these 6 Muhammadan States two (Kotli and Punch) were ruled by Mangrals, two (Bhimber and Khari-Khariyala) by Chibs one (Rajouri) by the Jarrals and one (Khashtwar) by the Khashtwaria. Of these 22 states 21 formed a pact with Ranjit Singh and formed the State of Jammu. Only Poonch previously ruled by the Mangrals and subsequently awarded to Hira Singh, a nephew of Gulab Singh, retained a state of semi-autonomy. Following the War of 1947 Poonch was divided and is now split between Pakistan Administered Kashmir Poonch District (AJK) and Indian Administered Kashmir Poonch

Raja Sehns Pal Khan and Establishment of Sehnsa

Raja Sehns Pal Khan was the grandson of Raja Mangarpal and he established the City of Sehnsa which is now one of the largest towns in the Pakistan side of Kashmir known as Azad Kashir (AJK). Raja Sehns Pal, the grandson of Raja Mangar Pal, was the first Mangral to convert to Islam and was given the title Khan meaning ruler. The Mangrals have carried this title since together with the title of Raja.

In the late 12th Century the defence of the North Western borders had been assigned by the Hindu rulers of India to the Gakhars a fierce and warlike tribe of Persian descent. The Potohar plateau was at this time ruled by the Gakhar king Mang Khan Gakhar whose territory included the areas of Chana, Bhaneer and Choomukh (nowadays known as Mirpur) as well as the areas beyond and into the mountains of Kashmir.

Around this time Raja Sehns Pal and his companions had established residence in Malot (near to modern day Mirpur) and then at Kobara. They had also established the first Mangral village at Nikka Tranna. On hearing of the arrival of Raja Sehns Pal in the area and because of the famous noble lineage of the Mangrals from the ancient and renowned Chandra Bansi (Lunar God) dynasty of India and because of the reputation in battle of his grandfather Raja Mangar Pal the local Hindu tribes united and rallied around Raja Sehns Pal and swore allegiance to him.

Raja Sehns Pal fought a battle alongside two legendary historic figures: the Afghan Sultan Shohab Ul-Din Ghauri and his Turkish General Qutb-ud-din Aybak (who went on to become the first Sultan of Delhi) in which they defeated the Gakkhar King Mang Khan Ghakhar. Raja Sehns Pal then gained control over a very large area which became the States of Kotli and Poonch. The first capital (Rajdhani) of the Mangral’s was then established at a place called Saila, the ruins of which remain to this day. In fact the nearby City of Sehnsa which is now one of the largest town’s in Azad Kashmir is named after Raja Sehns Pal Khan its founder.

In honour of his grandfather, Raja Sehns Pal then built a residence on the banks of the river Poonch which he called Kotli Mangrallan (Kotli meaning residence and therefore Kotli Mangrallan meaning the residence of the Mangrals). Raja Sehns Pal embraced Islam under the guidance of the Sufi Saint Hazrat Mastan Wali Shah Ullah (RA) which resulted in the entire population of Kotli and Poonch State accepting Islam. In fact this is how Islam first came to these areas. Islam has since thrived and flourished in Kotli to such a degree that Kotli became famous as the “City of Mosques” and the “City of Saints”. There is today probably a higher concentration of mosques in Kotli than almost any other City in the world.

Raja Sehns Pal was awarded the title “Khan” by Ghauri and the Mangral's have carried this title ever since, together with the title of Raja. The shrine of Hazrat Mastan Wali Shah Ullah (RA) still exists in Saila and has been well cared for by the local population.

A short time later, in the year 1206 the Gakhars managed to exact revenge on Ghauri when they raided his camp on the banks of the river Jhelum and managed to kill him. However, the rule of the Mangrals in Kotli and Poonch under the leadership of Raja Sehns Pal and his descendants was to continue for over 600 years before the decline of the Mughal Empire saw the brief Emergence of the Sikhs followed by a short period of rule by the Dogra’s

Raja Sehns Pal Khan had five sons from whom all the Mangral trace their origins. In fact the names chosen by Raja Sehns Pal for his sons show the closeness he had with the Afghan kings:

1. Raja Tatar Khan
2. Raja Daan Khan
3. Raja Janib Khan
4. Raja Murtatab Khan
5. Raja Qandahar Khan (died without issue)

Pictures Provided by Raja Nazir Ahmad Khan Mangral Rawalpindi

• 
  TIKKA MANGRAL
• 
  MANGRAL WEIGHT LIFTING STONE AT SAILA RUINS
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  SHRINE OF HAZRAT MASTAN SHAH WALI ULLAH
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  SAILA RUINS

Documented History of the Mangrals

The history of the Mangrals is covered with the fog and the dust of time. The Great Mangral rulers in line with tradition appointed the trustworthy people from the Mirassi caste and the story tellers of the Panjab Hills States to protect the lineages and the family trees of their ancestors. The Mangral rulers rewarded the Miraasi with Jagirs (feudal lands awarded for service to the ruler). Of particular mention are Rai Qadir Miraasi and Rai Watu Miraasi. Their descendants kept up to date the lineages and many other historical events and the Jagirs are still under their use.

The District Inspector of schools for Mirpur, Raja Muhammad Yaqoob Tariq (The writer of the history of Gakhars) succeeded in meeting with one of the family members of these Miraasis, named Sahib Din and acquired some historical information about Mangral Rajputs of Kotli Mangrallan and published them in a monthly magazine under the subject “The Valley of Sehnsa Kotli” in 1955.This was a short history of Mangral Rajputs.

Hust-O-Bood is the first more detailed history of Mangral written by Mian Ejaz Nabi of Gujarat Pakistan.

((A glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province)) based on the census report for the Punjab, 1883 written by Sir Denzil Ibbetson has reference to the Mangral. Under Western Rajputs, he writes that “The third Group is the Rajpoots of the western hills including the Salt Range Tract, comprising both dominant tribes of proud position such as Janjua and Mongrel Rajpoots from the Jammu hills and descendants either of the Yadu Bansi( Bhutti) dynasty of Kashmir and Mythical Raja Rasalu of Sialkot.” As we wrote earlier, the Mangrals migrated from Jangladesh to Sialkot and then to Kotli in Kashmir.

"KohTali Sey Kotli tak" the article written by Sagar Kashmiri in a College magazine "Naveed-e-Sahar " Kotli Azad Kashmir. (Ref. by Sarfraz Mangral)

(The following documents are provided by Mr. Raja Nazir Ahmad Khan Mangral)

• MANGRAL SHAJARA A
  MANGRAL SHAJARA A
• MANGRAL SHAJARA B
  MANGRAL SHAJARA B
• MANGRAL SHAJARA C
  MANGRAL SHAJARA C
• MANGRAL SHAJARA D
  MANGRAL SHAJARA D
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 1
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 1
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 2
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 2
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 3
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 3
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 4
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 4
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 5
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 5
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 6
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 6
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 7
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 7
• MANGRAL SHAJARA 8
  MANGRAL SHAJARA 8

Kotli Mangrallan, Ranjit Singh and the Dogras

The Mangrals ruled Kotli state for many centuries until they were defeated by the army of the Sikh leader Ranjit Singh (referred to locally by the derogatory name 'Kaala Kaana' i.e. the black faced 'boz-eye' - a reference to his dark complexion and the fact that he had only one eye) following three bloody battles. The Mangrals led by Raja Shah Sawar Khan defeated the Sikh forces in the first two battles (1812 and 1814) though at very high cost in loss of life. Following these two battles the Sikh army returned in 1815 with 30,000 soldiers and a final battle ensued. Having lost many fighters the Mangrals agreed to a compromise with the forces of Ranjit Singh. The Mangrals agreed to give up control of the City (which was then actually based in Baraali near to modern day Kotli) which was handed to Ranjit Singh. The rural areas remained in the control of various Mangral families as jagirs from Jammu and they continued to be the landowners and collectors of tax revenues until 1962 Following the Pakistani Land Reform Acts whereby the ownership of the land was transferred to the tenant farmers without compensation to the landowners.

The Panjab Hill States were merged by Ranjit Singh into the state of Jammu which was passed into the control of Kishore Singh the father of Gulab Singh and a distant relative of Jit Singh the Raja of Jammu. Gulab Singh had joined the army of Ranjit Singh in 1812 and had risen through the ranks and found favour with Ranjit Singh. The granting of Jammu was a reward for the services of Gulab Singh and family.

The 27 years of Sikh rule followed by the 100 years of Dogra rule were a period considered to be the biggest calamity ever to befall the people of Kashmir. Although the majority of the population was Muslim, many mosques were closed, cow slaughter was prohibited and an immense tax burden was placed on the people. Ranjit Singh even taxed the poor people something which had never happened before under Muslim rule. Muslim's were denied access to basic education, were banned from carrying arms and were not admitted to the armed services. The result was mass emigration of Kashmiris to the Muslim areas of the Punjab where they were granted refuge, education and employment in military service.

Kotli was populated by Sikhs imported by Ranjit Singh from the Punjab. In particular, they set up in Kotli Sikh Blacksmith's workshops which supplied the Sikh army with weaponry. Alas, these weapons were not only used in warfare but were also used to terrorize and subdue the civilian population of Kashmir. As reported to the Viceroy Lord Reading following a visit by Muslim scholars to Srinagar in 1921:

"Military was sent for and most inhumane treatment was meted out to the poor, helpless, unarmed, peace-loving labourers who were assaulted with spears, lances and other implements of warfare"

Following the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839 the Sikh Empire went into rapid decline. Ranjit Singh was succeeded by his eldest son Kharak Singh who was in power for only a few months before being removed from power and replaced by his son Nau Nihal Singh. Kharak Singh the eldest legitimate son of Ranjit Singh was imprisoned by the Sikhs and suffered a painful death through slow torturing. Whilst returning from the funeral of his father, Nau Nihal Singh was injured when the archway of a wall collapsed on him. He was rushed away to a tent unconscious but suffering from relatively mild injuries. When the tent was later opened, Nau Nihal Singh lay there with his head crushed in. The collapse of the building is believed to have been orchestrated by the Dogra brothers, Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh. Nau Nihal Singh was replaced by another son of Ranjit Singh, namely Sher Singh. Sher Singh was himself killed only two years later in 1841 as he reached for a new shotgun held by his cousin Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, who pulled the trigger. Sher Singh only had time to utter the words "what treachery" before Ajit Singh removed his head with a single blow from his sword.

During the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846), Gulab Singh betrayed the Sikhs and sided with the British. In return for his treachery towards his own people he was awarded Kashmir by the British in 1846 as a fiefdom for eternity for the paltry sum of 7.5m Rupees.

Gulab Singh ruled Kashmir with immense cruelty and was famously resisted by the Mangrals of Kotli, the Gakhar of Mirpur, the Jarral of Rajouri and the Chib of Bhimber.

However, having double crossed their own people the Dogra's were not averse to also double crossing the British. Having seen the erosion of Sikh power they colluded with the Russian's in a plan to invade India. On discovering this the British replaced Pratap Singh (the Grandson of Gulab Singh) with his brother Amar Singh who in turn was succeeded by his own son Hari Singh. There the line of Dogra rulers would end as the heir apparent Karan Singh never took the throne. Karan Singh's own legitimacy was the subject of much speculation. As Tariq Ali writes:

"On the French Riviera, Tara Devi, the fourth wife of the dissolute and infertile Maharaja Hari Singh – he had shunted aside the first three for failing to produce any children – gave birth to a boy, Karan Singh. In the Srinagar bazaar every second person claimed to be the father of the heir-apparent. Five days of lavish entertainment and feasting marked the infant heir’s arrival in Srinagar. A few weeks later, public agitation broke out, punctuated by lampoons concerning the Maharaja’s lack of sexual prowess, among other things."

Under the Dogra rule. the people of Kashmir were reduced to a state of slavery. The Muslims, whilst comprising 96% of the population had a literacy rate of only 0.8%.

The wretched state of the people was summed up in a 1921 poem by the Great Kashmiri Poet Allama Iqbal:

"In the bitter chill of winter shivers his naked body, whose skill wraps the rich in royal shawls."

Regardless of the true parentage of Karan Singh, the Yuvraj (young Prince) would never sit on the royal throne of Kashmir. Instead, salvation finally came in 1947 when the brave people of Kashmir led by the likes of General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan, Raja Colonel Mahmood and Raja Saif Ali Khan (to name but a few) soundly defeated and expelled the Dogras and liberated a large part of Kashmir which is now Azad Kashmir. In recognition for his services, Raja Saki Daler Khan was named Fat-e-Kotli by the War Council.

Barali

Barali is a beautiful village and union council located between Kotli and Gulpur. It is located in a very beautiful valley with vast fields and outstanding views. Raja Samat Khan, Raja Karmudi Khan, Raja Shadman Khan, and Raja Sattar Muhammad Khan were the Mangral Rajput Chieftains who fought against the Dogra Army and tried their best to liberate the territory. Barali was invaded by the Dogra army commander Sher Singh who was defeated by Raja Karmudi Khan. In Barali, Raja Muhammad Ayub Khan(ex-chaiman of Barali Union council in 1967), Raja Muhammad Akram Khan(ex-chairman of Barali Council), Raja Nassar Khan(U.K), Raja Haji Fayyaz Akram (Business man, UK), Raja Sabeel Ahmed Khan(USA), Raja Qudrat Ullah Khan(USA),Raja Naseer Khan(Business man), Raja Waqqas Akram Khan,Raja Karamat Subhani Khan(USA)are a few of the notable personalities.

Mangrals of Fagoosh are descendants of Raja Sattar Muhammad Khan. In Fagoosh, Raja Azeem Khan (commissioner), Brigadier Raja Akbar Khan (ex- chairman MDA), Raja Isaaq Khan (U.K), Raja Wali Dad Khan (Ex Soldier British Indian Army), Subedar Raja Fazal Dad khan, Raja Umer Khatab Khan, Raja Abdul Qayum Tehsildar and Master Raja Muhammad Riaz Mangral Senior Teacher Noor Pur are the notable personalities.

Mangrals of Kartoot Sarhota near Danna are the descendants of Raja Sakhi Waliat Khan who was the real nephew to Raja Shahsawar Khan(the Last Mangral ruler).

Mangrals of Choki Mong are from Raja Naasar Khan who was the brother to Raja Shahsawar Khan. From this line, Raja Abdul Karim (kotli city) and Raja Parvaiz Khan of Choki Mong are notable personalities.

Bratla and Tradition of Rajput to Live in the Highest Places

Being of high status the Rajput of the Hill States have traditionally chosen to live in the physically highest location with their subjects occupying the lower lands which is why Kotli and Bratla have been such natural places for the Mangral Rajput. High places also offer a natural advantage against invading forces. The village of Bratla is located at a high point on a steep plateau, at the top of which have been the traditional homes of the Rajput. The word Bratla is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Barra-tilla' meaning the 'highest point'.

Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan

Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan was assassinated on the orders of the Hindu Dogra rulers of Kashmir. The Sikh assassin who was promised a gold bangle as a reward lay in wait as Raja Qadir Baksh Khan descended on horseback from the hilltop village of Bratla. On reaching the bottom of the hill, Raja Qadir Baksh Khan dismounted from his horse at which point the assassin who had been hiding sprang from behind and beheaded him with a single strike from his sword. The assassin ran but did not manage to get very far let alone take reward of the gold bangle before he was tracked down by the Mangral men of Bratla. A spear was thrown at him from a height and a distance of about 100ft which cut his arm off at the shoulder. He was then cut to pieces and his flesh wrapped in rags was brought back to Bratla and fed to the village dogs. Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan lies in a Martyr's (unmade) grave at the highest point at the top of Bratla Village. The place of assassination at the foot of the hill is marked by the placing of a giant boulder.

Raja Baz Khan and Bahawalpur

Raja Baz Khan of Bratla was Chief of Military and Vizier for the Nawab of Bahawlpur, Mohammed Bahawal Khan IV who died in 1866 of suspected poisoning. The Nawab was succeeded by his four year old son Sadeq Mohammed Khan IV. The Mangrals of Bratla led by Raja Baz Khan then administered the state of Bahawalpur and protected the young Nawab during his minority. At any stage the Mangrals could have easily taken complete control of the state. However, being honourable men and true to their word they protected the young Nawab when he was at his most vulnerable.

Raja Baz Khan built a fort in Bratla which is a replica of the fort he maintained in Bahawlpur. The remains of the Bratla fort still exist.

The Jamia mosque in Bratla was built by Raja Baz Khan and is a replica of the famous Jamia Masjid Bahawalpur state.

Raja Baz Khan was married to Baaqra Begum the daughter of Raja Madat Khan and died in Bahawlpur without issue, a sudden and mysterious death. He lies buried in Bratla alongside Baaqra Begum and his second wife.

Raja Madat Khan

Raja Madat Khan the son of Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan was the tribal chief of Bratla and the founder of the village of Koi. The name Koi is derived from the Pohari word for 'snatched' and refers to the circumstances under which the land now known as Koi was seized from a rival clan by the mangral men of Bratla under the leadership of Raja Madat Khan. A dispute had arisen as to where the boundary of Bratla lay with reference to the river Mool. Raja Madat Khan claimed that the boundary lay to the opposite side of the Mool whereas the rival clan claimed that in fact their boundary lay on the Bratla side of the river. The importance lay in the fact that the location of the boundary decided who had control of the river which was of course an important asset. The dispute resulted in hostilities and a battle in which the rival clan was driven from the land and the captured land now known as 'Koi' was controlled by Raja Madat Khan.

Under the leadership of Raja Madat Khan, Bratla saw great prosperity. It is reported that during the time of Raja Madat Khan such was the abundance that the men of Bratla took to putting milk in their hookas (shisha pipes) rather than the customary water.

In one particular battle in Bratla the Dogras brought one of their biggest and strongest men to fight Raja Madat Khan. However, during the fighting this man hid in a tall tree at the top of Bratla village. Raja Madat Khan shot him in the eye with an arrow. It was only when he fell out of the tree stone dead that the men of Bratla could appreciate the size of him. He was close to 7ft tall and the largest man they had ever seen.

It is reported that Raja Madat Khan typically had a bodyguard of 50-70 men on horseback that accompanied him.

Village Koi, District Kotli

Waterfalls on the river Mhool running through Village Koi, Near Bratla in District Kotli, Azad Kashmir.

This is close to where the famous battle of Dabrian took place. A few heavily armed Dogra soldiers managed to escape to Jammu by following the path of the river Mhool.

HE IT IS who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has traced out for you ways of livelihood thereon, and who sends down waters from the sky: and by this means We bring forth various kinds of plants. Eat, then, of this produce of the soil, and pasture your cattle thereon.
In all this, behold, there are messages indeed for those who are endowed with reason: out of this earth have We created you, and into it shall We return you, and out of it shall We bring you forth once again.

- From the Message of the Quran translated and Explained by Muhammad Asad Pakistan's first Ambassador to the United Nations and a Jewish convert to Islam)

Raja Ali Mardan Khan

Raja Ali Mardan Khan was famous for his incredible physical strength and in his time was reputed to be the strongest man in the whole of Jammu & Kashmir. He took part in and won many weight-lifting and wrestling competitions. In one particular weight lifting competition the Dogras could find no match for Raja Ali Mardan Khan and so resorted to calling in a famous Sikh strongman from the Punjab. Knowing that their man was still likely to lose they added extra bajri (shingle) to the weights of Ali Mardan. Despite this he succeeded in lifting the weight and winning the competition much to the amazement of the Dogra's as they had never before seen such physical strength.

It is reported that Raja Ali Mardan Khan once tore the ears off a pair of bandits with his bare hands. Having subdued them and torn off an ear from each of them he paid them a sum of money as compensation.

For many years later these bandits worked as porters in the markets of Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi and when people asked what had become of their ears they would relate their encounter with Raja Ali Mardan Khan of Bratla.

Mangrals and the Pakistan Movement

The Mangrals were instrumental in the Pakistan movement and were a huge contribution in the struggle to free Kashmir from Dogra rule. It is noted that the Mangrals of Kotli Mangrallan together with the Gakkar of Mirpur rose up in revolt against the Dogra forces of Gulab Singh. Furthermore, the Mangral, led by Colonel Mahmood chased the Dogra forces out of Throtchi Fort and defeated them in a historic Battle at Dabrian which was a key battle in the freeing of Azad Kashmir from Dogra rule. Similarly Raja Sakhi Daler khan played an active role in liberating this area from Dogra army.

Lachmi Pattan freed and Renamed as Azad Pattan

The Mangral led by Raja Sakhi Daler Khan defeated the Dogra forces at Lachmi Pattan which was renamed as Azad Pattan.

General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan Mangral

File:Raja Sakhi Daler Khan.jpg

General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan Mangral was a leader of Muslim forces that overthrew the Dogras and liberated Azad Kashmir. He is especially remembered for his efforts in Kotli and Rajouri.

Raja Sakhi Daler Khan was born in the village of Sarsawa, Kotli Mangrallan and was one of the greatest and most celebrated hero's of the war to liberate Kashmir from Dogra rule. The village of Sarsawa was subsequently renamed Sakhi Daler Abad in his honour.

In recognition of his contribution to the freedom struggle the War Council awarded General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan the following honours:

• General
• Fath-e-Kotli (Liberator of Kotli).
• Fakhr-e-Kashmir
• Ghazi-e-Kashmir
• Commander in Chief Tehreek-e-Azaadi
• Chief Convenor Jammu & Kashmir Historical Committee
• Khadam-e-Din

He joined the Indian National Army and was promoted to the rank of Major General. However, sensing his duty for the Liberation of Jammu and Kashmir, he resigned from his post with the Army and joined The Muslim League on June 6, 1946. Following a meeting with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah he went to visit the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Ram Chandra Kak and Maharaja Hari Singh to get their views on Kashmir joining with Pakistan in accordance with the wishes of the people as laid out in the British proposal for post-Independence India and Pakistan. Reporting back to Quaid-e-Azam at his residence at Aurang Zaib Road, Delhi in 1946 it was clear that an alternative plan was needed to liberate Kashmir. Raja Sakhi Daler Khan therefore joined other ex-army officers and established a War Council on September 5, 1947. Following this Raja Sakhi Daler led many battles against the Dogra forces, particularly in Kotli and Rajouri.

Under the leadership of Raja Sakhi Daler Khan the Muslims of Rajouri rose against the Dogra rulers and liberated Rajouri.(PakDef Mag Vol 1 Issue 3). Unfortunately Rajouri was subsequently subject to a heavily armed assault lasting several days by the Fiftieth Parachute Brigade, the Eightieth Brigade and the 19th Brigade of the Indian Army supported by Tanks of the Central Indian Horse. Under such overwhelminglingly superior firepower Rajouri fell on 12 April 1948 and is now part of the Indian Administered Sate of Jammu & Kashmir.

General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan exhibited all of the classical qualities and attributes which Mangrals take pride in. During the 1947 war of liberation some of the fiercest fighting took place in Sehnsa district. In one particular encounter Raja Sakhi Daler came across a Dogra soldier who had been critically injured by artillery fire from the Muslim forces. It was clear that the man could not be saved and did not have long to live. Raja Sakhi Daler asked the man what his dying wish was. He replied: "Sir I have only one wish. To die in the comfort of my own people, knowing that they will take care of my body, ensure my funeral rights according to my religious requirements and let my family know the place and circumstances of my death so they can at least grieve me." Raja Sakhi Daler wrapped the man in a blanket and personally carried him into the camp of the enemy forces. The Dogra commander was amazed to see his own soldier being carried in by one of the enemy. Realising that the man he was facing was no simple soldier he asked Raja Sakhi Daler what his name was. "Raja Sakhi Daler Khan a Mangral Rajput from the village of Sarsawa" came back the reply. The Dogra commander (who was also a rajput) then said: "Sir, today I bear witness in front of all my men that you have indeed lived up to the name your honourable mother has chosen for you. You carry the title of "Raja" meaning that you are of noble descent, from the long and honourable lineage of the Sons of Kings that have ruled our beloved Rajastan since time immemorial. Many a man has been born with this title and yet many more falsely adopt it, purely through their association in the service of true rajputs. Yet few will live even a single day when they can truthfully claim that they have done something in this world to deserve such a title. You are "Sakhi" as you are indeed a true friend and a compassionate helper to the poor and needy. You are "Daler" because you are truelly a brave and fearless fighter. You are "Khan" because you are undoubtedly a true leader of men."

Colonel Raja Mahmood Khan, Throtchi Fort and Dabrian

It is reported that Raja Sakhi Daler Khan defeated a company of the Dogra army at Punjer. This situation forced the Dogra army to rush towards Throtchi Fort near the town of Gulpur. Throtchi Fort was then attacked by local forces led by Colonel Raja Mahmood Khan and Subedar Raja Sher Baz Khan and the Dogra's driven out fleeing to a place called Dabrian near the village of Joona (which is close to the village of Koi as narrated above). The Mangral forces caught up with the Dogra's at Dabrian and a final battle ensued following which most of the Dogra forces were killed. A few heavily armed Dogra's managed to escape to Jammu by following the path of the river Mool.

It was Subedar Raja Sher Baz Khan that donated the land in Bratla for the building of Bratla High School.

Mangrals in the British Army

Mangrals being of Rajput origin and therefore classified by the British as a martial race, readily joined the British Indian army and fought in several famous campaigns. Kotli was in fact a major recruiting ground for the British Indian army. It is estimated that about 80,000 men of consisting of mainly Rajput and Jat(Chaudhry) origins were recruited from Kotli to fight in the Second World War. Some of the campaigns in which Mangrals fought include:

• Cassino Campaign
• War in Burma

Modern Day Mangrals

The last official count of Indian castes was conducted by the British in their census of India of 1931. At the time they recorded 4,500 adult male Mangrals. Taking into account women and children, and the fact that this number would most likely have been understated we estimate that the total Mangral population in 1931 would have been close to 10,000. Based on this and extrapolating we estimate that the global population of Mangrals in 2008 is easily in excess of 100,000. Most of these are still located in Azad Kashmir. However, significant numbers have migrated and today Mangrals are settled in a variety of locations across the globe. Many emigrated to the United Kingdom in the sixties and seventies for economic reasons. In the United Kingdom they originally settled in the Midlands in places like Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent but later dispersed across the country to Lancashire, Yorkshire and the South (London, Luton, St. Albans). There has also been steady migration to the United Kingdom in later years through marriage or work visa and student visa arrangements.

Mangral families are known to be present in the following locations:

• Azad Kashmir: Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, Poonch District, Rawalakot (Trar Dewan), Bagh, Kashmir
• Jammu & Kashmir: Poonch
• Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Murree, Faisalabad , Islamabad (Mohrian) Gujar Khan
• United Kingdom: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Burnley, Bradford, Sheffield, Stoke On Trent, Luton, St. Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Slough, Aylesbury
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
• Bahrain
• United States: New York, Maryland.
• Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur

• Raja Hafiz Ullah Khan and Right Honourable Tony Blair, Prime Minister
  Raja Hafiz Ullah Khan and Right Honourable Tony Blair, Prime Minister
• 
  Raja Hafiz Ullah Khan and Right Honourable Gordon Brown, Prime Minister
• Raja Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Mangral(USA).An authentic Writer of the History of Mangral Rajputs.
  Raja Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Mangral(USA).An authentic Writer of the History of Mangral Rajputs.
• Raja Naseer Ahmed Khan (Sarsawa) Minister for Local Government & Rural Development
  Raja Naseer Ahmed Khan (Sarsawa) Minister for Local Government & Rural Development

Notable Mangral Rajput Personalities

• Raja Daan Khan
• Raja Tatar Khan (Ancestor of all Mangrals of Barali (Fagoosh), Bratla and Throochi Gulpur)
• Raja Qandhar Khan
• Raja Janab Khan
• Raja Muratib Khan (one of his descendants Raja Noor Khan migrated to Mandala Islamabad)
• Raja Shah Sawar Khan ( The Last ruler of Kotli Mangralan and descendant from Raja Daan Khan)
• Rani Hashu (The last Rani of Kotli Mangralan)
• Raja Samat Khan (Barali)
• Raja Karmudi Khan (Barali)
• Raja Shadman Khan (Barali)
• Raja Sattar Khan (Barali) (he was the grandson of Raja Tatar Khan and ancestor of Mangrals of Fagoosh).
• Raja Noor Khan (Bratla)(descendant of Raja Tatar Khan)
• Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan (Bratla)
• Raja Mahmood Khan (Bratla)
• Raja Sharf Ali Khan (Bratla)
• Raja Madat Khan (Bratla)
• Raja Ali Mardan Khan (Bratla)
• Raja Baz Khan (Bratla) Vizier and interim ruler of Bahalwalpur State
• General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan (Sarasawa)
• Colonel Raja Mehmood Khan of Gulpur (Of Dabrian fame and a national hero of Pakistan)
• Haji Raja Muhammad Maqbool Mangral President of Mangral Rajput Welfare Association, Rawalpindi
• Master Raja Muhammad Shafi Khan(Master Shafi Paravia) was a reader and secretary to Dogra Assambly Member from Mehndar Poonch Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Karelvi. He established the first primary class at Dattot (Shamsabad ) which is now a College and he was a teacher to Sardar Master Hafiz Khan of Gaala and Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan. Also, he joined the British Army and fought in World War II. During the freedom struggle he trained many Mujahids to fight the Dogra's)
• Subedar Raja Sher Baz Khan (Bratla) (Fought against the Dogra's at Throtchi and Dabrian. Donated the land for the building of Bratla High School)
• Lieutenant Raja Karam Dad Khan of Garruhtta, Tehsil Sehnsa (Buried at Keri Garruhtta. He had two sons: Raja Mohammed Saleem Khan and Raja Mohammed Nawas Mangral)
• Subedar Raja Mohammed Wazir Khan (Chichlar, Sehnsa) fought alongside Raja Sakhi Daler Khan and Lieutenant Raja Karam Dad Khan in the war of independence
• Raja Mohammed Aslam Khan Advocate MLA of Bratla (Minister)Senior Generous Figure in ajk & pakistan
• Brigadier Raja Zia Ul Hasnain from Faisalabad
• Brigadier Raja Muhammed Akbar Khan (Maneel,Fagosh) He was the Chairman of the Mirpur Development Autority (MDA) which built modern day Mirpur.
• Naib Subedar Raja Walidad Khan (Maneel,Fagosh) Ex Soldier British Indian Army also Elder Brother of Brigadier Raja Muhammed Akbar Khan.
• Major Raja Alif Khan (Fateh Pur.MAJOR in British army)
• Sub-Inspector(Ret) Raja Riasat Khan (Fateh Pur)
• Raja Muhammad Saddique Advocate (Mirpur AJK. Was a judge in Supreme court Azad Kashmir)
• Raja Mohammad Ilyas (Woking, Surrey.Cllr for Labour Party From 1996-2004)
• Raja Fazal Dad Khan (Minister)
• Raja Akbar Khan (Sehr Mondi) (Collector of Taxes)
• Raja Naseer Ahmed Khan (Sarasawa) Minister for Local Government & Rural Development
• Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan (Khuiratta) One of the longest serving ministers in AJK Government. Has held posts of Finance Minister and Law Minister
• Raja Majeed (Law Secretary)Sehr Mondi
• Raja Mehmood Chairman Sehr Mondi
• Raja Matloob Inqalabi (Sehr Mondi) (Advocate and District Leader of PPP)
• Raja Azeem Khan of Fagoush Barali (Commissioner)
• Raja Abdul Kareem (Kotli City). He is the descendant of Raja Nasar Khan who was the brother of Raja Shah Sawar Khan[7]
• Raja Riasat (Kotli City). Muslim Conference, Chairman Zakat Committee
• Professor Raja Matloob Khan (Bratla). Former Principal of Kotli College
• Raja Mohammed Isaq Khan Mangral (Fagoosh). Prominent Manchester Businessman. Chairman of Davenport Green Hall. Davenport Green Hall
• Raja Hafiz Ullah Khan (Koi, Bratla). Prominent London Businessman. Chairman of Quadreen Plc. Quadreen Plc
• Raja Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Mangral (Maryland, USA). An authentic writer of Mangral history.
• Raja Nazir Ahmad Khan Mungral, Shakrial Rawalpindi ArtMax Private Limited
• Raja Swar Khan, of Chajana Murree
• Raja Haq Nawaz Khan of Galhotian, Sehensa, AJK
• Namardar Raja Muhammad Iqbal Khan, of UK
• Raja Abdul Rashid Khan (Namb Jagir) son on Sherdil Khan
• Raja Zari Khan, of Khanpur (Gujar Khan)
• Raja Qamar Zaman, of Khanpur (Gujar Khan)
• Raja Arif Khan (Burnley UK, Councillor and retired Justice of Peace)
• Raja Mohammed Arif (Chichlar, Sehnsa and Justice of Peace in Luton, UK)
• Raja Zia Ullah Khan (Koi, Bratla). Senior Partner E.C. Brown & Batts Chartered Accountants. E.C. Brown & Batts
• Raja Qurban Hussain (former Lord Mayor of Sheffield)
• Raja Mohammed Idris (Conservative Councillor and Chair Conservative Islamic Forum, Northwest England)

The Lineage Of Mangral Rajputs of KOTLI MANGRALAN

By Raja Sarfraz A Mangral (USA)             Raja Burj Pal
                                                 |
                                            Raja Chhatar Pal
                                                 |
                                            Raja Aori Pal
                                       __________|_________
                                       |                  |
                                 Raja Hani Dev        Raja Nirmal Dev
                                        |
                               * Raja Mangar Pal( The ancestor Of Mangral Rajputs)
                                        |
                                 Raja Hindu Dev
                                        |
                                *Raja Sehns Pal( Converted To Islam)
             ____________________________|_________________________________ 
            |                |             |              |               |
     Raja Daan Khan   Raja Tatar Khan  Raja Qandhar Khan Raja Janib Khan Raja Muratab Khan
            |                |         
     Raja pareetam Khan 
            |
     Raja Sara Khan
            |
     Raja Musahb Khan
        _____|___________________________________________
        |                   |                      |
     Rai Gagar Khan        Raja Sawa Khan        Raja Autam Khan 

-->

Mangrals of Punjab

There three Mangral villages in Kahuta Tehsil of Rawalpindi District, namely Galli, Marigala Mangral and Nandna Mangral.

References

• (In the Free Homeland (Azad Kashmir) Part 1: (translation of the hand-written account of Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan, Military Cross, Fakhar-e-Kashmir, during his imprisonment and confinement in the last stages of his life)
• (Treaty of Amritsar, 16 March 1846)
• History Of Mangral Rajputs of Kotli Mangralan By Raja Sarfraz Mangral USA..
• Tareek Mangral By the famous writer and historian Anjum Sultan Shabaz
• The Bleeding Kashmir By Major Iqbal Hashmi,Published by Royal Book Co., 1993 Original from the University of Michigan
• A Hand Book on Azad Jammu & Kashmir, By Pirzada Irshad Ahmad Published by Nawab Sons Publication, 2003 Original from the University of Michigan.
• [Punjabi Musalmans] By Lt.Col.J.M Wikeley (Mangral- Second Edition Page No.126)
• Events at the court of Ranjit Singh. 1810-1817
• [Kashmir Fight For Freedom] By Yousaf Saraf

See also

• Rajput
• Rajput clans
• History of Rajputs
• Muslim Rajputs
• List of Muslim warriors

External links

• Mangral Rajput of Kotli Mangralan!
• Raja Sehns Pal Khan Mangral YouTube 1 of 3
• Raja Sehns Pal Khan Mangral YouTube 2 of 3
• Raja Sehns Pal Khan Mangral YouTube 3 of 3