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Jat Clan: Malhi
Distribution	Punjab (Pakistan) and Punjab (India)
Descended from:	Kshatryas
Branches:	None
Religion	Islam and Sikhism
Languages	Punjabi
Surnames:	Malhi

The Malhi is a Jat Gotra or clan from the North Indian state of Punjab and Pakistani Punjab,Earlier based in the region around Sialkot (now in West Punjab, Pakistan), the Malhis were mostly rich landlords.

History & Origin

One of the earliest Jat clans, the majority of Malhis migrated to Indian Punjab during the Partition of India in 1947. It is believed that there were twelve villages of the Malhi clan in the undivided Punjab between 1850-60 during British Rule. One such village is Kotli Soorat Malhi, a village in Gurdaspur District. ^[1]

From a historical standpoint, the Malhi clan is most famous for its association with the death of Alexander the Great. One of the theories concerning Alexander the Great's death has to do with the possibility of an infection of an arrow wound he suffered two years before his actual death in Persia, during a sally against a Mahli fortified town.

The clan is mostly found around Baddomalhi, in the Raya tehsil. They trace their descent from Ram Chanderji of Surajbhansi family. In loyalty they are reported upon as second to none. The people of this clan are also found in 12 or 13 villages round about Badiana, a village midway between Pasrur and Sialkot. One of the rising families in this tract is that of Risaldar Pal Singh of Bathe, of the late 25th Cavalry.Risaldar Pal Singh of Bathe village had a son called Iqbal Singh who was educated and rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Montgomery District before partition. The British Govt bestowed the honour of "Sardar Bahadur" on him for his excellent work done in the Punjab.This martial tradition of the family is still continuing. The grandsons of Sardar Bahadur Sardar Iqbal Singh are well known personalities in the Indian Defence Forces. Major General G S MALHI joined the 7th Cavalry and Vice Admiral H S MALHI joined the Indian Navy

Ancient writers such as Diodorus, Arrian and Strabo tell us that during Alexander's invasion of Punjab, the area around Multan, an ancient city now in Pakistan, was occupied by Malli (Malhi) people. Thus, as per Professor McCrindle, "The Malloi (Malli or Malhi) occupied the district situated between the lower Akesines (modern Chenab river), and the Hydraotes (modern Sutlej river), which in Alexander's time joined the former river below Multan-a city which owes its name to the Malloi (Malli)". Even today Malli or Malhi Jats exist in Punjab. The present Member of Canadian Parliament, G.S. Malhi, also belongs to this Jat clan.

There is an opinion that "Multan" is the shorter version of the word "Malli-stan". The word "Stan" or "Sthan" in Sanskrit (ancient language of the Hindus) means place. Thus, Mallistan or Multan means a place where Malli live. The very same analogy is applicable for the Hindi (national language of India) word "Hindustan" for India. This word is composed of two words Hindu and Stan or Sthan, thus the word Hindustan means a place where Hindus live. Imdad Ali Mallhi is a prominant figure of Shahkot, Distt. Nankanasahib, Pakistan. He is wellknown for his politics and represent the Muslim cummunity throught out Pakistan. He struggeled for their rights in his whole life.

Famous Persons

  chaudhry Imdad Ali Mallhi

References

^ Extract From the book *Handbook on Sikhs, by Major A. E. Barstow, 2/11 Sikh Regiment (late 15th Ludhiana Sikhs ). Written in 1899 and later revised at the request of the Govt of India in 1928.

[1] Extract From the book *Handbook on Sikhs, by Major A. E. Barstow, 2/11 Sikh Regiment (late 15th Ludhiana Sikhs ). Written in 1899 and later revised at the request of the Govt of India in 1928.

[1]