Deol

Deol (Punjabi: بٹر) is a warrior clan of the Jat people found in India Punjab, Haryana, Saharanpur UP (India) and Pakistan. Deols are mostly Sikh Jats. Deol is the alternate name of the place 'Diraval' after which the gotra Deol gets the name.

They are primarily from the villages Boparai Kalan,Benra, Paani, Khandoor, Sahnewal, Chak, Dangon, and some parts of Raikot in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, Haripur (near Adampur Doaba), Khichipur, Narangpur, Mesumpur, Bagga Kalan & Talwandi are also Deol villages In Jalandhar district. Most of the Deol jat population is found in the district of Jalandhar,Sangrur, Ludhiana and in other districts in the Malwa region of Punjab. Some Deol families moved to west Punjab during 1910-20. They participated in the reform movement for liberation of Gurdwara from clutches of mahants and some of them became martyrs.

Sub-Clans of Deols

Deols were once known for being one of the largest jat clans in the early 1800's,but the clan was divided into five more sub-clans such as Boparai, Buttar, Sekhon, Rakkar, and Deo Jat. Many of these clans can be found mostly in the Malwa areas of Ludhiana, Moga, and Faridkot. On the other hand the Rakkar clan can be only found in the Doaba area mainly Jalandhar along with dozens of Deol villages surrounding Rakkar villages which share a bound with one another of background,and family linege.

Deols During British Era

During the British era the Deol clan was heavily involved in the army as well in the second world war. Next, many Deols from the area of Talwandi fought and died for the freedom of India and did not want to be slaves under British rule. There is also a small memorial in the village Chak in district of Ludhiana for the Deols of that village who died for the country every independence day people from all over come visit and give their respects. Many Doaba Deols are known to have reached high peaks during the Sikh militant years. Mostly all of the Doaba Deol villages were pro-Khalistani and beileve to be still active not in India, but also in England and Califorina.

Deols of Lahore

Before partition Deols had 7 villages in west punjab now suitited in Pakistan. The 7 villages were all comparised together in the district of Lahore. Many of the Deol Sikhs made it over to east punjab during the partition,but the village names still remain the same. The population of Deols in west Punjab during the 1920 era were about 10,500. In east punjab the Deols were about 65,343.

Villages

Deol Kalan

A medium sized village in Pakistan district Lahore. The Deols's from this village were known to be brave and great fighters. Many of them made it to India during partition, but some stayed back because they wanted to keep their rich land and property.

Chak

Chak is a Deol village located on the east side of Ludhiana district. Chak is a very old village which contains rich history of the Sikh religion. There are many chak villages around indian Punjab and Pakistan. These villages use to contain numbers so that the British can easily know what the village is. The number for this village was 135, but now the residents refer to it as just chak. The village has been threw many religious violence and politic issues. During 1947 partition there was a mixed population of Sikhs and Muslims. After the partition there are only Sikhs occupying the village. Many of the families are resided in Canada, and England. The population of Chak village is 15,678 and the current sarpanch is Sardar Dilwar Singh Deol.

Mesumpur village

Mesumpur is a small Deol village located in Jalandhar district close to Adampur city. It is a known village for the assissantion of Chamkila and his wife on March 1988 by Sikh militants. The population of the village is 6.254, and the current sarpanch is Baldev Singh Deol.

Boparai Kalan

Boparai Kalan is known to be one of the largest Deol villages in Punjab. It is found in the Ludhiana district. Many people from that village participated religious wars and gave up their lives. At the times of Sant Sundar Singh Ji Bhindrawala and Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindrawala, Boparai Kalan was the center of Damdami Taksal activities. Gurudwara Sachkhad was built by Brahm Gianni Sant Sundar Singh Ji and acting as a school for relegious studies, till date it has produced countless number of Granthis, Katha Vacahak and relegious preachers as well as the Takhat Jathadars. This village is famous for its past doctors and teachers. Dr. Hira Singh Deol was famous doctor with english army and later on he served this area. Dr. Harbhajan Singh Deol was member of PSEB. The population of Boparai Kalan was 3,712 and the area in hectares is 1007 in the 1991 census. Deols from this village are settled in large amounts in Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. They are around 100 families from this village in USA especially in California. This is one of the greatest village of Ludhiana district. The 2008 population of Boparai Kalan is 4000 making it the one of the largest population of a village after Jagraon.

Talwandi

Talwandi is located in Jalandhar, the main railway station is Khurdpur 3 km away. Talwandi is village of martyrs because 80% of the population was strongly involved in the army and still are. The population of the village is close to 14,151 and has about 274 area in hectares.

Dangon

Dangon is a predominently Deol village of Ludhiana district located on Pakhowal road about 25 kilometres from Ludhiana city. During the late 80's Sikh militants had a strong hold in Dangon. Everyday incidents such as, robberies, kidnaping, assissantions of leaders, and killing of Hindus were increasing in the Dangon/Pakhowal area. Around 1989 a lot of residents went off to Canada, and United States for a better and safe future. The population is 14,750, and the village contains large amounts of land.

Benra

Benra is located 10km from Sangrur city near Dhuri on Delhi-Amritsar GT road.Mainly deol families are residents here having population of 3000 and total land apporoximately 1010 hectares.This village is famous for Kabbadi. Many families of this village are settled in Canada, America and England.

Haripur

Haripur is another Deol village located in Doaba and is named after Hari Singh Nalwa the great Sikh warrior. People of Haripur are mostly settled in aboard in Canada, USA and England. The total population (1991)was 18,251. Haripur has greatly participated in the freedom movement of India. Babbar Karam Singh Saheed (Babbar Akali Movement)belongs to Haripur. Dr. Rupinder Singh, a student of PAU, also belongs Haripur who was killed in Hans Kalan during Khalistan movement.

Khandoor

Khandoor is near the well-known village Sarabha. The nearest main road is Raikot and the nearest railway station is in Mullanpur. This Deol village is known as a very old village with ancient history such as Guru Hargobind Ji visiting there, because of this act the Khandoor residents made a Gurdwara on his behalf. Khandoor has two main Gurdwaras making the residents there very religious. They have also participated in large numbers in Maharaja Ranjit Singhs army. During the early 1980s they were involved strongly in the Khalistan movement, but decreased during military action. Also the population is about 6,817 and has about 793 per hectares during the 1991 census. Many of the residents are wealthy land owners. Many people from this village are now residents of Toronto and Vancouver. In Toronto there are 25 families who have started to celebrate the a Khandoor picnic and in Vancouver there are about 12 families. The 2008 population of Khandoor is 14,232 but many of the residents live in the city and in other states of India.

Khichipur

Khichipur is a Deol village in Doaba which is close to Haripur near Adampur Doaba. All Jat families of Khichipur are originally from Haripur. The population of the village is around 10,000 during 1991 census. Some Deol families moved to west Punjab during 1910-20. They participated in the reform movement for liberation of Gurdwara Nankana Sahib from clutches of mahants and some of them became martyrs. The village Gurdwara is in the memory of the martyars of Nankana Sahib.Most of the residents are settled in England, Canada and the USA.

Deols Today

Today Deols have resided in many other countries around the world but most of are found in countries such as Canada, America, Australia, and UK. In India they are not only found in the Punjab area but also in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. Deols that have resided in other countries other than India and have comfortably adapted to the different environments.

Notable persons of the Deol clan

• Dharmendra
• Sunny Deol
• Bobby Deol
• Abhay Deol
• Esha Deol
• Monika Deol
• Sonia Deol
• Ranjeev Deol
• Henna Deol

References

Jasdeep Deol