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Punjabi Rajputs

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File:Iftikhar muhammad chaudhry.jpg
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry the Justice of Supreme Court. he belongs to Ghorewaha clan of Rajput.

Muslim Punjabi Rajput are highly dominant and renowned royal warriors of Punjab. They have been referred to as the most Valiant Warriors of Punjab. Their warlike nature and dominant rule of their kingdoms against other tribes earned them a powerful reputation in Punjab.

Under the British Raj of India, they were designated as a Martial Race [1] and provided strong numbers to the British Indian Army and fought in both World Wars.

The Punjabi Rajput tribes possesses a strong Martial Reputation, and has produced many highly decorated and award winning Military Generals and Officers to the Pakistan Army and Indian Army.

Geography

File:Punjabadmin.jpg
Punjab province of Pakistan

Punjab is Pakistan's second largest province at 205,344 km² (79,284 Square miles) after Balochistan and is located at the eastern edge of the Iranian Plateau and the northwestern edge of the geologic Indian plate in South Asia. The provincial level-capital and main city of the Punjab is Lahore which has been the historical capital of the region. Other important cities include Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi. The province along is home to six rivers: the Indus, Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi. Nearly 60% of Pakistan's population lives in the Punjab. The population of the province is estimated to be 86,084,000 in 2005 and is home to over half the population of Pakistan. The major language spoken in the Punjab is Punjabi (which is written in a Perso-Arabic script in Pakistan) and Punjabis comprise the largest ethnic group. The most important tribes within Punjab include the Rajputs, the Jats, the Gujjars, the Khatri, the Dogar etc.

Punjabi Rajput are vast holding landlords of Punjab. The members of Punjabi Rajput tribes are landowners, businessmen and they play an active role in politics and bureaucracy. In 1947,during the partition of India, almost all the Punjabi Rajput found in India moved to Pakistan.

Politics

Feroz Khan Noon the 7th Prime Minister of Pakistan
Feroz Khan Noon the 7th Prime Minister of Pakistan

Chaudhry Aurangzeb Khan of Chakwal was a famous Minhas Rajput during the British era. In 1892 C.E he was given the title of Khan Bahadur for his services in establishing the town of Lyallpur (now Faislabad). He was also conferred upon the title of 'Raja sahib' as a mark of hereditary distinction by Qaiser-e-Hind, His Majesty, King George V.

Raja Muhammed Sarfraz Khan (MLA 1929-58) played an important role in the local politics during Pakistan Movement. He was also instrumental in the educational progress of the region, and gave generous donations to set up schools and the Government College, Chakwal in 1949.

Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana came from a family which had, since the 15th century, been prominent among the landed aristocracy of the Punjab. Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana was born in 1900 and died in 1975. Tiwana then assisted his father in the management of family estates in the Punjab, taking responsibility for them while his father was in London, 1929-1934. He was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1937 and immediately joined the cabinet of Sir Sikander Hyat Khan, who had successfully led the Unionist Muslim League in the election, as Minister of Public Works. Tiwana remained in this post until 1942, succeeding Sir Sikander as Prime Minister to the Punjab from 1942 until 1947.

Feroz Khan Noon, KCSI, KCIE, Kt (1893-1970) was a politician from Pakistan. Noon was Chief Minister of the Punjab province from 1953 to 1956, after which he became Foreign Minister of Pakistan until 1957. On December 16, 1957 he was elected as the seventh Prime Minister of Pakistan. He held this post until October 7, 1958.

Mian Mumtaz Daultana was the 2nd Chief Minister of Punjab from April 15, 1951 until April 3, 1953. He belonged to the Daultana clan of the Johiya‎ Rajput caste, settled in Punjab, Pakistan.

Manzoor Wattoo was the head of Pakistan Muslim League (Jinnah) political party in Punjab. He was first elected, in 1985, the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, the largest province of Pakistan. Thrice elected for the same office, he secured the office of the Chief Minister of Punjab in 1993 on the PML (Junejo).

Martial traditions

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General Muhammed Akbar Khan belonged to the famous Mair Minhas Rajput tribe of Chakwal

The Punjabi Rajputs has a long martial tradition which has continued into modern times. Punjabi Rajputs, being recognised in history as the warrior aristocracy, prior to this they were designated by the British Empire as a Martial Race and recruited into the Imperial Army. Muslim Rajputs naturally engaged in the Pakistani military in strong numbers, reaching ranks of Generals and the highest grade of Chief of Staff such as 7th Chief of Army Staff General Tikka Khan, Narma, Rajput and the 10th Chief of Army Satff General Asif Nawaz Khan Janjua.

Some of the most respected officers of the Pakistan Army including its first General, PA 1, Muhammed Akbar Khan(Order of the British Empire), PA 2 General Muhammad Iftikhar Khan(designated to become the first C-in-C, but died in an aircrash), PA 12 Brig.General Muhammed Zafar(first Indian to become Commander of Cavalary) and PA 48 General Muhammad Anwar Khan (Pakistan's first E-in-C) all hail from this clan. General Anwar is considered the father of Pakistan's Corps of Engineers, and also served as Chairman OGDC.

Top military awards

Daily Mirror Khudadad Khan was awarded Victoria Cross, the first native Indian to receive this honour

Members of Punjabi Rajput tribes have the honour of receiving top military awards both in British India and in Pakistan. Khudadad Khan VC (20 October 1888 – 8 March 1971) was the first Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first native-born Indian to win the Victoria Cross.

On 31 October 1914, at Hollebeke, Belgium, 26-year old Khan performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.

Nishan-e-Haider

Five out of ten belongs to Punjabi Rajput clans was awarded Pakistan's top military honour, the Nishan-E-Haider .

Royal Titles used by the Punjabi Rajputs

Majority of Punjabi Rajputs use their ancient Royal titles such as Raja, Rana, Rao and Rai. All these titles are originated from the ancient Sanskrit word Rajanya.

Many Punjabi Rajputs were also conferred titles by the Delhi Sultans and the Mughal Emperors such as Malik (Royal, King), Nawab ( Provincial Governor), Sirdar (Chief), Khan, Chaudhry, Mian, Mirza (Royal prince) and Sheikh (elder of the tribe).

Most members of the Punjabi Rajput clans use the title 'Raja' as this title was used by most of the Rajput rulers from ancient times.

Rana is a princely title of Royalty. Muslim Rajputs in Pakistan mainly in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and Sialkot use the title of Rana.

The majority of Raos in Pakistan are Muslim Punwar (Pawar) Rajputs. Raos can be found all across Pakistan and are found in large numbers in the Punjab Province. Raos are the brave people of the country as the majority of Raos are in Army forces of Pakistan.

Rai was a title of honor for certain Rajput rulers. The title today is found mostly in the Pakistani province of Punjab.

This title was conferred upon the Muslim Minhas Rajputs of Dhanni(present day Chakwal) by the Mughal King, Zaheerudin Babur. However, during Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's era, the title lost its exclusivity as the Maharaja gave this title to all the village-heads around Punjab. Ever since, the Chaudhrys of Chakwal style themselves as Chaudhrials to distinguish themselves from the newly appointed men.

This title is manily used by the Sikh Minhas Rajputs. However, lately some Muslim Minhas Rajput clans in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab Sialkot & Chakwal have also started using this title due to various reasons.

Many Rajput clans had converted to Islam during the early 12th century and were given the honorary title of Sheikh (elder of the tribe) by their arab rulers.Sheiukh rajputs were the earliest in Rajputs to embrace Islam.


Mulsim Mair Minhas Rajput use the title of Khan. Raja Bhagir Dev was named Muhammed Mair after conversion to Islam and his descendants as Mair-Minhas Rajputs. Most of Muslim Mair Minhas use the title of Khan.

This title was conferred upon the 'Punjab Hill Chiefs' by the Mughal King, Jhangir and was used by most of the Rajput tribes in the Punjab Hills for many centuries. The elder brother was called Raja, whereas his younger brothers were called Mian. Lately, the Rajputs have decided to use 'Thakur' instead of this Mughal title.

Major Punjabi Rajput clans of Pakistan

The Hon. Major General Nawab Malik Umar Hayat Khan as an Honorary Lieutenant of the 18th King George's Own Lancers, early 20th century (watercolour by Major A.C. Lovett (1862-1919)

Here is a brief description of the major Punjabi Rajput clans:

Alpial

The Alpial clan is found mainly in Fateh Jang Tehsil of Attock District. The Alpial are a clan of the Manj Rajputs. The Alpials use the title Chawdhary.

Baghela

The Baghela are a Suryavanshi clan of Rajputs. In Punjab, they occupy a few villages in Kamalia. The use the title Mehr.

Baghial

The Baghial clan is found mainly in Rawalpindi District. They are a clan of the Parmara Rajputs. The use the title Raja.

Bais

The Bais or more so pronounced Bhains in the local Punjabi are a clan Suryavanshi Rajputs. They are found normally in the northern areas of both sides of Punjab.

Bangial

The Bangial are tribe found mainly in the Potohar region of Punjab and also in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir . Those of Rawalpindi District consider themselves Rajputs, while those in Jhelum and Gujrat consider themselves as Jats. This not uncommon in the Potohar region. The Rajput branch uses the title Raja. In addition to those in the Potohar region, the Bangial tribe is also found in Thal desert, especially Darya Khan in Bhakkar District. These use the title Malik. The Bangial are a clan of the Parmara Rajputs.

Bargujar

There are two Muslim branches of the Bargujar clan, one of which was found in the Gurgaon District, in modern Haryana. After the partition of India in 1947, these Bargujar settled in Okara and Sahiwal District. They use the title Rao. Another Muslim branch, which remains in India are the Lalkhanis of Aligarh District in Uttar Pradesh, to which belongs the famous family of the Nawabs of Chathari.

Bhachar

The Bhachar are a clan of Khokhar Rajputs, found mainly in in and around the town of Wan Bhachran in Mianwali District. They use the title Malik.

Bhakral

The Bhakral are found in the Potohar region, in Jhelum and Rawalpindi Districts. They claim to be a clan of the Parmara Rajputs. Like all Potohar Rajputs, they use the title Raja.

Bhao

The Bhao are found in Gujrat District of Punjab,and Bhimber District of Azad Kashmir. The Bhao are Dogras, and are a clan of the Raghbansi Rajputs. Like the Chibs, whom they closely resemble, the use Raja as title.

Bharat

The Bharat are a Suryavanshi Rajput clan. They are found in Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil of Jhelum District. Some historians consider them to last remnants of the ancient clan of the Bharatas, the clan of the Pandav. They use the title Raja.

Bhatti

The largest Rajput tribe in the Punjab, found in every district of that province. They are a Chandravanshi clan, claim descent from Krishna. Prior to thepartition of India, the Bhatti were found in almost all the districts of the British province, barring the extreme south east. Many other clans such as the Sidhu Jats, among other claim Bhatti descent. Those of Potohar use the title Raja, those from Jallandhar and Ludhiana use the title Rai, while those of Pindi Bhattian use the title Chawdhary.

Bhutta

Found in south west Punjab, especially atround Multan, the Bhutta are a Suryavanshi clan. They use the title Malik. They should not be confused with the Bhutta clan of the Arain tribe, which is entirely distinct.

Chadhar

The Chadhar are a Parmara clan, and found through out southern Punjab. The Jhang Chadhars call themselves Rajputs, and use the title Malik. But the Chadhars of Gujranwala, Sargodha and Jhelum consider themselves to be Jat.

Chauhan

The Chauhan are a widespread clan, and together with Parmar, come from the Agnivanshi branch of the Rajputs. The Chauhans were also one of the main clans of the old Punjab, who had almost entirely converted to Islam. There were only a fewHindu villages left in the Gurgaon District.

The Chauhans of the Potohar region, where they are found in Attock, Rawalpindi and Jhelum use the title Raja. The Chauhans of Lahore, as well as those once settled in Amritsar and Jallandhar use the title Rana. The Chauhans are formed the main element of the Ranghar of Haryana. Like other Haryana Muslims, they emigrated to Pakistan. They use the title Rao.

Chattar

A very small population of Chattaris is found in Pakistani Punjab and Azad Kashmir.After embracing Islam Chattar use the title of Sheikh,Malik or Raja.Chattars of Jammu region are classified as Dogra Rajputs.

Chib

The Chib are a clan of the Katoch Rajputs of Kangra, and are Dogras. They are found in the Kharian Tehsil of Gujrat District, and just above Jhelum city in the Jhelum District. Like other Rajputs of the region, they use Raja as their title.


Dhamial Rajputs

The Dhamial are a clan of the Janjua Rajputs. They are found mainly in Rawalpindi District, a few families are also found in Jhelum. Like other Potohar tribes, they have both Rajput and Jat section. The Dhamial of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir are Jats.

Dhudhi

The Dhudhi are a clan of Parmara Rajputs. They are found mainly in Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Multan and Khanewal districts. Like other Rajput clans of southern Punjab, they use Malik as a title.

Ghorewaha

Perhaps the largest of the central Punjab clans, found historically in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Ludhiana districts. They are a clan of the Kachwaha Rajputs. After the division of the Punjab, in 1947, they all migrated to Pakistan. However, a the Hindu branch of the tribe is still found in Hoshiarpur. They are now found mainly in Faisalabad District and use the title Rana.

Hon Rajputs

The Hon or Hoon are a branch of the Parmara Rajputs. Found mainly in the Kahuta Tehsil of Rawalpindi District. Like other Potohar Rajputs, they use the title Raja.

Jalap

The Jalap are a clan of Khokhar Rajputs, found in Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil of Jhelum District. They use the title Raja.

Janjua

One of the most important of the Potohar Rajput clans. They are found in Jhelum, Chakwal, Khushab and Rawalpindi Districts. They generally use the title Raja, but certain families have the additional title of Sultan.

Jarral

In Punjab, the Jaral are found in Wazirabad Tehsil of Gujranwala District. They orignate from Rajauri District of Jammu & Kashmir. Like Bhao and Chib, whom they resemble, they are a Dogra clan. Some use the title Raja, while others uniquely among Rajputs, use the title Mirza.

Jasgam

A Rajput clan found in Gujar Khan , Kotli Sattian and Kallar Syedan tehsils of Rawalpindi District. They use the title Raja.

Jatal

A Bhatti Rajput clan, found in the Kahuta Tehsil of Rawalpindi District. Like other Potohar Rajputs, they use the title Raja.

Jodhra

The pre-eminent Rajput clan of theAttock District, to which belong the Maliks of Pindigheb. They use the title Malik.

Johiya

One of 36 orignal clans of Rajputs, belonging to the Chandravanshi division. Historically found as far east as Sirsa, in what is now Haryana, to Mianwali in the west of Punjab. The Firozpur, Fazilka and Sirsa Johiya use Rana as a title, while the Johiya of southern Punjab and those of Sargodha and Mianwali, use Malik as a title.


Kathia

The Kathia are a clan of the Parmara Rajputs. They are found mainly in Sahiwal, Khanewal, Vehari and Jhang Districts. The use Mehr as a title.

Kharal

The Kharal are a clan of Agnivanshi clan of Rajputs. They are found mainly in Okara, Vehari, Khanewal, Faisalabad and Sahiwal districts. Prior to partition, there were several Kharal villages in Jallandhar and Firozpur districts of Indian Punjab. They use the title Rai.

Khichi

The Khichi are a clan of Chauhan Rajputs. They are found mainly in Vehari, Sahiwal, Khanewal,Jhang and Sargodha districts. They use Malik as a title.

Khokhar

One of the largest Rajput tribe in Punjab. Historically, the Khokhar were found in Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Jallandhar districts of East Punjab. Most of these emigrated to Pakistan, after the partition of India. In central Punjab, they were and are still found in Lahore, Gujranwala, Kasur, Sialkot and Gujrat districts. The Khokhars of central and eastern Punjab use Rana as a title. The Khokhars are also found in Sargodha,Multan, Mianwali,Jhang and Sahiwal districts. These Khokhars use Malik as a title. Finally, the Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil, of Jhelum District is home to prominent family, who use the title Raja.

Mangral

The Mangral, are a Rajput clan originating from the Jangladesh region of Rajastan and the historical founders and rulers of the Panjub Hills States of Kotli and Poonch.

In Punjab they are to be found in Gujrat and Rawalpindi districts. They use the title Raja.

Manj

The Manj are a Chandravanshi clan. Historically, they were found in Jallandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur districts. There were and still are a few villages in Lahore District. Like other Muslim Rajputs of East Punjab, they migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India. They are now found in Shikhupura, Faisalabad, Okara and Sahiwal districts. They use the title Raja.

Marral

The Marral are a clan of Chauhan Rajputs. Found in Jhang and Bahawalpur. They use the title Malik.

Meo

The Meo are a clan of Jadubansi Rajputs, claiming descent from Krishna. They were and many are still found in the Mewat region of India. The districts of Gurgaon, Alwar and Bharatpur formed the Mewat region. After partition, many Meos became refugees. In Punjab, they are found in Narowal, Lahore,Kasur and Okara districts. They use the title Chawdhary.

Minhas

The Minhas are a Suryavanshi clan, and are Dogras. The Hindu branch provided the Maharajas of Jammu and Kashmir. Prior to partition, the districts of Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur were home to a large number of Muslim Minhas. In what became Pakistani territory, they were and are found in numbers in Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum and Rawalpindi districts, which all bordered Jammu and Kashmir. The Mair Minhas, are found in Chakwal District, while the Manes and Lodhra branches were found in south Punjab. The Sialkot and East Punjab Minhas used Mian as a title, and so do the Manes and Lodhra. The Mair Minhas use Chawdhary as a title, while the Gujrat and Potohar Minhas use Raja as a title.

Narma

The Narma are a Parmara Rajput clan. They are found in Gujrat, Jhelum and Rawalpindi districts. Like other Potohar Rajputs, they use Raja as a title.

Naru

The Naru are a Suryavanshi Rajput clan. Historically found in Hoshiarpur, Jallandhar, Ludhiana and Ambala districts. Like other Muslim Rajputs, they emigrated to Pakistan after partition. Now found in Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Okara and Sheikhupura districts. They use Rana as a title.

Naul

The Naul are a clan of the Bhatti Rajputs. They are found in Kasur, Sahiwal, Okara, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Jhang Districts. They use Mehr as a title.

Noon

The Noon are a clan of the Bhatti Rajputs. They are found in Sargodha, Multan and Bhakkar. The Sargodha Noon use Malik as a title, and have historically been connected with the Tiwana tribe. The Multan and Bhakkar Noon use Rana as a tiyle.

Panhwar

The Panwhar or Parmara or sometimes Puar are one of the four Agnivanshi clans of the Rajputs. In Punjab, they were found in four clusters, those of central punjab, who were found in Lahore, Amritsar and Firozpur districts. These used the tile Rana. As with other Muslim Rajputs, those of Amritsar and Firozpur emigrated to Pakistan.

The Panwhar of found among the Seraiki speaking community in Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan. They used Malik as title. In Haryana, the Panwhar or Puar were after the Chauhan, the principal tribe. They used Rao as a title. They have all emigrated to Pakistan, after 1947, and are found in Okara, Kasur and Sahiwal districts.

And finally, in Jhelum, there were a few villages in the Pabbi hill, who use the title Raja.

In addition to the Panwhar proper, a number of clans such as the Sial and Tiwana are of Panwhar descent.

Pathania

The Pathania are Chandravanshi Rajputs. This clan is overwhelmingly Hindu, with there being only two villages of Muslim Pathania in Gurdaspur District. Like other Muslim Rajput clans, after partition, they emmigrated and settled in Pakistan. They use the title Mian.

Ranghar

The term Ranghar is used to collectively describe the Muslim Rajputs, of what is now Haryana state in India. They mainly belong to the Bargujar, Bhatti, Chauhan, Johiya, Mandahar, Panhwar, Pundir and Tonwar clans. Almost all these clans used Rao as a title. The Ranghar are now found in Okara, Kasur, Bhakkar,Mandi Bahauddin and Multan districts.

Rathore

The Rathore are a Suryavanshi Rajput clan. In Punjab, Muslim Rathore were found mainly in Hissar District. In addition to these Rathore, Punjab is also home to Rathore who orignate in theKashmir valley.

Sangra

The Sangra are clan of the Bhatti Rajputs. They are found mainly in Jhang and Multan districts. They use the title Rai.

Sohlan

The Sohlan are a clan of the Parmara Rajputs. Found in a few villages in Jhelum Tehsil. They use the title Raja.

Tiwana

The Tiwana are a clan of the Parmara Rajputs. There are two branches of the tribe, those of Khushab, and those of Samana in Patiala District. Those of Samana are now settled in Pakistan as well. The Khushab Tiwana use Malik as a title, while those orignally from Samana use Chawdhary.

Ranial Rajputs

The Ranial are a branch of the Janjua rajputs. Found in Rawalpindi District of Punjab and the Islamabad Capital Territory. Like otherPotohar Rajputs, they use Raja as a title.

Sial

The Sial are a clan of Parmara Rajputs. Found in Jhang, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Vehari, Rawalpindi and Jhelum district. The Sial of Jhang use Mehr as a title, while those of Jhelum and Rawalpindi use Raja.

Sulehria

The Sulehria, or Salaria or sometime Sulehri are a Suryavanshi clan of Rajputs. Like the Jarral, Bhao, Minhas and Chib, they are Dogra. In Punjab, they are found mainly is Sialkot and Gurdaspur district. The Gurdaspur Sulehria emigrated to Pakistan, after partition. They use the title Mian.

Tonwar

The Tonwar or Tomar or Toor are a Chandravanshi Rajput clan. The Tonwar were found in Hissar and Rohtak districts of Haryana. After partition, they settled among other Ranghar communities in Okara and Sahiwal. They use the title Rao. In addition to Tonwar Rajputs, the Punjab is also home to the Toor Jats, who claim Tonwar ancestry, as do the Jarral Rajputs, who are also of Tonwar ancestry.

Varya Rajputs

The Varya or Baryah or something Warah are a clan of Suryavanshi Rajputs. Found historically inAmbala, Jalandhar and Patiala State. Like other Muslim Rajputs of the region, they emigrated to Pakistan, after partition.

Wattu (Wattoo)

The Wattu or Watto are a clan of the Chandravanshi Rajputs. Historically, they were found in Fazilka, Sira, Zira, Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara and Sahiwal. The Fazilka, Sirsa and Zira Wattu emmigrated to Pakistan, after the partition of India. They use the title Mian.

Prominent Muslim Punjabi Rajputs

Historical figures

Politics/Assembly of Pakistan

Sports

See Also

References

  1. ^ "Recruiting, Drafting, and Enlisting (Military and Society, 1)"Peter Karsten, 1998, USA, p119