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Sudhan

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File:100 1484.jpg
Typical Sudhan Member

Sudhun is one of the major tribe of Poonch, Kashmir. Lt. Col. J.M. Wikeley in his book Punjabi Musalmans wrote, "The Sudhans have pride of race and look on themselves as superior to any of the other tribes of Poonch Kashmir". "Sudhuns are mainly settled in the region from Kotli to Sudhan Gali of present Azad Jammu & Kashmir and having the population of 500,000”[1]. Apart from Indian Kashmir Sudhuns are also settled in different cities of Pakistan mainly in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Kahuta, Murree and Kotli Sattian.

Sudhan stronghold is in the cities of Rawalakot, in the Poonch District and Pallandri, in the Sudhnotti Districts of Azad Kashmir. Internationally Sudhans are settled all over the world and have large communities in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Texas, Utah and California in United States. Toronto and Calgary in Canada. London, Manchester and Birmingham in Great Britain.

Major G. Carmichael Smyth in his book A History of the Reigning Family of Lahore states: "About the year 1832, several independent hill-tribes inhabiting the north western regions of the Punjaub [Punjab] were reduced into subjection to the Lahore state. These were the Doondh, Soodhun (Sudhun), Suthee, and Murdiall tribes. The Doondh tribe lived chiefly on the banks of the Jhelum...was in number about fifty or sixty thousand... The Soodhun tribe inhabited a large tract on the eastern bank of the same river opposite the country of the Doondhs, and numbered about forty thousand souls."

In Punjabi Musalmans by Lt. Col. J.M. Wikeley: "Male population.— 25,300. (Census 1838). The Sudhanoti tahsil of Poonch is the home of the Sudhans, but they spread also into the Havali, Bagh and Kotli tehsils and a few even are to be met with across the Jhelum in the Kahuta tahsil of Rawalpindi... The Sudhans are the most important tribe of Poonch."

Theories of origins

There are two different theories about the origin of Sudhan; Afghan and Brahmin ancestry.

Afghan Ancesty or Rajput Ancestry:'

According to Major (Retd) Tilla Mohammad, now deceased, a political leader in Peshawar, in his books on the Sudhan tribe stated:

"Sudhans had immigrated to Azad Kashmir from Ghazni and Kandahar, Afghanistan, during the 14th century."

Major (Retd) Tilla Muhammad was himself from [Rehara], Kashmir and his ancestors had migrated to Peshawar from Kashmir.

Some Sudhans adopted the name Sadozai, after the publication of the articles by Major (Retd) Tila Muhammad.

Some members of the Sudhun tribe (sadozai) claim that the Sudhun tribe are descendendts from Afghan Pathan tribes; this may just be due to the fact that Ahmed Shah Durrani's empire consisted of what is now known as Kashmir and the Sudhuns just a by-product of the subsequent invasions. However none of this been ascertained by historical or genealogical proof. The only evidence given to this theory is through oral traditions.[2][3]

Brahmin ancestry: According to Col. (Rtd) Dr. Khalil Khan now deceased, a Dermatologist from Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. "Sudhans were converted to Islam by Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir the sixth Mughal ruler".[4]

By origin the Mohyals are certainly Saraswat and still take wives from that group in Gujarat, while in Rawalpindi the five superior sections (Sudhan, Sikhan, Bhaklal, Bhog and Kali) of the Bunjahi Sarsuts used to give daughters Bhimwal(Bhibhal) Mohyal Sarsuts and occasionally to other Mohyal sections.[5]

The name Sudhan also occurs in the Mahabharata mythology, as a descendant of the vedic rishi Angiras, this is also further corroborated by the reference above, although there is no reference of the tribe itself claiming descent from the mentioned Angiras's son Sudhan. Also in the Gazetteer of Rawalpindi, there appears no mention of the Sudhan's Mohyal or Brahmin connection. There are Hindu Sudhans, mostly living in Indian Occupied Kashmir, and Sikh Sudhans in Indian Punjab and Kashmir.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Castes and Tribes of Poonch by Muhammad Din Folk “Sudhan is shown as one of the 12 communities in Hazara during the Vedic age. Sodhan is described as a Rajput tribe. Sud race is settled in East Punjab”.

Reigning Family of Lahore by Major G. Carmichael Smyth “Sud were originally called suwdik, one of the nomadic tribes who settled in Iran in 900 BC. The name changed to Sogdian-Sulik-Sud due to dialects of Chines, Sogdian & Punjabi writers. Sudrakas (sud race in South Punjab) fought battle with Alexander the Great and gave Alexander a tough time in Sogdian (Summarkand)”.

The Sudhan Revolt (The News 19 October 1997.) By Sardar M. Saleem Khan. "Sudhan, and important and high caste of Chihalis-Rajputs (Aryans)".

Gazetteer of Kashmir & Ladakh (1890) "Lehr Muni (ancestor of Sudhan) son of Bawa Muna (Chief of Katas Tirath) migrated from Katas to Poonch in 11th century. One of his descendants Sudh Sain/Pal is the patriarch of Sudhan. Sudhan Chander Bansi dynasty ruled from the capital of Sudhnuti. Sudhan are Muslims as well as Hindus".

DNA Research: A research project comprising DNA lineage study has been commenced to determine the ancestry of the Sudhans.

Education

Literacy rate in Azad Kashmir soars to 78 percent, leaving the rest of Pakistan behind [16]. The Sudhun tribe in particularly is well educated composing of high literacy rates both among its female and male members.

Language

The Sudhun mother tongue is the Pahari language. Sudhuns generally learn and speak the language of the area of settlement but take pride in speaking Pahari. Sudhans living in Karachi and other elite classes have become accustomed to using English and Urdu.

Sudhan Rebellion against Pakistan Army

Sudhans rebelled against the Pakistan Army. Pakistan sent the Punjab constabulary along with a Brigade of Pakistan Army, to crush the rebellion. This rebellion damaged the careers of some Sudhans, however, Sudhans supported the rebellion against the Pakistan military.

Sudhans were not given security clearance until 1972, and were not accepted in the Pakistan Military Academy regular course until 1965. Sudhans have suffered by the oppression of Pakistan occupation led by Military Dictators.[17]

Sudhans in Army

File:Lt Col Mehboob Ali Khan.jpg
Lt Col Mehboob Ali Khan - Baral, a typical Sudhun Army Officer

The Sudhans have long history of service in the Armed Forces. This was due to the fact that in Poonch district, opportunities for employment were few and far between, thus joining the Indian Army was necessary for survival.

Initially they had joined British Indian Army during the First & Second World Wars. During the Second World War Sudhans fought in Burma, North Africa and participated in the liberation of Europe.

Sudhans fought against the British Occupation of India with the Indian National Army. One prominent being Colonel Hidayat Khan. He later fought in the war against Dogra rule.

After independence of India and Pakistan, Sudhuns continued the tradition of joining the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

Sudhans won many gallantry awards in 1948, 1965 and 1971 wars against India.

Religion

Sudhans are found among Muslim, Hindu & Sikh religious communities. Muslim Sudhuns are mostly Sunni of the Hannafi branch of Islam. With mushrooming of religious madrassas all sects of Sunni Islam have crept into the sudhan belt. There is lately, Wahabi influence, that has crept into Sudhans communities being brought by Saudi Arabian authorities. Traditionally they believed in and revered saints/holy men and visited holy places with enthusiasm as most Sudhans were converted to Islam by Sufi saints.

Employment

Having a few natural resources resulted in Sudhuns joining the military, initially joining the British Indian Army during the First World War and later during the Second World War.

During the Second World War Sudhans fought in Burma, North Africa and participated in the liberation of Europe. Some Sudhans who participated in the War are receiving war compensation from the Government of Japan. Sudhans are well represented in the military, government and business.

Notable members

  • Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, founder & first President of AJK.[18]
  • Baba-e-Poonch Khansahib Col. Khan Muhammad Khan, member of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly from 1934 to 1946. Chairman War Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir in 1947 and then member Defence Council. Founder of Sudhan Educational Conference.
  • Col. Sardar Sher Ahmed Khan, 4th President of Azad Kashmir.[18]
  • Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Hayyat Khan, 14th President of Azad Kashmir.[18]
  • Major General (Retd.) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, 25th President of Azad Kashmir.[18]
  • General (Retd.) Aziz Khan, former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) Pakistan Army.
  • Lt. General (Retd.) M. Rahim Khan, former Division Commander Pakistan Army in East Pakistan, Chairman Pakistan International Airlines, former Chairman Pakistan Chrome Mines Ltd and Secretary General Ministry of Defense.
  • Justice Sardar Mohammed Nawaz Khan, Chief Justice of High Court of Azad Kashmir.
  • M. Rashid Khan, former Chairman Pakistan Banking Council.
  • Engr.Sardar Muhammad Hafeez Khan, Former Head of Transmission and Distribution, Ministry of Electricity, Government of Oman. Currently Business Director Middle East with Siemens
  • Lt. Col. Tassadaq Hussain Khan, former Chief of the Military of the Sultanate of Oman.
  • Ambassador Masood Khan, former spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Government of Pakistan and current Ambassador of Pakistan to Peoples Republic of China.
  • Tasneem Aslam, Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy and former Spokesperson and Director General(UN), Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[19]
  • Sardar Muhammad Aslam, former Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan.
  • Sardar M. Yaqoob Khan, Prime Minister of AJK (2009) and first Sudhan to be PM of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Sardar Tahir Anwer Khan, Ex-Minister, AJ&K Government.
  • Dr. Rehana Kausar MD, first female doctor from the Sudhan tribe, and former head of the Islamic Medical Association of America.
  • Maqbool Hamidullah Khan, first Sudhan woman, to receive a Masters Degree in English from Punjab University in 1962.
  • Sardar Mohammad Sharif Khan, former Chief Justice of Supreme court.
  • Sardar Said Mohammad Khan, former Chief Justice of Supreme court.
  • Sabir Hussain Sabir International Award Winning Author Englash&urdu Poet/Writer,As of 2009 he has written four books.

Earthquake of 2005

File:100 1628.jpg
2005 Earthquake Relief Rawalakot. Cuban Field Hospital

On Saturday, October 8, 2005 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed more than 30,000 people and left up to three million homeless in AJK alone. The city of Rawalakot, the capital of the Sudhan tribe, suffered significant damage from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake; although most of the buildings were left standing, many of them were rendered uninhabitable, and some of the population was left homeless. Most of the buildings have been reconstructed, though without the help of the Governments of Pakistan or Azad Kashmir.

In District Rawalakot the Press for Peace team in the supervision of divisional coordinator, Sardar Abid Siddique started rescue and relief work soon after the disaster.

Cuba along with the Czech Republic and Jordan provided medical assistance to the population of Rawalakot.

Typical Sudhan members around the world

See also

References

  1. ^ KASHMIR SAGA by Sardar M Ibrahim Khan
  2. ^ KASHMIR SAGA by Sardar M Ibrahim Khan, Founder & First President of AJK. Sudhan claim their ancesty from Afgan and they also resemble them.
  3. ^ Jammu & Kashmir. Territories by Frederic Migrated from Ghazni to the present location in 14th century.
  4. ^ History of Sudhuns. by: Colonel Retired Dr. Muhammad Khalil 10-C St 1, New Lalazar Rawalpindi Cantt. Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
  5. ^ A glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and north-west provinces, compiled by H A Rose, vol II Page 121
  6. ^ The history of POONCH tribes by Mohammad din fok. Under the main heading of Brahmans or Khatris, Sudhan is shown as one of the 12 communities in Hazara during the Vedic age. Sodhan is described as a Rajput tribe. Sud race is settled in East Punjab.
  7. ^ Reigning Family of Lahore by Carmichael Smyth. Sud were originally called suwdik, one of the nomadic tribes who settled in Iran in 900 BC. The name changed to Sogdian-Sulik-Sud due to dialects of Chines, Sogdian & Punjabi writers. Sudrakas (sud race in South Punjab) fought battle with Alexander the Great and gave Alexander a tough time in Sogdian (Summarkand).
  8. ^ Political & Social Movements in Ancient Punjab by Buddha Prakash Sogdiana (Summarkand & Bokara) and Sogdae (Thar), Sogda (Rohri). The resemblance of names of the places shows that the Sogdian people lived in Sind.
  9. ^ Alexander the Great by Hammond Sogdiana was Iranian province. Iranian tribes were present in Punjab & Summerkand
  10. ^ Alexander the Great by Robin Lane Darius conquered Sogdiana (521 BC), Punjab & Sind (512 BC)
  11. ^ The Sudhan Revolt (The News 19 October 1997.) By Sardar M. Saleem Khan. Sudhan, and important and high caste of Chihalis-Rajputs (Aryans).
  12. ^ Gazetteer of Kashmir & Ladakh (1890) Lehr Muni (ancestor of Sudhan) s/o Bawa Muna (chief of Katas Tirath) migrated from Katas to Poonch in 11th century. One of his descendants Sudh Sain/Pal is the patriarch of Sudhan. Sudhan Chander Bansi dynasty ruled from the capital of Sudhnuti. Sudhan are Muslims as well as Hindus
  13. ^ Rajgan J&K and Rajputan Punjab by Tahakar Kahan Singh. Mohammedan Rajas of Poonch loosely resemble Khakhas.
  14. ^ Ancient Geography of Kashmir by Cunnigham. Sulikas were present in North & Northwest of India in Vedic age
  15. ^ Modern academic studies that mention the Sudhans include Alexander Evans's 2005 article in Asian Affairs: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/raaf/2005/00000036/00000001/art00003
  16. ^ Daily Times: February 06, 2006 http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\02\06\story_6-2-2006_pg7_55
  17. ^ The Sudhan Revolt (The News 19 October 1997.) By Sardar M. Saleem Khan.
  18. ^ a b c d http://www.ajk.gov.pk/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2875&Itemid=114
  19. ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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