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Demographics of Azad Kashmir

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The population of Azad Kashmir is composed of many communities and tribes. According to the 1998 Census of Pakistan, the total population of Azad Kashmir was 3,271,000.[1]

Many of these groups now live in England, where they form sub-groups of the British Pakistani community. Kashmiris living in the United Kingdom number well over 500,000.[2]

Castes in Mirpur

The caste system is generally considered out dated and archaic. There is no historic precedence with which to create a hierarchy, rather most castes are judged and ranked in society by the prestige attached to the jobs with which the caste entails.

  • Sayed: Peers (Monk), they are downward of the family of Mohammad.
  • Shaikhs[3]: Tradesmen, they are downward Arabic; they add with their first name the name of "Malik."
  • Kashmiri: Of origin of Kashmir, they form a caste in Punjab, make various trades atchers, foremen... They add with their first name the name of "Goal."as tradesmen,
  • Arian: The oral tradition said that they are descendants of the army of Ibn Qasim, whose troops had been created in Perse. They are originating in Perse and became with time landowners. One finds this caste only in Punjab. They add with their first name the name of "Chaudry", "Mian", "Mair", sometimes "Khan."
  • Teli: Business caste, traditionally oil makers, provided edible oil to society.
  • Jat: Landowners; they add with their first name the name of "Chaudry", "Shima", (it is not systematic).
  • Rajput: Traditionally thought of as landowners. The great majority of Rajputs are Hindu. Many supported the British and received land and honourary titles like Raja.[4]
  • Kakezai - A well educated ethnic group mostly settled in Mirpur city, linked to business.
  • Qazi: The oral tradition said that they would go down from the Afghan soldiers. They would have since the beginning exerted the function of monk. Currently it is a caste land great landowners; it is very largely represented in the administration and the bureaucracy. They add with their first name the name of "Qureshi".
  • Pathan: Descendants of pathans, they form a caste in Punjab, they make various trades as civils servant, tradesmen...
  • Gujar: Herdsmen, and often landowners.

The "small castes" is as follows:

  • Tarhan: Carpenters.
  • Qamyar: Potters.
  • Lowar: Will forge.
  • Kassaï: Butchers.
  • Mirassi: Travelling musicians, troubadours.
  • Mautchi: Shoe-makers.
  • Tobi: Launderers.
  • Darzi: Dressmakers.
  • Jalaye: Tisserands.
  • Lahari: Dyers.
  • Mashqi: Water carriers.
  • Teli: Oil Tycoons.
  • Balwalai: Messengers.
  • Naï: Hairdressers; they are also able to make small operations, they circumscise the new born ones and are cooks during the festivals and the marriages...
  • Fakir: They are nourished by people of the districts where they live, in exchange of all kinds of odd jobs (to wash the crockery, to prepare the narghile...).

Major ethnic groups

No census has been carried out to ascertain the ethnicity of the people of Azad Kashmir. However, estimates suggest that certain ethnic groups dominate. These are the Sayeds, Gujjars, Jats, Rajputs, Sudhan and Mughals. The Gujjars, who make up the largest group, number approximately 800,000, and are distributed over the entire state. Rajputs and Sudhan each number 500,000; Rajputs and Sayyeds are distributed throughout the state, while Sudhans are concentrated in Poonch and Sudhnati districts. Jats are concentrated in Mirpur and Kotli districts,[5] numbering around 500,000.Sayyeds,Mughals like Douli Sardars,Maldyal, Hoteel, Baig, Mirza, Mir, Banday and Chughtai clanes also found In Whole Ajk, But found in Majority in Bagh, Abbaspur, Many areas of Muzaffarabad and District Neelum. They constitute about 450000 or more in population of AJK.

In addition to above groups, large numbers of Hindkowans are also found in the state, especially in the northern districts of Muzaffarabad and Neelum like Turks, Tanolies, Durrani and some others who migrated from Hazara region. Finally, smaller scattered groups of ethnic Kashmiris are found in the state, particularly in Neelum District. In Neelum there are a number of other communities such as Shins, Pashtuns and Shugni.

Major tribes

The following are the major tribes found within the territory of Azad Kashmir.

Ansari

The Ansaris are found mainly in Muzaffarabad town, and are mostly Hindko-speaking.

Arnyal or Ranyal

The Arnyal are a dominant Jat clan found predominantly in Mirpur. The majority of Arnyal villages were uprooted in the 1960s with the construction of the Mangla Dam. Most Arnyal hamlets in old Mirpur were dotted around the Rajput village of Tharchak, the largest village being Burban. The nearest point in modern New Mirpur to this area are the villages of Khambal, Nimaal and Kharrak. Today Arnyals are found in not just Mirpur but also nearby towns such as Jhelum, and Sarai Alamgir; there are also pockets found in Gujrat, Sargoda and even as far afield as Multan. Due to accent and lingistic differences some people pronounce "Arnyal" as "Ranyal", but it is effectively the same clan.

Awan

The Alvi Awan are found mainly in District Poonch Rawalakot (Rawalakot City, Singola Awanabad, Chak, Dhamni, Khai Gala, Barmang Awanabad, More Farman Shah, Hurnamera, Chak, Goe Nala, Panyola, Dar, Goe Nala,Bun Baik), Tehsil Hajira (Mera, Bela, Rakar, Tantrinot), District Sudhnoti (Baloch, Baithak, Awanabad), District Muzaffarabad (Awan Patti, Qummikot, Lower Chattar, Ambor, Kohala, Gari Duppata), District Kotli, District Chakoti, District Neelam, District Bagh (City, Naryola, Napra, Copra), Mirpur District, their main villages being Ghaseetpur Awan and Mohra Malkan. The Awan of Pakistan occupied Kashmir are Pahari-speaking. Famous Awan historian Mohabbat Husain Awan claimed thate ten million populac of Alvi Awan in Pakistan and fifty millions in the World.

Bais

The Bais are a major clan in Mirpur District, with many villages around Islamgarh town such as Potha Bainsi and Kalyal Bhainsi. Like almost all of Mirpur District, they are Pahari-speaking. Nearby in the Punjab they are speakers of the Punjabi and speak other Lahnda languages, depending on where they reside. Bais have been residents of the areas of Kashmir and Punjab for millennia, having moved there as Dhangars and also moved during times of trade and so do not originate from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, but rather moved down from northern parts of Kashmir and from Punjab from both India and Pakistan for commerce and trade of land over the last few centuries.

As most Bais of the region are the descendants of the Dhangar tribes that came from modern day northern India and settled in the areas, the name Bais is pronounced in also very common: Bhains, the pronunciation of the clans name in ancient Dhangar texts. This causes great confusion with the Bains (Jat) found in Punjab although there is hardly any or no link between the two ethnic groups.

The Bais often suffer discrimination from other ethnic groups and Jat clans as they do not descend originally from the Pakistan occupied Kashmir region. These ethnic groups and Jat clans of the region dismiss their Jat sovereignty even though the Bais Jat are one of the 36 Royal Jat clans[6][7] and of Dhangar lineage.[8][9][10][11][12]

Today the Bais are scattered throughout the region. They also reside in the United Kingdom in large numbers, as they were a major part of emigration to the UK.

Bakarwal

This a semi-nomadic tribe, migrating from Bagh and Poonch to the Kaghan valley in the summers. They speak the Gojri language. Most of them are Gujjars.

Bangial

The Bangial are a rajput-Jat clan found in Mirpur District. Potha Bangash is an important village in Mirpur District.

Bhao Rajputs

The Bhao Rajputs are found in Bhimber District, in a few villages near the Line of Control.

Bhawpal Rajputs

The Bhawpal Rajputs are found mainly in Bagh District, near the line of control. The Bhawpal are part of a group of tribes known as Chibhali, and are found mainly in Rajouri District in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, along the slopes of the Pir Panjal mountains. There are also few villages in Kotli District as well.

Bomba

The Bomba is a tribe that claims descent from the Banu Hashim, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammed. With the Khakha, they make up the entire population of the Jhelum valley from Muzaffarabad to the Line of Control. According to Tareekh-e-Hazara by Dr Sher Bahadur khan Punni, Sultan Kashif Khan migrated from Tibet with his fellows and settled in Kuttla region village Rajkot in 16th century. At that time, these areas were under Turk rulers of Pakhli state and Kamal Khan Turk was the administrator of these areas. The population of this region was sick of the atrocities of Turk rulers and the arrival of Bombas was thought of as blessing in disguise by the local population. The Turks tried their best to abolish the prevailing rule of Bombas but failed to do so. The Bombas with the help of local population struggled and succeeded in establishing their rule in areas of Kahori, Dara Balakot, Gari and adjoining areas. The Bomba rule is written with golden words in history. The present day capital of Azad Kashmir is named after Muzaffar Khan of Bomba Dynasty.

Butt

The Bhat (known as 'Butt' among Pahari-speaking communities) are a clan of Kashmiri Muslims. They are found all over Pakistan occupied Kashmir; some are recent immigrants from the Kashmir valley. There are old established communities in Mirpur and Kotli, descendants of Kashmiri immigrants who left the Kashmir valley in the 18th and 19th centuries. The newer immigants speak Kashmiri, while the old established families are Pahari-speaking. In Neelum District, Athmuqam and the Leepa Valley, their communities speak Kashmiri, with members of the Butt clan present.

Thakial Rajputs

The Thakial are a Muslim Rajput tribe. They are found in Muzaffarabad and Bagh Districts in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They are also found in Thub Thakyalan, Bagh District. In Bagh District the tribe is found in these villages: Kalaban, Ghugarh Qazia Abad; Officers Colony, Naran; Barha Kotha, Narh; Sanwan; Nali; Bandian; Akberabad Morange; Bagail; Mandriala; Jabrhi; Pearh Akbar Abad; Dothan; Seri; Dhuk; Koterha Naman Poora; Kroiywalan Khethar; Kohala; Mitt Gali; Mera; Nendrai; Khisa; Nagrat; Narhian; Sodhi; Sangwala Pani; Dralian; Choora, Dana; Padar; and Khetar. The Baghal branch is found in Kotli and Mirpur Districts. In the following areas, a majority of residents are Thakial Rajputs:

The town of Fatehpur Thakiala in Kotli District is named after them. Like other Pahari Rajputs, they are a Pahari-speaking tribe.

Chib

The Chib are perhaps one of the largest Rajput tribes in the state. There is a concentration of Chib villages in Bhimber District, and the region was historically known as Chibhal. Deva and Batala are important Chib villages in that district. In Kotli important Chib villages include Khoi Ratta, Segyum and Supplah. The Bhimber Chib are Punjabi-speaking, while the Mirpur and Kotli ones speak Pahari.

Dar

Found all over Pakistan occupied Kashmir, some are recent migrants from the Kashmir valley. There are old established communities in Mirpur and Kotli, descendants of Kashmiri immigrants who left the Kashmir valley in the 18th and 19th century. The newer immigants speak Kashmiri, while the old established families are Pahari-speaking. In Athmuqam, and other towns in the Leepa valley, there are communities of ethnic Kashmiris, including members of the Dar tribe.

Dhamial

The Dhamial are a rajput-Jat clan in Kotli and Mirpur District. After the Kalyals, they may represent the second largest Jat clan in the State of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Dheri Dhamial is an important village in Mirpur District.

Dhund Abbasi

The Dhund Abbasi are found mainly in Bagh District, especially around the town of Mallot. Most of the villages bordering Murree Tehsil of Punjab and Abbotabad District of the North West Frontier Province are held by the Dhund Abbasi. The village of Chirala Sohawa in Bagh District is an important settlement of the tribe. They speak their own dialect of Punjabi called Dhondi.

Domaal

The Domaal are a Rajput tribe found mainly in the divided district of Poonch. Most of their villages are along the Line of Control. Like other tribes of the Poonch region, they speak the Pahari language.

Douli

The Douli tribe is found mainly along the Line of Control in the villages of Hajira, Dara Sher Khan, Mandhole, Abbaspur, Serarri as well Rawalakot town in Poonch District. They are Pahari-speaking, as are most Poonch District tribes.

The Douli, being a Mughal sub-tribe, use the surnames Sardar and Khan. Rawalakot, Hajira, Tetrinote, Madarpur, Kakuta, Mehndla, Buttal, Dharamsal, Sehra, Mandhol, Serrari, Darra Sher Khan (Poonch District), Punjerra, Srsawa and Goi (Kotli District) are the strongholds of Douli Sardars in Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir. Meanwhile, in Indian-administered Kashmir, a number of Tehsil Mendhar can be found, including Darra Doulian, Chandak, Mankote, Challas, Saloutri, Tarrana and Surrankot.

Poonch city was the centre of cultural and political activities of the Douli tribe before the division of Kashmir. The 1947 partition of the subcontinent and the subsequent division of Kashmir dispersed the tribe. The tribe is among the well-educated, civilized and politically active members of Kashmiri society. Their mother tongue is Pahari.

Gakhars

The Gakhars are a Persian tribe that settled in Pothohar region centuries ago as a result of mass migration from Iran. With the passage of time they settled in Mirpur region. Now they are concentrated in Mirpur and Rawalakot Districts and one or two villages in Bagh District; they have several villages in Dadyal tehsil and Mirpur Tehsil of that district. Ghakar villages in Mirpur include Arah Jagir, Chattroh, Sanhote, Abdulahpur, Punhan and Siakh Pahaith.

Gujjar

They are the largest tribe in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In the southern districts of Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber, they are a sedentary, Pahari-speaking tribe. In the northern districts, they are nomadic and speak the Gojri language. Important Gujjar villages in Mirpur District include Rahimkot, Bhalot (Mirpur), Mandi (Mirpur), Sahalia and Kund. In Kotli District, they inhabit the following villages; Khoi Ratta, Anderla Kothera, Shaheen Abad, Dakkhana, Phalini, Khor, Ghayeen, Kerjai, Barali, Nidi Sohana, Nakyal, Chooroi and Sehnsa. In Bagh District, they are found in Haveli, Hajirah, Abbaspour and Bura Jungle. In addition to these villages, the majority of Gujjars are in Muzaffarabad, Hattian and Neelum District. More than 55 percent of the Muzaffarabad, Hattian and Neelum population are Gujjar. These three districts have seven seats in the legislative assembly and of these, four seats are always won by Gujjar candidates. They live mostly in Gojra and Rahimkot.

The main Gujjar clans found in the State include Bhargat, Bakarwal, Bajar, Bhumbla, Bjarh, Chandpuri, Chauhan, Chechi, Hans, Khatana, Khepar, Meelu and Kukaswal.

Janjua

The Janjua are a large tribe found mainly in Rawalpindi and Jhelum districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Some also live in Azad Kashmir, especially in Kotli, Bagh and Poonch.

Jat

The Jat are one largest tribes in the state, making up the majority of the population of Mirpur District, and forming a large part of the populations of Kotli and Bhimber district. According to the Census of India 1901, the total Jat population of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was 148,000, of which 123,000 (83%) were Muslim.[13] Most of them resided in areas that now form Azad Kashmir, although there were few villages in the Jammu and Kathua regions, most of whom immigrated to Pakistan after the state's ascension to India.

In Mirpur, Jats reside in the traditional Jat heartlands of Chakswari, Dadyal, the city of Mirpur and the countryside surrounding Mirpur, which is overwhelmingly Jat. The main Jat villages near Mirpur are Ban Khurma, Chitterpury, Balah-Gala, Kas Kalyal, Khambal, Khroota, Purkhan, Sangot and Dheri Thothal as well as many villages around the Khari Sharif area. The Mirpur and Kotli Jats speak Pahari, while those of Bhimber speak a dialect which is close to the Punjabi spoken in Gujrat District. Overall the Jats are probably one of the largest tribes in Azad Kashmir and are the largest tribe among the Azad Kashmir diaspora. They are a tribe with a very strong history and are noble barons and landlords (jagirdars). Others like the Mochis, Nais, Telis, Tarkhans, Mistry and Kumars have joined the Mughals, Abbassis, Quershis and Sayeds. This has resulted in the Arab and Uzbek ethnic groups now predominantly becoming non-Arab and Turkish.

The main rajput~Jat clans in the State are the Arnyals, Badhans, Bangial, Dhamial, Kalyals, Kanyals, Mathyals, Nagyals, Nathyals, Punyals, Rachyals, Ranyals Rupyals and Thathals. Jat are large majority in Mirpur. The first Jat Prime Minister of Pakistan occupied Kashmir was Barrister Sultan Mahmood. Jat villages are Pothi, Trapah, Kharak, Thothal, Sangoot, Morah Soorat, Dohala, Bangdohara and many others. United Kingdom Jats live in Bradford, Luton, Halifax and Birmingham. The rajput~jats clans mentioned above are considered a martial race in Mirpur Azad Kashmir because of their large numbers and strong ancestrol history.

Jarral

The Jarral are a Rajput tribe, originally from Rajauri in Indian-administerd Jammu and Kashmir. They settled in Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts.

In Kotli District, they are found in Khoiratta.

In Mirpur District the Jarrals reside in Mirpur, Jatlan, Pul Manda, and nearby areas.

Junhal Rajputs

The Juhnal are a Muslim Mughal tribe found mainly in Bagh and Poonch Districts.

Jheer

The Jheer were historically associated with water carrying. They are found mainly in Kotli and Mirpur districts. They are Pahari-speaking.

Kahlotra Rajputs

The Kahlotra are a Rajput clan found mainly in the southeastern portion of Kotli District. In addition to these villages, Azad Kashmir is also home to refugee Kahlotra families from Rajauri District, in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. These refugee families are now found mainly in Mirpur District. Like other tribes of the Mirpur region, they are Pahari-speaking.

Kalyal

The Kalyal are perhaps the largest rajput~Jat tribe in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They are found in large numbers in Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli. Kas Kalyal is an important village in Mirpur District.

Kanyal

The Kanyal are a rajput~Jat clan that claims descent from the Jammu Dogras. They are found in Mirpur District and speak Pahari.

Karlal

Like the Dhund Abbasi, the Karlal are found in villages in the Jhelum valley sections of Poonch and Bagh Districts. They speak Hindko.

Kashmiri Sheikh

The Sheikh are a tribe found in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are Muslim Brahmins who converted to Islam. They are a sister clan of the Butt and Dar tribes, who are also of Kashmiri Pundit ancestry. They may belong to Sapru or Kaul clans. Mostly they are present in Muzaffarabad, Jehlum valley, Bagh, Chikar, Garhi Dupatta, Chakoti, Saran, etc. They are mostly businessman and some are present outside the country. Most of them speak Hindko.

Magray

The Magray are a martial Kashmiri tribe of Rajput origin. The Magray are descended from Kashtri-un-Nassal Rajput, one of the four classes of Hindus. The Kashtri were people of the ruling class with responsibility for the defence of the state. Ladhay Magray was the forefather of the Magray tribe. Magrays accepted Islam at the hand of Syed Ali Hamdani in 13th century. The first person who settled in Kashmir belonged to the Magray tribe. The Magray tribe ruled over Kashmir for 700 years. They invited Mughals to enter Kashmir in order to end disturbances in the valley. However, subsequently Mughals were defeated and pushed back by the Magray tribe. The Magray tribe is settled all over the world with a majority in Kashmir Valley. Several villages and town in Kashmir are named Magray:

  • Magray Village - District Bagh
  • Magray City - Kuttan, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad
  • Magray Hills - Kanchikot, Rawalakot
  • Magray Abad - Rawalakot
  • Magray Gali - Lipa Valley, Muzaffarabad
  • Magray Abad - Attmaqam, Kel Road, Neelum Valley
  • Magray Village - Motarin, Khaigala, Rawalakot
  • Kharl Magrayan - District Bagh
  • Sardari Magrayan - Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad
  • Magray village Marchkot - Abbaspur
  • Bandian Magray - Abbaspur

"Magray" is an ancient word which means "martials", "warriors" or "warlike people". Magray is also sometimes spelled Magrey, Magre or Magri. The plural of Magray is Magres.

Various historical books on Kashmir contain material on the Magray tribe and their role in the history of Kashmir. A few of these books are listed here for reference:

  • Magray in the Eyes of History - By Sajid Latif Magray
  • Magray A Warrior Kashmiri Tribe - By Abdul Qayyum
  • Valley of Kashmir - By Sir Walter Lirance
  • Imperial Gazettier of India - Govt of India
  • Tribes and Castes of Kashmir - By Muhammad Din Folk
  • Castes and Tribes of Poonch - By Muhammad Din Folk
  • History of Kasmir - - By Khawaja Azamey
  • History of Kashmir - By Muhammad Hassan
  • History Kabeer Kashmir - By Haji M.Mohiudin
  • Raj Tarangi - By Pandit Kahlan
  • Tareekh-e-Kashmir - By Professors Nazir Ahmed Tashna
  • Kashmir in the Era of Muslim empires - By Ghulam Hassan Khoyami
  • Tareekh-e- Malkan - By Dr Sadiq Malik
  • Jalwa-e-Kashmir - By Dr Sabir Afaqi
  • Baharistan-e-Shahi - A Chronocle Mediaeval of Kashmir
  • Magray- The Martials and Warriors of Kashmir - By Sajiad Latif Magray
  • Tareekh-e-Kashmir,Islamia - By Dr Sabir Afaqi
  • Tareekh-e-Azmi - By M.Azam
  • Tribal geography of India Jamu and Kashmir - By M. Bashir Magray
  • A New History of India and Pakistan - By Quyyam Abdul

Areas occupied by the Magray tribe include the following:

  • Magray village, Motarin, Rawalakot: This is a village consisting of about 400 households, exclusively of the Magray tribe. The road from Rawalkot to Tatrinote crossing point passes by this village.
  • Magray Hills Kanchikot: This is a big village which starts at the Magray Market on Ali Sajad Road and goes to the top of Tolipeer, a prominent hilltop.
  • Magray Abad Rawalakot: This is a small town in Rawalakot valley on Banjora Road in Barmang.
  • Magray village, Bagh: This village starts at Magray city in Lower Bela and extends to the prominent hilltop of Kashmir Lasdana. The village comprises 600 households, all of the Magray people.
  • Kharl Magrayan is a small area in District Bagh, people of Magray tribe are settled here
  • Magray Gali Lipa is a prominent hilltop of Kashmir in Lipa valley.
  • Magray city, Kuttan
  • A small town in Kutton Neelum valley consisting of shopping centres, shops and residential areas
  • Magray Abad Athmaqam
  • A small town in Neelum valley on Kel Road near Athmaqam
  • Sardari Magrayan, in a remote area of Neelum Valley
  • Magray village, Marchkot is the largest village of Abbaspur town; it consists of more than 1000 households, exclusively of the Magray tribe.

Two books—Magray: The Martials and Warriors of Kashmir and Magray in the Eyes of History—have been written by Sajjad Latif Magray and were launched in 2008. Historical analyses of the Magray have been written by Sabir Afaqi, M. Sadiq Malik, and M. Ashraf Qureshi (Chairman of the Department of Kashmiriyat at Punjab University, Lahore).

The Magray Supreme Council is the supreme ruling body of the Magray tribe, empowered to take various political and socioeconomic decisions on behalf of the Magray tribe. Other notable Magray organizations include the Magray Educational Society, the Magray Tanzeem, and the Magray Welfare Trust.

Malik tribe

Malik is a title used mostly by Minhas Rajputs of Kotli District. A few Maliks are also descendants of Arab soldiers settled in Kashmir by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. They are also found mainly in Kotli District.

Mangral

The Mangral are a Rajput clan that makes up a significant proportion of the population of Kotli District. Mangral villages include Trar Dewan and are also found near Rawalakot. [1]

Manhas

The Manhas (or Minhas) are perhaps the largest clan of the Rajputs in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They are commonly found in Kotli district, as well as Mirpur and Bagh districts. In Kotli they use the title "Malik" and represent a majority in the whole area of "Raj Mehal", including Goi, Dhanwan, Hillan, Gharad, Janjora, Kalhar, Makrali, Phagwari, Ghazan, Rhiyan, Tinda Kala, Kotla and Gunni Malkan, etc. Malik Nawaz, senior Minister Pakistan occupied Kashmir, belongs to the Minhas clan of Rajput. The Hindu branch of this tribe produced the Maharajahs of Jammu and Kashmir.

Maldiyal Mughal

The Maldyal Mughals are highly educated. They use the surname "Sardar". They are in the majority in 84 villages of Tehsil Bagh and Tehsil Harri Gehal out of 132 villages of both Tehsils in District Bagh, where they enjoy brotherly relations with all other tribes. A remarkable number of Maldiyal Mughals are settled in many places around the world. Sardar Shams Khan and Sardar Rajwali Khan were the ones who initiated a rebellion against Maharaja in 1831 in Poonch, which lasted for more than 3 months, resulting in Shahadat of Sardar Shams Khan whose head was offered to Maharaja in Bagh and his companions Sabz Ali and Mali (Sudhans) skin was removed in Mung.[clarification needed]

The main villages of Maldyals are Nar Sher Ali Khan, Panyali, Dharay, Chitra Topi, Sahlian Maldialan, Kharl Maldyalain, Kotehri Najam Khan, Kotehri Tughloo Khan, Kotehra Mast Khan, Choki, Dhokan Rawali, Noor Gala, Beer Pani, Saver, Panialay, Rawaly, Khawaja Ratnoi, Kotla, Seekot, Birpani, Bangran, Khotian, Swang, Rehra, Dhulli, Chattar Paddar, Gehlan, Chatra, Polas, Bhount, Potha in Abbaspur, Trar Dewan in Rawalakot, Goi Tehsil Nakial,Sahir,Kakutta, and many more in Muzaffarabad district, etc. A majority of Maldyal Mughals speak Pahari and are Sunni Muslims.

Mughal

Other than Maldiyal and Douli clans, there are small numbers of Mughals distributed all over the state. Some belong the famous Chughtai. Other clans include the Mughal Meer, Mughal Magri, Khan Muhgal and Mughal Bhut.But important thing to notice is that people with titles of MIRZA and BAIG are cream of Brave Moughals because Great Moughal Rulars of India used this title. Mirza, Baig, Chughtai,Maldiyal are one tribe.

Nagyals

The Nagyal are a rajput~Jat clan. They are found mainly in Mirpur District, where Nagial is an important village. Like other Azad Kashmir Jats, they speak the Pahari language.

Narma

The Narma are a Rajput tribe found mainly in Bagh District and Kotli District, with a few in Mirpur and Bhimber districts.

In Bagh District, the tribe is found mainly in these villages: Kaffulgarh, Ghaniabad, Bees Bagla, Sarmundle, Mandri, Bhutti, Nikkikair, Awera, Dhundar, Cheran, Makhdomkot, Chattar, Adyala Paddar, Lober, and Patrata.

In Kotli District their villages include Punjan Bala, Sabazkot, Chorohi, Senyah, Kaladab, Palal Rajgaan and Khoi Ratta.

In the Bhimber and Mirpur districts, their villages include Tander, Haripur and Danna Broh. A small number of Narmas are also settled in Sudhnuti and Poonch Districts.

Like most Pakistan occupied Kashmiris, they speak the Pahari language.

Qureshi

The Qureshi (or Quraishi) claim Arab ancestry. Other than the Bomba and Awan, who both claim Arab ancestry, the Kundalshahi community in Neelum District are also Qureshi.

Rachyal

The Rachyal are a clan of Dogra ancestry found mainly in Mirpur District. Their largest settlement is that of Panyam, Poth, Chamba, near Chakswari in Mirpur District. Like other Pakistan occupied Kashmiri, they speak the Pahari language. A large majority of the Rachyal live in United Kingdom; they are present in Bradford, Birmingham, Halifax and Luton.

Rathore

The Rathore (or Rathor / Rathur / Rathod / Rathour) are a large Rajput clan found throughout Pakistan occupied Kashmir, with concentrations in Bagh District and Kotli District. Nakar Bandi in Bagh District is an important village. In addition to the Pahari speaking Rathore Rajputs, there are communities of Hindko-speaking Rathore in Muzaffarabad.

Sakhial Rajputs

The Sakhial are a Rajput tribe found mainly in Mirpur District of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They own a group of villages including Kathar Dilawar in Dadyal, Mirpur District.[14] They are Pahari-speaking.

Sohlan (Solhan) Rajputs

The Sohlan are a Rajput clan found mainly in Mirpur District. Their villages in Mirpur include Khari Sharif, Mehmunpur, Ghaseetpur Sohalian, Dalyala, Bani, Sahang and New Jabot, Kutla Muzaffarabad Like other Mirpur Rajputs, they speak the Pahari language.

Sayyid

Many people belonging to the Sayyid tribe are found in Bagh, Rawalakot,Abbaspur, Kotli, Kahuta, and Muzzafarabad. They are descended from the Islamic prophet Mohammed, the only Sayyid tribes who actually came in Kashmir[clarification needed] were Jafri-al-Gardezis,Hamdanis, Gailanis and Bukharis.

Sudhan

The Sudhan tribe has a bright history and is the most influential tribe in Azad Kashmir. According to historians, these people came from Ghazni. The founder-President of Azad Kashmir, Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, was a Sudhan. Poonch and Sudhnoti are the main Azad Kashmir districts populated by the Sudhan tribe. In 1956 the Pakistani Government ordered the Punjab Constabulary (PC) to attack Sudhans, and Sudhans fought with the Pakistani Government and the PC. The population of Poonch/Sudhnati Districts is almost entirely Sudhan, which makes them the most concentrated of the Azad Kashmir tribes. The Sudhan claim descent from the Sadozai Pashtun. Some Sudhans are also settled in Bagh District. They are Pahari-speaking.

Sulehria

The Sulehria are a tribe of Rajputs. They are found in Kotli, Poonch, Bagh and Muzaffarabad Districts.

Thathal

The Thathal are a Jat clan found in Mirpur and in Kashmir. Ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan occupied Kashmir Sultan Mahmood is from this tribe.

Tarkhan

The Tarkhan are largely carpenters by profession. Most Tarkhans are of Mughal ancestry. They reside mainly in Bhimber, Mipur and Kotli Districts.

Turk

Scattered population of Karlugh Turks is found in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, particularly in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining villages like Thangar Shawai, Shaheed Gali, Chanjal Pathika, Gari Dupattha, Chinari, Leepa Valley, Karnah, Kahori, Bheri and Sanweyari. They have migrated from Mansehra, Abbottabad, Behali and Haripur areas. They are entitled to use the prefix 'Raja' which was the name given to their ancestors while their rule in Pakhli state of current Hazara region of N.W.F.P Pakistan whereas some Turks are known by surname 'Usmani'.

Teli

The Teli were traditionally oil pressers, and are found throughout Pakistan occupied Kashmir.They are now using malik, khan, syed, minhas etc. with their names.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.ajk.gov.pk/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2256&Itemid=144
  2. ^ Paul Moss (30 November 2006). "The limits to integration". BBC.
  3. ^ Shaikhs in South Asia :Shaikhs_in_South_Asia
  4. ^ Gazetteer of the Gujrat District, 1921
  5. ^ http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11156/section/4
  6. ^ Kumarpala Charita of Jayasimha
  7. ^ Prithviraj Raso of Chandbardai
  8. ^ Dhangar Samaj Prachin Eitihas va Kul Gotra, Ganpatrao Kolekar, 1992. (Marathi)
  9. ^ Dhangar samajachi gotre, Ganpatrao Kolekar, 1981 (Marathi)
  10. ^ Hamara Samaj, Bharat ke Meshpal, 1973 (Hindi)
  11. ^ Holkaron Ka Eithihas, Madhusudanrao Holkar (Hindi), 2000
  12. ^ The primary source of information is also from the Mendjogis (Genealogist), who keep the records of Dhangar families.
  13. ^ Imperial Gazetteer
  14. ^ Punjabi Musalmans by J M Wikely
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