Bar Region
The tribes of the Bar Region of the Punjab in Pakistan reside on agricultural land that, before being cleared in the nineteenth century for the canal irrigation system, were thick barren forest areas which covered parts of central Punjab. The soil of the Bar Region is fertile. The plains have been made by the alluvium driven by rivers flowing from the Himalayas. The Bar is further divided into four regions: the Sandal Bar (the area between the Ravi and Chenab rivers), Kirana Bar (the area between the Chenab and Ravi rivers), Neeli Bar (the area between the Ravi and Sutlej rivers) and Ganji Bar (the area between the Sutlej and dry river bed of the Hakra).
Most of the Bar now forms part of the modern Faisalabad, Tob Tek Singh, Okara, Vehari, Khanewal, Pakpattan and Sahiwal districts.
Tribes of the Bar
The Bar region was inhabited by a number of pastoral tribes that went by the common name Jat. Captain Mounstuart Elphinstone, the first British district administrator of the Bar, wrote the following in his district settlement report:[1]
The population is distinctly divided into marked sections - the purely agriculture inhabitants and the pastoral tribes. The former consist of the castes, both Muhammadan and Hindu, which are generally met throughout Eastern Punjab, viz Arain, Kamboh, Hindu Jat, e.t.c But the latter are almost entirely confined to the region which extends from the southern extremity of Multan District to within thirty miles of Lahore. They are all Muhammadans, and their favourite occupation is breeding and grazing cattle. They are locally known by the name of Jat, in contradistinction to more settled inhabitants, who call themselves ryots or subjects. The most important tribes are the Kharals, Fattianas, Murdanas, Kathias, Dullus Wahiniwals, Baghelas, Wattus ad Johiyas. The two latter are chiefly confined to the Sutlej, but the others only possess land on the Ravi, and graze their herds in the Doabs adjoining that river"".
Unfortunately however these distinctions were made by the visiting British who could not clearly understand the local culture. These local tribes are referred by the migrants from East Punjab as Janglis or people of the jungle, whereas they refer to the migrants as Panahgir or refugee. They are termed Jats metaphorically only.
Starting with the Lower Chenab colony, the British administration in the 19th century began a process of large scale canal building, which ultimately resulted in the loss of the pastoral lands that had belonged to the tribes.[2]
Tribes of the Neeli Bar
This Bar is situated between the rivers Ravi and Satluj. It now forms parts of Khanewal, Sahiwal, Okara, Vehari and Pakpattan districts. People living near both banks of River Ravi in Bar region of the Punjab are known as People of Ravi (Ravi de lok), particularly Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Mian Channu, Okara, Jaranwala, Toba Take Singh and Kamalia. Similarly, people living near both banks of River Chenab are known as people of Chanab (Chanaa de lok)
Arar
The Arar are a Jat tribe found mainly in Dipalpur in Okara District and also in Minchinabad in Bahawalnagar District. They claim to have originally been Mughals, who settled in the northern end of the Bar in the 15th century.
Arain
The Arains are most populated tribe in the rigion. Mostly Arain families were moved in this area after the Independence of Pakistan in 1947 from East Punjab. Arain is a big Muslim Tribe found with large population in almost all the parts of Pakistan and with significant numbers in India, Kashmir, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. They are mostly Landlords or Zimindars and also in Army, Education, Business and Government Services Professions. They have Arab background and came in India as the Soldiers of Muhammad bin Qasim's Army in 712 AD.[3][4][5][6] They have many Sub-Castes but mostly known as Chaudhry, Mian, Mehar, Bhutto, Malik, Ramay, Bhutta, Sardar, Ramday, Rattay, Kardar, Ghurki, Shami, Hijazi, Saleemi, Sheikh, Shah, Jattala and Hansi Siyal. Arains are Suni Muslims but can be also found in Shia Muslims and Large Number in Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Baluch
The Baluch in the Neeli Bar were found in what is now Okara and Pakpattan. They appear to have the country at the time of the Langah monarchy, or a little earlier, about the first quarter of the 15th century.One Kamal Khan Baluch, held a large tract of country between the Ravi river and the central ridge from Shergarh to Waliwala. The Sahiwal District Baloch belong chiefly to the Hooth and Rind tribes. Those of Gugera are mainly Lashari; and those of Pakpattan are Rind and Lashari. In addition to these tribes, the Murdana are a large Baluch tribe, occupying the country between Gugera and Harrapa. Their villages are now found mainly along the Lower Bari Canal.
Bodla
The Bodla are Siddiquis, who were found in the country between Dipalpur and Pakpattan. Like other Bar tribes, they were purely pastoral.
Chishti
The Chisty tribe had particular sanctity, as they claim descent from the famous Sufi saint Baba Farid. They were (and still are) found in and around Pakpattan town, although like other Bar nomads, their lands are now home to colonists belonging to various tribes, settled by the British in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Dhudhi
The Dhudhi claim Panwar Rajput ancestry, and their traditional habitat was close to the city of Pakpattan.
Hans
The Hans are a tribe of who claim Quraishi ancestry. Found in a few villages in Okara District, the main one being Pakka Sidhar. http://sites.google.com/site/hansasif
Johiya
The Johiya are an extensive tribe on the lower Sutlej, occupying both banks of the river from Mandi Ahmedabad all the way to Pakpattan, and Bahawalnagar on the other side of the Satluj
Kathia
The Kathia are one of the larger of the Bar nomads, who were found on both banks of the Ravi River. They claimed to have been Panwar Rajputs, who arrived from Kathiawar, in what is now Gujerat. The Kathia are now found mainly in Sahiwal, Khanewal, and also in the Sandal Bar.
Dullu
The Dullu claim Rajput ancestry from Bhatti Rajputs. They are one of the main jat tribes of the Bar nomads, who were found on the bank of Ravi River. They also claimed to have been descendants of Chandarma Rajputs. The Dullu like Kathia, Haraj, Sanpal are known by sir name Mahers are now found mainly in Tehsil Mianchannu Khanewal, Their main occupation is Agriculture and Breeding cattle. In older times they were being remembered by "Janglies" People of the jungle. Their Main ancestors are Aryans in the reign of Emperor Chanderagupta moria.
Khagga
The Khagga are found along the valley of the Ravi in what is now Okara and Sahiwal districts. They claim descent from the Qureshi Arabs
Kharal
The Kharal claim descent from the famous Rajah Karan of the Mahabharat. His descendents left Hastinapur and came to Uch, near Multan, where they were converted to Islam by the famous Sufi saint Makhdum Jahania Shah.Now they are living in District, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Hafizabad, Okara, Nankana, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala,Bahawal Nagar, Chistian. They have the following sub-divisions: Rubera, Gugera, Bhandara, Sahi, Peroka, Saboka, Jaloka, Bashera, Purbera, Kalera, Ransinh and Jalabkay Randow Randow Rajput is the sub branch of kharal, kharal are panwar rajput, which belong to agnivanshi-paramar rajput.befor partition they were setteled in in sirsa and other part of Indian punjab they were land lord there after migretion they move toward punjab of Pakistan and setteled in shewal, qadar abad, pakpatan and in other part of punjab and they are lord of their respective areas now they are well setteled and well educated sub cast of rajput note-able personalities 1-Rai Khushi Muhammad Khan Randow 2-rai abdul haq randow <ref/ a glassory of tribes and castes of punjab>
Lakhan
- The Lakhan are claim descent from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. They are mostly found in Gurdaspur, Batala, Faisalabad and Gujrat districts and Neeli Bar region.
Langrial
The Langrial claim descent from jatts families, who immigrated to the lower part of the Neeli Bar in the 18th Century, after converting to Islam. The Langrial are late comers to the Bar, and the tribe is found in numbers in the Pothohar region, and other parts of northern Punjab.
Manes
The Manes or Manais is a jatt tribe who are racially connected to Bhatti and Wattu clans.They are mainly found around daik or deg river in vincity of sheikhupura,nankana sahib,dipalpur,sahiwal districts.
Syal
The Sial of the Neeli Bar are divided into two clans, the Fattiana and Tahrana. They claim to be Panwar Jats, Rai Siyal, from who the clan gets its name was the son of the Rai Shankar, the famous Parmar ruler of Malwa.
Waince
The Wains are also immigrants from the north, and claim to have been originally Jatt wainces. They occupy the southern most portion of the Bar, and their villages are not far from city of Multan.
Trohle (Jats)
Trohle tribe is one of the main tribes of Multan. The Trohle are settled on both banks of Ravi and Sutlej river. They are found in Multan, Vehari, Pakpatan, Toba Tak Singh, Jhang, Sahiwal, Faislabad and in the province of Sindh. The main clans are Trihly, Tarwaly and Tanoli.
Wattu
The Wattu occupy both banks of the Sutlej river for about sixty miles south of Gugera. They claim kinship with the Bhatti Rajputs jats, and still form a considerable part of the population of Okara District.
Other clans
Other than these clans, the following clans were also found in the Neeli Bar, the Bhati, Dogar, Naul, Sahu, Baluch, Daher, Jamu, Hindal, Baori, Nonari, Wasli, Langah, Sangla, Mohal and Phullarwan.
Tribes of the Sandal Bar
This Bar is situated between the rivers Ravi and Chenab, and now forms parts of Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, and parts of Jhang districts.The main tribes of the Kirana Bar were as follows:[7]
SAMOR(Mahar)
Samore are belong to sandal bar.Now they are living in Sahiwal Chak NO. 98/9L Thesial Arifwala & Harrapa,Fasalabad, Sargodha, Thariwah Sindh & Sindh, Jhang & other.Samor mean In English some more in Persian means a deer and in Latin language animal skin and in punjabi brave. Thy are mostley live in village & some one in Pak Army but mostely are Zemidar & interested in Horses & the prince of Pakistan.The Sub-caste Mahar.
Marath
The Marath of the Sandal Bar belonged principally to three big tribes, the Raiy, Mahar tribe,and Choudhary tribe. The Raiy are the most numerous.[8] Marath appear to have come into the Bar early in the 14th century. The Marath(Mahar tribe) occupied the country between Jhang and T.T.Sing, they were also settled in Jhang, Chniot, Faisalabad and Marath ( Choudhary Tribe) is settled in Sargodha and Gujrat. The settlement of Marath Tribes at Chak 429JB Tajpushipur, in Toba Tek Singh District, is all showes that remains of the Marath presence in that region.
The Marath( Raiy tribe) also had a presence on the Ravi side of the Bar, and many are now found in villages along the Kamalia, and Jhang Branch canals.
Chadhar
The Chadhar are found in numbers in what is now the Shorkot Tehsil of Jhang District. They claim to be to be jatt, and a large number of sub-divisions. Their main sub-division in the Bar are the Jappa, Rajoke, Sajanke and Kangars.
Arain
The Arains are the most Populated Tribe of the Rigion. Large Number of Arain families moved in this area after the Independence of Pakistan in 1947 from the Districts of East Punjab. Arain or Alrai are the largest Muslim tribe of Pakistan. They are found All Over the Pakistan Specialy in Punjab and Sindh with big Population. They are also found in Kashmir, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Middle East, Africa, North America, Australia and Europe with significant numbers. The Arains are an Arab Tribe and came to India in 712 AD as a part of Muhammad bin Qasim's Army and settled in India after defeated Raja Dahir's Army.[4][5][9][10][11] Arains are mostly Suni Muslims but can be also found in Shia Muslims and Large Number in Ahmadi Muslims.
Haral
The Haral villages are found mainly along the Rakh Branch canal, and claim to be a clan of the great Ahir tribe of North India. They were pastorolists, and famous for their large herds.
Johiya
The Johiya claim kinshipwith the Bhatti Rajputs, and were also found along the valley of the Ravi, and still form a considerable element in the present Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad District. Their main clans are the Maneka, Matiana and Mamoonka.
Kharal
The Kharal are the most northerly and largest of the great Ravi tribes.[7] In the Bar, the Upera clan predominates, being found in and around Chak Jhumra, Danabad,chak 355 G.B.(Bagay Da Chak)jaranwala and Lundianwala. The Kharal occupy most the villages on the northern portion of the Burala branch canal.
Kodhan(Mehar)
The Kodhan are small clan of jat. This caste is on the name of the leader of one the kokhar tribe. Basically they belong to Kokhar Qutab Shahi. They are mostly found in Jhang, Nawan lahore, Shorkot city, Khenawal, Multan, T.T.Singh and Rahim Yar Khan districts.They were closely associated with Khatias and Syals and migrated to Sandal bar with Khatias from Neeli bar in 18th century.Name mehar is sirname of Kodhans given to them by English rulers.
Lak
The Lak are a small tribe of Panwar Rajput ancestry. They were found mainly along the Chenab, until they were expelled by the Siyals. Now more of an Kirana Bar tribe, they still have few settlements near Kot Lakhnana.
Naul
The Naul is a Rajput tribe mostly native to Rajistan, India, and Punjab, Pakistan. In India and Sindh.They are in Kasur, Jhang, Liya, Khanewal, chichawatni onward.
Sipra
The Sipra, who are a branch of the Gill, were always closely associated with the Siyal. They are now found mainly in the Shorkot Tehsil of Jhang District.
Syal
The Sial were found throughout the lower part of the Sandal Bar. The chief clan of the Sials in the Bar were the Bhowana. Other Sial clans, which found in the Bar were the Gagrana, Chuchkana, Maghiana, Bhojuana, Patuana, Vijlana, Khanuana, Ali-Khanan, Rajbana, Fatyana, Marjana, Hasnana, Kauriana, Dhiduana, Ladhiana, Lakhnana, Kamlana, Tarhana, Ogoana, Sabana, Heraj, Bahar and Bharwana.
Wagha
The Wagha are found in the northern end of the Bar, in what is now Nankana Sahib District. Like many other Bar nomads, they claim Panwar Rajput ancestry. The Wagha comes from a strong Jutt Tribute Such as Panwar, just because they were belongs to Pakistan and now they are very few in Punjab, Pakistan. Strong and powerful Wagha was Mohabbat Ali Khaan Wagha, He ruled the district of shiekhopura Since 1760 to 1810. after him they were separated. His son named Ghulam Ali Wagha was a well known person and in Mid Nineties he became A Federal minister,They were a strong Britain Supporters Since Mohabat khan came they gone against British government they fought and few of early time Waghas became patriots. and they are very few now.
Waseer
The Waseer also claim Panwar Rajput ancestry. They wwre settled around the what is now the city of Faisalabad. Their villages are still found near this moden city.
Other clans
Tribes of the Kirana Bar
Kirana Bar is a portion of the Chej Doab, and takes its name from the Kirana Hills. This region is divided between the Sargodha and Jhang districts of Punjab, Pakistan. This area starts from the northwest of Hissár country near the bank of river Chenab with an abrupt high ridge and this high bank of bar dies away a little distance east of the boundary of between the Chiniot and Jhang tehsils, opposite the village of Kot Mohla.
(Note: Some of the Jat tribes listed above are also present in other social and ethnic groups).
References
- ^ Report on the Revised Land Revenue Settlement of the Montgomery District 1878, fn, W. E. Purser, C. A. Roe.
- ^ Agrarian Society of the Punjab 1849-1901 by Himadri Banerjee Manohar Publications
- ^ Chaudhry Asghar Ali (1989). Tareekh-e-Arain. Ilmi Kitab Khana Lahore.
- ^ a b Chaudhry Muhammad Idrees (2001). Sham Ta Multan.
- ^ a b Title:Karwan-e-Araian by Abdul Hamid Sabir
- ^ Aina Haqeeqat Numa by Maulana Akbar Shah Khan pages 126,127
- ^ a b Gazetteer of the Chenab Colony, Vol. 31A, 1904. Lahore: Civil and Military Gazette Press
- ^ Gazetteer of the Chenab Colony, Vol. 31A, 1904. Lahore: Civil and Military Gazette Press page 55
- ^ .Chaudhry Asghar Ali (1989). Tareekh-e-Arain. Ilmi Kitab Khana Lahore.
- ^ Aina Haqeeqat Numa by Maulana Akbar Shah Khan
- ^ Title:Saleem ul Tawareekh by Sufi Muhammad Akbar Ali Jalundhry (1919)