Pahari Rajput
Encyclopedia
The term Pahari Rajput refers to a number of Pahari
-speaking Rajput
clans found along the southern slopes of the Pir Panjal in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir
, Pakistani administered Kashmir
, Himachal Pradesh
and Uttarakhand
.
About 5,0000 Rajputs reside in Azad Kashmir
, with the central districts of Poonch
, Bagh
and Kotli
being home to a large number of Rajput
clans.Pahari
speaking Rajput clans are also found in Rajauri, Poonch
, Udhampur
and Reasi
districts in Indian administered Kashmir. The largest population is found in Garhwal
and Kumaon
areas of Uttarakhand
, where close to 4 million reside. Himachal Pradesh
is home to 2 million Pahari Rajputs.
Muslims Rajput presently commonly known as KHAN are living in wide area of Poonch Rajouri District and Uri sector of Kashmir Valley. Pahari has their own identity, their life style cultute, Housing pattern and way of life. In Tehsil surankote of District Poonch and Mendhar Tehsil Number of Muslims pahari speaking people living. Lassana, Dhumdak, sanai Fazalabad, bhella, and most part of mendhaer tehsil,
The Jammu
Region, which is one of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir state (the other two being the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh
), is bounded on the North by the Pir Panjal Range of the middle Himalayas
, in the south by Punjab, to the East by Ladakh and close to the West in Pakistan
. The lower Himalayan ranges begin suddenly behind the town of Jammu, which is placed on a slope of over 1300 feet above sea level, overlooking and commanding the plain watered by the Chenab, Ravi
, Tawi
and Ujh rivers. The city of Jammu is the winter capital of the state (the summer capital being Srinagar
, in the Kashmir Valley).
The Rajput
population in Jammu
was thickest around the Mughal
road leading from the plains of western Punjab
into Kashmir
, through the Bhimber
-Rajauri
-Shupian route across the Pir Panjal. This was the route historically used by various Muslim armies on their march to Kashmir. The first Rajput
chiefs said to have embraced were those of the Khokhar
tribe. One of their chief Khokhar Rai, according to the Tabakat-i-Nasiri had embraced Islam
in the time of Mohammed Ghori. Manhas and Sulehria
Rajputs became Muslim
s in large numbers on the borders of Jammu in the region called Salahar-Tappa and Manhas-Tappa. Communities such as the Jarral
, Sulehria
, Mangral
, Bhao
and Manhas converted in large numbers in the 16th Century. The territory between Tawi
and Jhelum
, became known as the Chibhal, after the largest tribe in the region, the Chib
. With their conversion to Islam
, many other clans such as the Bhawpal
, Sau and Kamlak also converted to Islam
.In the pre-independence period the Muslim Rajput population was more than double that of the Hindu
Rajputs.
After the division of the Jammu region in 1948, areas around Mirpur, Bhimber
, Kotli
, and Poonch became part of Azad Kashmir, while other areas such as Reasi
, Rajauri
, Nawshehra fell under Indian administration. Thus the Pahari Rajput community is now divided by the line of control
.
HISTORY OF POONCH
Poonch has witnessed many historical era. Around 326 BC when Alexander the Great invaded the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as Dravabhisar. In 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveller Huien Tsang passed through this area. According to his observation, this region was known as Part of Kashmir. Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader. According to Rajtrangani Raja Trilochan Pal of Poonch gave a tough fight to Mahmood Ghazanavi who invaded this area in 1020 A.D. In 1596, Mughal King Jahangir made Siraj-Ud-Din ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and his descendent Raja Shahbaz Khan, Raja Abdul Razak, Raja Rustam Khan and Raja Khan Bahadur Khan ruled this area up to 1792 AD. In 1819 this area was captured by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and it remained under the occupation of Khalsa Darbar of Lahore till 1850.
In 1850 Raja Moti Singh who was son of Raja Dhayan Singh, the Prime Minister of Khalsa Darbar set up its separate Principality known as Poonch state. This dogra dynasty ruled Poonch state.
Sheesh Mahal
[ Photograph : Mahrajkar Singh Isher
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri ]
from 1850 to 1947 when the traumatic events of partition of the country affected this area. Half of the Tehsil of Haveli (85 villages out of 173), some part of tehsil Mendhar (14 villages out of 99) and whole of Bagh tehsil (113 villages) and tehsil Sadhnuti (101 villages) of Poonch state were grabbed by the raiders from Pakistan.
The era from 1850 to 1947 is considered as the Golden Period of the history of Poonch. The Principality of Poonch got status of a state from British Raj in 1901 AD during the reign of Raja Baldev Singh. The rule of Raja Moti Singh, Baldev Singh, Sukhdev
Singh, Jagatdev Singh.The rule of Raja Moti Singh, Baldev Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Jagatdev Singh and Raja Shiv Rattan Dev Singh witnessed all round development of Poonch state. The historic Poonch fort was renovated and redesigned. Town Hall and Court building were constructed on the line of Mubarak Mandi of Jammu, Fountain garden Poonch was established on the pattern of Shalimar Garden of Kashmir,. Baghi Khanna, Bagh Deodi the gateway of city and number of other buildings were also constructed. Palaces of rulers called Baldev Mahal, Moti Mahal and Sheesh Mahal reflected the aesthetic of the rulers. A number of temples, mosques and gurdwaras also emerged during these years.
ALTAF HUSSAIN
and 6 Muslim
) that formed the State of Jammu following the conquest of Kashmir by Raja Ranjit Singh in 1820. Of these 6 Muslim
states, two (Kotli
and Poonch
) were ruled by Mangral
s, two (Bhimber
and Khari-Khariyala) were ruled by Chib
s, one (Rajouri) was ruled by the Jarral
s and one (Kishtwar
) was ruled by the Kishtwaria
. Of these 22 states, 21 formed a pact with Ranjit Singh and formed the State of Jammu. Only Poonch ruled by the Mangrals retained a state of semi-autonomy. Following the War of 1947 Poonch was divided and is now split between Pakistan Administered Kashmir Poonch District (AJK) and Indian Administered Kashmir Poonch
.
As stated in History of the Panjab Hill States by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel: "Kotli was founded about the fifteenth century by a branch of the royal family of Kashmir. Kotli and Punch remained independent until subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1815 and 1819 respectively."
The royal family of Kashmir which Hutchinson and Vogel are referring to is the family of Raja Mangar Pal the son of Raja Hani Dev and the ancestor of the Mangral rajput.
Kotli was historically known as Kotli Mangrallan.
There is a famous saying in Pahari
: "Kotli Mangrallan da, Rajouri Jarallan da, Bhimber Chiban da, Mirpur Gakharan da, Khari Sohlana da,
Jammu Jamwal aur Minhasan da,
Ram Garrh aur Salahr Sulehrian da.
Translation:
Pahari languages
The Pahari languages are a geographic group of Indic languages spoken in the lower ranges of the Himalayas, from Nepal in the east to the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in the west.-Classification:The Pahari languages fall into three groups:*Eastern, consisting...
-speaking Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans found along the southern slopes of the Pir Panjal in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
, Pakistani administered Kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
and Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
.
About 5,0000 Rajputs reside in Azad Kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
, with the central districts of Poonch
Poonch
Poonch is a town and a municipal committee in Poonch District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the Mahābhārata evidence, and the evidence from 7th Chinese traveler Xuanzang, the districts of Poonch along with Rajauri and Abhisara had been under the sway of the Republican Kambojas...
, Bagh
Bagh District
Bagh District is one of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The district, which had been part of Poonch District, was created in 1988...
and Kotli
Kotli District
Kotli is one of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Kotli the chief town of the district, was originally a minor town between Mirpur and Muzaffarabad, but has recently seen major growth.- Administration :...
being home to a large number of Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans.Pahari
Pahari languages
The Pahari languages are a geographic group of Indic languages spoken in the lower ranges of the Himalayas, from Nepal in the east to the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in the west.-Classification:The Pahari languages fall into three groups:*Eastern, consisting...
speaking Rajput clans are also found in Rajauri, Poonch
Poonch
Poonch is a town and a municipal committee in Poonch District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the Mahābhārata evidence, and the evidence from 7th Chinese traveler Xuanzang, the districts of Poonch along with Rajauri and Abhisara had been under the sway of the Republican Kambojas...
, Udhampur
Udhampur
Udhampur is a city and a municipal council in Udhampur District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the second lardest city of Duggardesh region and the fourth largest city in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It serves as the district capital and the Northern Command headquarter of the...
and Reasi
Reasi
Reasi is a town and a notified area committee, tehsil and now a district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated at the bank of River Chenab. Reasi derived its name from its old name "RASYAL".Rasyal is a caste belongs to Rajput Category. In the eighth century Reasi was called...
districts in Indian administered Kashmir. The largest population is found in Garhwal
Garhwal Division
Garhwal is the north-western region and administrative division of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand which is home to the Garhwali people. Lying in the Himalayas, It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state, and on the north-west by...
and Kumaon
Kumaon Division
For Kumaoni/Kumauni People see Kumauni PeopleKumaon or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar...
areas of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
, where close to 4 million reside. Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
is home to 2 million Pahari Rajputs.
Muslims Rajput presently commonly known as KHAN are living in wide area of Poonch Rajouri District and Uri sector of Kashmir Valley. Pahari has their own identity, their life style cultute, Housing pattern and way of life. In Tehsil surankote of District Poonch and Mendhar Tehsil Number of Muslims pahari speaking people living. Lassana, Dhumdak, sanai Fazalabad, bhella, and most part of mendhaer tehsil,
The Rajputs of the Jammu region
Jammu
Jammu , also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India.Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir...
Region, which is one of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir state (the other two being the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh
Ladakh
Ladakh is a region of Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of the Republic of India. It lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent...
), is bounded on the North by the Pir Panjal Range of the middle Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
, in the south by Punjab, to the East by Ladakh and close to the West in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The lower Himalayan ranges begin suddenly behind the town of Jammu, which is placed on a slope of over 1300 feet above sea level, overlooking and commanding the plain watered by the Chenab, Ravi
Ravi River
The Ravi is a trans-boundary river flowing through Northwestern India and eastern Pakistan. It is one of the six rivers of the Indus System in Punjab region ....
, Tawi
Tawi River
The Tawi is a river that flows through the city of Jammu. Tawi river is also considered sacred and holy, as is generally the case with most rivers in India....
and Ujh rivers. The city of Jammu is the winter capital of the state (the summer capital being Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar is the summer seasonal capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. It is one of the largest cities in India not to have a Hindu majority. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats...
, in the Kashmir Valley).
The Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
population in Jammu
Jammu
Jammu , also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India.Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir...
was thickest around the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
road leading from the plains of western Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
into Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
, through the Bhimber
Bhimber
Bhimber is the chief town of Bhimber District, Azad Kashmir. The town is situated on the border between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan at a distance of about 50 km from Mirpur, about 48 km from Gujrat and about 166 km from Islamabad.-History:...
-Rajauri
Rajauri
Rajouri is a town and a notified area committee in Rajouri district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.- Introduction :The District drives its name from Rajouri town which itself had been historically known as Rajapuri/Rajapura. Rajouri District had been part of Poonch district prior to 1967...
-Shupian route across the Pir Panjal. This was the route historically used by various Muslim armies on their march to Kashmir. The first Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
chiefs said to have embraced were those of the Khokhar
Khokhar
The Khokhar or Khokar are a people of Punjab region of Pakistan and north-western India. According to H. A. Rose they are the gotra of Rajput, Jat, Arain, Nai, and Churah. According to Denzil Ibbetson, they are also a gotra of the Tarkhan and Khatri tribes. The Khokhars were designated as an...
tribe. One of their chief Khokhar Rai, according to the Tabakat-i-Nasiri had embraced Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
in the time of Mohammed Ghori. Manhas and Sulehria
Sulehria
The Suleria are a clan of Chandravanshi Rajputs. The Sikh and Hindu Sulehria live in India. The Muslim Sulehria are considered a clan of Muslim Rajputs and nearly all live in Pakistan...
Rajputs became Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s in large numbers on the borders of Jammu in the region called Salahar-Tappa and Manhas-Tappa. Communities such as the Jarral
Jarral
The Jarral Rajputs are a Muslim Rajput tribe of Azad Kashmir and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. They are well known for being the last longest ruling royal dynasty of Rajouri in Kashmir which only ended in the mid 19th century with the advent of the British Raj.They hold the title of Raja, which is...
, Sulehria
Sulehria
The Suleria are a clan of Chandravanshi Rajputs. The Sikh and Hindu Sulehria live in India. The Muslim Sulehria are considered a clan of Muslim Rajputs and nearly all live in Pakistan...
, Mangral
Mangral
The Mangral are a Rajput warrior clan and the historical founders and rulers of Kotli and Poonch. Their ancestor Raja Mangar Pal was the founder of the City of Kotli in modern Azad Kashmir...
, Bhao
Bhao
The Bhao or sometime pronounced Bahu are a Rajput clan, found in Punjab, Pakistan as well as both Indian administered Jammu & Kashmir as well as Azad Kashmir.- History & Origins :...
and Manhas converted in large numbers in the 16th Century. The territory between Tawi
Tawi River
The Tawi is a river that flows through the city of Jammu. Tawi river is also considered sacred and holy, as is generally the case with most rivers in India....
and Jhelum
Jhelum River
Jehlum River or Jhelum River , ) is a river that flows in India and Pakistan. It is the largest and most western of the five rivers of Punjab, and passes through Jhelum District...
, became known as the Chibhal, after the largest tribe in the region, the Chib
Chib
The Chib Rajput , is a Chandravanshi Rajput clan found in the northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are mostly a Kashmiri or Punjabi tribe found in both India and Pakistan...
. With their conversion to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, many other clans such as the Bhawpal
Bhawpal
Bhawpal or sometime pronounced Bhopal, are a Rajput clan that form part of group of tribes that form the Chibhali community. They are found mainly in a region known as Chibhal, that lies on the southern slopes of the Shivalik hills between the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, in the Jammu and Kashmir...
, Sau and Kamlak also converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
.In the pre-independence period the Muslim Rajput population was more than double that of the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Rajputs.
After the division of the Jammu region in 1948, areas around Mirpur, Bhimber
Bhimber
Bhimber is the chief town of Bhimber District, Azad Kashmir. The town is situated on the border between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan at a distance of about 50 km from Mirpur, about 48 km from Gujrat and about 166 km from Islamabad.-History:...
, Kotli
Kotli
Kotli is the chief town of Kotli District, in the Pakistani-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Kotli is linked with Mirpur by two metalled roads, one via Rajdhani, and the other via Charhoi...
, and Poonch became part of Azad Kashmir, while other areas such as Reasi
Reasi
Reasi is a town and a notified area committee, tehsil and now a district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated at the bank of River Chenab. Reasi derived its name from its old name "RASYAL".Rasyal is a caste belongs to Rajput Category. In the eighth century Reasi was called...
, Rajauri
Rajauri
Rajouri is a town and a notified area committee in Rajouri district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.- Introduction :The District drives its name from Rajouri town which itself had been historically known as Rajapuri/Rajapura. Rajouri District had been part of Poonch district prior to 1967...
, Nawshehra fell under Indian administration. Thus the Pahari Rajput community is now divided by the line of control
Line of Control
The term Line of Control refers to the military control line between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir—a line which, to this day, does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary but is the de facto border...
.
HISTORY OF POONCH
Poonch has witnessed many historical era. Around 326 BC when Alexander the Great invaded the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as Dravabhisar. In 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveller Huien Tsang passed through this area. According to his observation, this region was known as Part of Kashmir. Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader. According to Rajtrangani Raja Trilochan Pal of Poonch gave a tough fight to Mahmood Ghazanavi who invaded this area in 1020 A.D. In 1596, Mughal King Jahangir made Siraj-Ud-Din ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and his descendent Raja Shahbaz Khan, Raja Abdul Razak, Raja Rustam Khan and Raja Khan Bahadur Khan ruled this area up to 1792 AD. In 1819 this area was captured by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and it remained under the occupation of Khalsa Darbar of Lahore till 1850.
In 1850 Raja Moti Singh who was son of Raja Dhayan Singh, the Prime Minister of Khalsa Darbar set up its separate Principality known as Poonch state. This dogra dynasty ruled Poonch state.
Sheesh Mahal
[ Photograph : Mahrajkar Singh Isher
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri ]
from 1850 to 1947 when the traumatic events of partition of the country affected this area. Half of the Tehsil of Haveli (85 villages out of 173), some part of tehsil Mendhar (14 villages out of 99) and whole of Bagh tehsil (113 villages) and tehsil Sadhnuti (101 villages) of Poonch state were grabbed by the raiders from Pakistan.
The era from 1850 to 1947 is considered as the Golden Period of the history of Poonch. The Principality of Poonch got status of a state from British Raj in 1901 AD during the reign of Raja Baldev Singh. The rule of Raja Moti Singh, Baldev Singh, Sukhdev
Singh, Jagatdev Singh.The rule of Raja Moti Singh, Baldev Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Jagatdev Singh and Raja Shiv Rattan Dev Singh witnessed all round development of Poonch state. The historic Poonch fort was renovated and redesigned. Town Hall and Court building were constructed on the line of Mubarak Mandi of Jammu, Fountain garden Poonch was established on the pattern of Shalimar Garden of Kashmir,. Baghi Khanna, Bagh Deodi the gateway of city and number of other buildings were also constructed. Palaces of rulers called Baldev Mahal, Moti Mahal and Sheesh Mahal reflected the aesthetic of the rulers. A number of temples, mosques and gurdwaras also emerged during these years.
ALTAF HUSSAIN
The Punjab Hill States and Jammu
History of the Panjab Hill States by J. Hutchinson and J.P.Vogel lists a total of 22 states (16 HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and 6 Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
) that formed the State of Jammu following the conquest of Kashmir by Raja Ranjit Singh in 1820. Of these 6 Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
states, two (Kotli
Kotli
Kotli is the chief town of Kotli District, in the Pakistani-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Kotli is linked with Mirpur by two metalled roads, one via Rajdhani, and the other via Charhoi...
and Poonch
Poonch
Poonch is a town and a municipal committee in Poonch District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the Mahābhārata evidence, and the evidence from 7th Chinese traveler Xuanzang, the districts of Poonch along with Rajauri and Abhisara had been under the sway of the Republican Kambojas...
) were ruled by Mangral
Mangral
The Mangral are a Rajput warrior clan and the historical founders and rulers of Kotli and Poonch. Their ancestor Raja Mangar Pal was the founder of the City of Kotli in modern Azad Kashmir...
s, two (Bhimber
Bhimber
Bhimber is the chief town of Bhimber District, Azad Kashmir. The town is situated on the border between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan at a distance of about 50 km from Mirpur, about 48 km from Gujrat and about 166 km from Islamabad.-History:...
and Khari-Khariyala) were ruled by Chib
Chib
The Chib Rajput , is a Chandravanshi Rajput clan found in the northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are mostly a Kashmiri or Punjabi tribe found in both India and Pakistan...
s, one (Rajouri) was ruled by the Jarral
Jarral
The Jarral Rajputs are a Muslim Rajput tribe of Azad Kashmir and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. They are well known for being the last longest ruling royal dynasty of Rajouri in Kashmir which only ended in the mid 19th century with the advent of the British Raj.They hold the title of Raja, which is...
s and one (Kishtwar
Kishtwar
Kishtwar is a town and a notified area committee in Kishtwar District in Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of India.-Geography:Kishtwar is located at...
) was ruled by the Kishtwaria
Kishtwaria
The Kisthwaria are a Muslim Rajputs clan, found in Kishtwar District, in the Jammu and Kashmir territory. They are clan of Chandravanshi Rajputs, who form part of the Jasrotia tribe...
. Of these 22 states, 21 formed a pact with Ranjit Singh and formed the State of Jammu. Only Poonch ruled by the Mangrals retained a state of semi-autonomy. Following the War of 1947 Poonch was divided and is now split between Pakistan Administered Kashmir Poonch District (AJK) and Indian Administered Kashmir Poonch
Poonch
Poonch is a town and a municipal committee in Poonch District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the Mahābhārata evidence, and the evidence from 7th Chinese traveler Xuanzang, the districts of Poonch along with Rajauri and Abhisara had been under the sway of the Republican Kambojas...
.
As stated in History of the Panjab Hill States by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel: "Kotli was founded about the fifteenth century by a branch of the royal family of Kashmir. Kotli and Punch remained independent until subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1815 and 1819 respectively."
The royal family of Kashmir which Hutchinson and Vogel are referring to is the family of Raja Mangar Pal the son of Raja Hani Dev and the ancestor of the Mangral rajput.
Kotli was historically known as Kotli Mangrallan.
There is a famous saying in Pahari
Pahari languages
The Pahari languages are a geographic group of Indic languages spoken in the lower ranges of the Himalayas, from Nepal in the east to the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in the west.-Classification:The Pahari languages fall into three groups:*Eastern, consisting...
: "Kotli Mangrallan da, Rajouri Jarallan da, Bhimber Chiban da, Mirpur Gakharan da, Khari Sohlana da,
Jammu Jamwal aur Minhasan da,
Ram Garrh aur Salahr Sulehrian da.
Translation:
- KotliKotliKotli is the chief town of Kotli District, in the Pakistani-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Kotli is linked with Mirpur by two metalled roads, one via Rajdhani, and the other via Charhoi...
is ruled by the MangralMangralThe Mangral are a Rajput warrior clan and the historical founders and rulers of Kotli and Poonch. Their ancestor Raja Mangar Pal was the founder of the City of Kotli in modern Azad Kashmir... - Rajouri is ruled by the JarralJarralThe Jarral Rajputs are a Muslim Rajput tribe of Azad Kashmir and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. They are well known for being the last longest ruling royal dynasty of Rajouri in Kashmir which only ended in the mid 19th century with the advent of the British Raj.They hold the title of Raja, which is...
- BhimberBhimberBhimber is the chief town of Bhimber District, Azad Kashmir. The town is situated on the border between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan at a distance of about 50 km from Mirpur, about 48 km from Gujrat and about 166 km from Islamabad.-History:...
is ruled by the ChibChibThe Chib Rajput , is a Chandravanshi Rajput clan found in the northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are mostly a Kashmiri or Punjabi tribe found in both India and Pakistan... - Mirpur is ruled by the GakharGakharGakhar may refer to:*Gakhars, an ancient clan predominantly in present day Punjab, Pakistan.*Gakhar Hindus, the Hindu section of the Gakhar clan*Ghakhar Mandi, a small city in northeastern Punjab, Pakistan...
- Khari SharifKhari SharifKhari Sharif is an agricultural area in Mirpur District of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Broadly speaking, Alaqa-e-Khari refers to the fertile plains of Khari which exist between the hills of mirpur and the river Jhelum.Khari has some 80 small and large villages and one of the villages itself is known as...
is ruled by the SohlanSohlan* Sohlan , tribe of Azad Kashmir and adjacent areas* Sohlan,, village of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan... - Jummu is ruled by the JamwalJamwalJamwal is a suryavanshi Rajput clan of Chattari lineage in Jammu and Kashmir that claims solar origin by direct descent from Sri Rama Chandra of Raghav Rajput clan. Jamwal traditions state that their ancestor, Raja Agnigarba, came from Ayodhya and founded a small state on the banks of River Tawi...
*Salahr is ruled by the SulehriaSulehriaThe Suleria are a clan of Chandravanshi Rajputs. The Sikh and Hindu Sulehria live in India. The Muslim Sulehria are considered a clan of Muslim Rajputs and nearly all live in Pakistan...
Major Pahari Rajputs clans according to 1911 Census
The 1911 Census of India was the last one that collected information on the various clans of the Pahari Rajput. According to the 1911 Census of India, the main clans were:- BadhanBadhan (tribe)The Badhan are a Jat gotra found in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.-History and origin:The Badhan clan descends from the Saroa Rajputs. It is also claimed that they were the native people of Punjab region before the arrival of Aryans. After the arrival of Aryans they resisted the infiltration and...
(6,856) - Parihar Rajput(2346)
- BaisBais RajputThe Bais Rajput , are an ancient Rajput clan consisting of the wealthy, warriors, entrepreneurs and Zamindar .The Bais Rajput are one of the Chattis Rajkul - 36 Royal Rajput lineages...
(6,193) - BhaoBhaoThe Bhao or sometime pronounced Bahu are a Rajput clan, found in Punjab, Pakistan as well as both Indian administered Jammu & Kashmir as well as Azad Kashmir.- History & Origins :...
(592) - Bhatti (4,451)
- Bomba (1,462)
- Chambiyal (420)
- ChauhanChauhanChauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
(3,646) - ChibChibThe Chib Rajput , is a Chandravanshi Rajput clan found in the northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are mostly a Kashmiri or Punjabi tribe found in both India and Pakistan...
(9,665) - DograDograThe Dogras are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group in South Asia. Being a diversified group, the Dogras include both Savarnas such as Brahmins, Rajputs and Non-savarnas. The Dogras also incluide merchant castes such as Mahajans...
/ChattarChattarChattar Chattari, Chhatri or Chatri, is the mother caste of Suryavanshi Rajputs which originated from Rajputana . However, there are many gotras and sub-castes in other major dynasties which emerged from the Chattari lineage...
(42,970) - DomaalDomaal RajputsThe Domaal Rajputs are a Muslim Rajput tribe found principally in the divided district of Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as Rajouri District in Indian-administered Kashmir and Bagh District in Azad Kashmir....
(6,953) - DouliDouliFor Chinese name of the traditional East Asian hat see Douli The Douli is a caste , found mainly in both Indian Administered and Pakistani administered Poonch.- See also :"Douli sardars"...
(3,009) - Janjua (8,062)
- JarralJarralThe Jarral Rajputs are a Muslim Rajput tribe of Azad Kashmir and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. They are well known for being the last longest ruling royal dynasty of Rajouri in Kashmir which only ended in the mid 19th century with the advent of the British Raj.They hold the title of Raja, which is...
(8,506) - KhakhaKhakhaThe Khakha Rajputs of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan are clan of Muslim Rajputs who have inhabited the Kashmiri region since the 13th century after the conquer of Janjua warlord Raja Khakha of the region of Upper Jhelum Valley of Kashmir.They are a branch of the powerful Janjua Rajput dynasty of Northern...
(1,391) - KhokharKhokharThe Khokhar or Khokar are a people of Punjab region of Pakistan and north-western India. According to H. A. Rose they are the gotra of Rajput, Jat, Arain, Nai, and Churah. According to Denzil Ibbetson, they are also a gotra of the Tarkhan and Khatri tribes. The Khokhars were designated as an...
(7,736) - MangralMangralThe Mangral are a Rajput warrior clan and the historical founders and rulers of Kotli and Poonch. Their ancestor Raja Mangar Pal was the founder of the City of Kotli in modern Azad Kashmir...
(7,027) - Manhas (6,707)
- NarmaNarmaThe Narma are a Rajput tribe found in India and Pakistan.-References:*Glossary of tribes and castes by H.A.Rose*Punjabi Musalman, Lieut JM Wikeley*Narma Rajput Tribe...
(6,617) - SulehriaSulehriaThe Suleria are a clan of Chandravanshi Rajputs. The Sikh and Hindu Sulehria live in India. The Muslim Sulehria are considered a clan of Muslim Rajputs and nearly all live in Pakistan...
(4,996) - SauSauSAU may stand for:*Saint Ambrose University*Social Affairs Unit*Southern Adventist University*Southern Arkansas University*Southern Arkansas University Tech*Spring Arbor University*Sindh Agriculture UniversitySau is also the name of:...
(2,961) - Lalhal (5,087)
- Thakhar(10,451)
- other Clans(64,003)
See also
- MeoMeoMayo or Meo or Mewati is a prominent Muslim Rajput tribe from North-Western India. A considerable number of Meos migrated to Pakistan after independence in 1947 and now they are estimated to be over 12 million. In Pakistan, Meos have lost their distinct group identity and cultural traditions and...
- AheerAheerAheer is a Jat tribe found mainly in the western districts of Punjab and Sindh in Pakistan. -History and origin:The tribe is also known as Heer or Purewal depending on the dialect of the speaker. Those that tend to speak dialects of Lahanda, such as Seraiki or Pothari tend to refer to themselves...
- Muslim RajputsMuslim RajputsMuslim Rajputs or Musulman Rajputs are Muslims belonging to the Hindu Rajput Kshatriya groups of Indian subcontinent, who converted to Islam.-History:...
- Jats
- Gaddis
- DograDograThe Dogras are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group in South Asia. Being a diversified group, the Dogras include both Savarnas such as Brahmins, Rajputs and Non-savarnas. The Dogras also incluide merchant castes such as Mahajans...
s - Pahari peoplePahari peopleThe Pahari people, ; also called Pahadi, Parbati, Khāsā, or Chhetri, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group of the Himalaya living in Nepal, India, and Pakistan. In Nepal, the Pahari constituted the single largest ethnic group at about 20,000,000, or three-fifths of the Nepalese population through the 1990s...
- Ethnic groups of Azad KashmirEthnic groups of Azad KashmirThe 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....