Ethnic groups of Azad Kashmir
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
The "small castes" is as follows:
districts. Jats are concentrated in Mirpur
and Kotli
districts, 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.
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 and of Dhangar lineage.
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
.
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 District
s 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 Rajput
s, 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. 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, Badhan
s, Bangial
, Dhamial
, Kalyals
, Kanyals
, Mathyals
, Nagyal
s, Nathyal
s, 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 Dogra
s. 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 District
s. 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" 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:
Areas occupied by the Magray tribe include the following:
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. http://www.mangral.com
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.
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.
Nagyal
s
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. 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 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.
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...
is composed of many communities and tribes. According to the 1998 Census of Pakistan, the total population of Azad Kashmir was 3,271,000.
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.
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: 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.
- 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 SudhnatiSudhnati District
-Administration:The district is part of the Vale of Kashmir, which is an area in dispute between India and Pakistan. The district is divided into three tehsils: Pallandri, Mang, and Trarkhal....
districts. Jats are concentrated in Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
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 :...
districts, 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
Muzaffarabad District
Muzaffarabad district of Azad Kashmir is located on the banks of the Jhelum and the Neelum rivers, and is very hilly. The district is bounded to Pakistan in the west and to Kupwara and Baramulla districts that comes under the Kashmir section which is part of the greater dispute between India and...
and Neelum
Neelum District
Neelum District is one of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Until recently it was part of Muzaffarabad District. It is bound by the Gilgit to the North, with Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore Districts of Indian-administered Kashmir in India to the South and Southeast,...
like Turks, Tanolies, Durrani and some others who migrated from Hazara region. Finally, smaller scattered groups of ethnic Kashmiris
Kashmiri people
The Kashmiri people are a Dardic linguistic group living in Kashmir Valley in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the Pakistani territory of Azad Kashmir who speak the Kashmiri language...
are found in the state, particularly in Neelum District
Neelum District
Neelum District is one of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Until recently it was part of Muzaffarabad District. It is bound by the Gilgit to the North, with Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore Districts of Indian-administered Kashmir in India to the South and Southeast,...
. 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
Alawi
The Alawis, also known as Alawites, Nusayris and Ansaris are a prominent mystical and syncretic religious group centred in Syria who are a branch of Shia Islam.-Etymology:...
The Ansaris are found mainly in Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad is the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located in Muzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers...
town, and are mostly Hindko-speaking.
Arnyal or Ranyal
The Arnyal are a dominant Jat clan found predominantly in Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
. The majority of Arnyal villages were uprooted in the 1960s with the construction of the Mangla Dam
Mangla Dam
The Mangla Dam is located on the Jhelum River in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is the sixteenth largest dam in the world. It was built from 1961 to 1967 with funding from the World Bank. The project was designed and supervised by Binnie & Partners of London, and it was built...
. 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
Jhelum
Jhelum or Jehlum may refer to:* Jhelum, a city in Pakistan on the banks of the Jhelum River* Jhelum District, an administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan surrounding the city of Jhelum...
, and Sarai Alamgir
Sarai Alamgir
Sarai Alamgir Sarai Alamgir (Urdu: سرائے عالمگیر) Sarai Alamgir (Urdu: سرائے عالمگیر) (pop. 175, 288 (as per DCR 1998) is the chief town of the tehsil of the same name. It is part of Gujrat district in the north of Punjab province. The town is located on the eastern bank of the Jhelum River...
; there are also pockets found in Gujrat
Gujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
, 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
Ghaseetpur Awan
Ghaseetpur Awan is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, in Pakistan.- History :Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have emigrated to the United Kingdom. The village gets its name from the Awan tribe, who form the bulk of the population....
and Mohra Malkan
Mohra Malkan
Mohra Malkan is a village in the Dadyal Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir. Mohrah Malkan presently comes in the Union Council of Amb; also remained part of Union Councl Raipur in the past. The village is also known as Poorana Mohra Malkan. It is located approximately 2 km from Dadyal...
. The Awan of Pakistan occupied Kashmir are 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. Famous Awan historian Mohabbat Husain Awan claimed thate ten million populac of Alvi Awan in Pakistan and fifty millions in the World.
Bais
Bais
Bais can refer to:* Bais City, a city located in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines* Bais, Ille-et-Vilaine, a commune of the Ille-et-Vilaine département, in France* Bais, Mayenne, a commune of the Mayenne département, in France...
The Bais are a major clan in Mirpur District
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
, with many villages around Islamgarh
Islamgarh
Islamgarh is a Municipal Committee of Mirpur District near Mangla Dam of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located on the southern part of the Panjal Range, about 28 Kilometer in North-East of MirpurAzad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan is situated the talent producing Islamgarh, progressing...
town such as Potha Bainsi
Potha Bainsi
Potha Bainsi is a village in Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The nearest town is Kakra....
and Kalyal Bhainsi
Kalyal Bhainsi
- History :Like many villages in the Mirpur region, the village ends with suffix Bainsi, a tradition kept by the Bais Rajputs naming after the Baiswara. The Bais Rajput make up the bulk of the population....
. Like almost all of Mirpur District, they are 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. Nearby in the 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...
they are speakers of the Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
and speak other Lahnda languages, depending on where they reside. Bais
Bais
Bais can refer to:* Bais City, a city located in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines* Bais, Ille-et-Vilaine, a commune of the Ille-et-Vilaine département, in France* Bais, Mayenne, a commune of the Mayenne département, in France...
have been residents of the areas of Kashmir and Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
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
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
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
Dhangar
The Dhangar caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra...
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)
Bains (Jat)
Bains is a gotra of Jat found in Punjab, India and Punjab, it is also suggest that Wains is an alternate spelling of Bains in Pakistan.-History and origin:There are a number of theories as to the origin of the Bains....
found in Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
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 and of Dhangar lineage.
Today the Bais are scattered throughout the region. They also reside in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in large numbers, as they were a major part of emigration to the UK.
Bakarwal
Bakarwal
Bakarwal is a nomadic tribe based in the Pir Panjal and Himalayan mountains of South Asia. They are mainly goatherds and shepherds. They are called as Dhangar in rest of India.- Etymology :...
This a semi-nomadic tribe, migrating from Bagh
Bagh
Bagh is the chief town of Bagh District in Azad KashmirBagh, the district headquarters of district Bagh is 100 Kilometers from Muzaffarabad via Kohallah & 80 Kilometers via Suddhen Gali, 205 Kilometers from Islamabad and 48 kilometers from Rawalakot. This town is situated on the confluence of two...
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...
to the Kaghan
Kaghan
Kaghan is a small town and union council of the Balakot Tehsil, in Mansehra District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It has a reputation as a place of great natural beauty....
valley in the summers. They speak the Gojri
Gojri
Gojri, also known as Gujari is a variety of Rajasthani spoken by the Gujjars of Northern-Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.Rajasthani, Marwari and Gujarati are evolved from Gujari. The language was known as Gujjar bhakha or Gurjar Apabhramsha lately. It was used as literary language as early as 12th...
language. Most of them are Gujjars.
Bangial
Bangial
The Bangial, or sometime spelt Bangyal are a tribe of Rajputs found principally in the Potohar region of Punjab, Pakistan. They also to be a found in the Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts of the Punjab.-History and origins:...
The Bangial are a rajput-Jat clan found in Mirpur District
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
. Potha Bangash is an important village in Mirpur District.
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 :...
Rajputs
The Bhao Rajputs are found in Bhimber District
Bhimber District
Bhimber is the southernmost of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir it borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the east. The district is located between Latitude: 32-48 to 33-34 and Longitude: 73.55 to 74-45, and has an area of 1516 km². The chief town is Bhimber.-History:The area is...
, in a few villages near 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...
.
Bhawpal Rajputs
The Bhawpal Rajputs are found mainly in Bagh District
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...
, near 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...
. 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...
are part of a group of tribes known as Chibhali, and are found mainly in Rajouri District
Rajouri District
Rajouri is a district of Jammu province in the Indian-administered Kashmir. It is close to the control line and borders with Ponch to the north and Mirpur to the southwest, both of which are in Pakistan-administered Kashmir....
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...
, along the slopes of the Pir Panjal mountains. There are also few villages in Kotli District
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 :...
as well.
Bomba
The Bomba is a tribe that claims descent from the Banu Hashim
Banu Hashim
Banū Hāshim was a clan in the Quraysh tribe. Muhammad, was a member of this clan; his great-grandfather was Hashim, for whom the clan is named. Members of this clan are referred to by the Anglicised version of their name as Hashemites, or Huseini or Hasani...
, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammed. With the Khakha, they make up the entire population of the Jhelum
Jhelum
Jhelum or Jehlum may refer to:* Jhelum, a city in Pakistan on the banks of the Jhelum River* Jhelum District, an administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan surrounding the city of Jhelum...
valley from Muzaffarabad to 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...
.
Butt
Bhat (tribe)
Butt is an English surname whose origins lie in the South West Peninsula region of England.- Etymology :The surname Butt or Butts is said to be derived from the Old French word "but" which is a verb meaning "aim" or "target". The English name is derived from the Middle English word "but", a noun...
The Bhat (known as 'Butt' among 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 communities) are a clan of Kashmiri Muslims
Kashmiri Muslims
Kashmiri Muslims are Kashmiri people who are Muslims, currently living in Kashmir or those originally with Kashmiri kinship and descent living in Pakistan. Kashmiris are ethinically and culturally closer to central asian culture than Indian or Pakistani culture with significant influence of the...
. They are found all over Pakistan occupied Kashmir; some are recent immigrants from the Kashmir valley. There are old established communities in Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
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 :...
, descendants of Kashmiri immigrants who left the Kashmir valley in the 18th and 19th centuries. The newer immigants speak Kashmiri
Kashmiri language
Kashmiri is a language from the Dardic sub-group and it is spoken primarily in the Kashmir Valley, in Jammu and Kashmir. There are approximately 5,554,496 speakers in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Census of 2001. Most of the 105,000 speakers or so in Pakistan are émigrés from the Kashmir...
, while the old established families are 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. In Neelum District, Athmuqam and the Leepa Valley, their communities speak Kashmiri, with members of the Butt clan present.
Thakial Rajputs
Thakial Rajputs
The Thakial Rajputs are a prominent Muslim Rajput tribe of Azad Kashmir and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. In addition they can be found in the Poonch and Rajouri provinces of Kashmir. They live in large numbers in Bagh, Thub Thakyalan Muzaffarabad and Kotli districts...
The Thakial are a Muslim Rajput tribe. They are found in Muzaffarabad and Bagh District
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...
s 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
Baghal
Baghal, covering an area of 312 km² and currently a part of Himachal Pradesh state, was one of the Princely states of India during the period of the British Raj...
branch is found in Kotli and Mirpur Districts.
In the following areas, a majority of residents are Thakial Rajputs:
- Thub Thakyalan, Bagh DistrictBagh DistrictBagh 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...
- Fatehpur ThakialaFatehpur ThakialaFatehpur Thakiala is one of the three tehsils, , of Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is also referred to as Nakyal.-History:...
, Kotli DistrictKotli DistrictKotli 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 :... - Muzaffarabad DistrictMuzaffarabad DistrictMuzaffarabad district of Azad Kashmir is located on the banks of the Jhelum and the Neelum rivers, and is very hilly. The district is bounded to Pakistan in the west and to Kupwara and Baramulla districts that comes under the Kashmir section which is part of the greater dispute between India and...
The town of Fatehpur Thakiala
Fatehpur Thakiala
Fatehpur Thakiala is one of the three tehsils, , of Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is also referred to as Nakyal.-History:...
in Kotli District
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 :...
is named after them. Like other Pahari Rajput
Pahari Rajput
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....
s, they are a 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 tribe.
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...
The Chib are perhaps one of the largest Rajput tribes in the state. There is a concentration of Chib villages in Bhimber District
Bhimber District
Bhimber is the southernmost of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir it borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the east. The district is located between Latitude: 32-48 to 33-34 and Longitude: 73.55 to 74-45, and has an area of 1516 km². The chief town is Bhimber.-History:The area is...
, and the region was historically known as Chibhal. Deva and Batala are important Chib villages in that district. In 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 :...
important Chib villages include Khoi Ratta
Khoi Ratta
Khui Ratta is a town in Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.-Location:Khuiratta lies 29 km southeast of Kotli and 165 km from Islamabad, to the east. Khoiratta is approximately 7 kilometres from the Line Of Control . It is the second largest town after Kotli City and has an elevation...
, Segyum and Supplah. 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:...
Chib are Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
-speaking, while the Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
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 :...
ones speak 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...
.
Dar
Found all over Pakistan occupied Kashmir, some are recent migrants from the Kashmir valley. There are old established communities in Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
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 :...
, descendants of Kashmiri immigrants who left the Kashmir valley in the 18th and 19th century. The newer immigants speak Kashmiri
Kashmiri language
Kashmiri is a language from the Dardic sub-group and it is spoken primarily in the Kashmir Valley, in Jammu and Kashmir. There are approximately 5,554,496 speakers in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Census of 2001. Most of the 105,000 speakers or so in Pakistan are émigrés from the Kashmir...
, while the old established families are 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. In Athmuqam
Athmuqam
Athmuqam or Athmakam is a small city about 84 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. It is the headquarters of Neelum District. Its population is about 8,000....
, and other towns in the Leepa valley, there are communities of ethnic Kashmiris, including members of the Dar tribe.
Dhamial
Dhamial
Dhamial is a village of Rawalpindi District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located at 33°33'0N 73°1'0E with an altitude of 492 metres . The village gets its name from the Dhamial tribe....
The Dhamial are a rajput-Jat clan in 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 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
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...
, especially around the town of Mallot
Mallot
Mallot is a town in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is situated 17 km north west from Bagh city and to the east of Dhirkot. As well as its scenery the area is known for its historic background.-People:...
. Most of the villages bordering Murree Tehsil
Murree Tehsil
Murree Tehsil is one of the seven Tehsils of Rawalpindi District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.Murree Tehsil is located in the northernmost part of Punjab province where it borders the North West Frontier Province...
of Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
and Abbotabad District of the North West Frontier Province are held by the Dhund Abbasi. The village of Chirala Sohawa in Bagh District
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...
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
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...
. Most of their villages are along 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...
. Like other tribes of the Poonch region, they speak the 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...
language.
Douli
Douli
For 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"...
The Douli tribe is found mainly along 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...
in the villages of Hajira, Dara Sher Khan, Mandhole, Abbaspur, Serarri as well Rawalakot
Rawalakot
Rawalakot , is a city in Azad Kashmir, and is the capital of Poonch Division and Poonch District. It is in a saucer-shaped valley at an elevation of 1,615 metres ....
town in Poonch District. They are 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, 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
Gakhars
The Gakhars are an ancient warrior clan who have predominantly resided in what is present day northern Punjab and South-Western Kashmir, Pakistan. In particular in the cities of Rawalpindi, Jhelum and regions of Gilgit, Baltistan, Chitral, Khanpur and Mirpur, Pakistan...
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
Dadyal
Dadyal or Dadyaal is a town situated in the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The town consists of more than 70 smaller villages. Like much of the Mirpur District, Dadyal has descendants of inhabitants that emigrated to the United Kingdom between the 1950s and 1980s...
tehsil and Mirpur Tehsil
Mirpur Tehsil
Mirpur Tehsil is an administrative subdivision of Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir , Pakistan.-History:During British Rule of the Indian Subcontinent, Mirpur was part of the Princely state of Kashmir and Jammu...
of that district.
Ghakar villages in Mirpur include Arah Jagir
Arah Jagir
Arah Jagir is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- History :Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have immigrated to the United Kingdom. The Gakhar tribe makes up the bulk of the village population....
, Chattroh
Chattroh
Chattroh is a small village in the Dadyal tehsil of Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir, lying on the banks of the River Jhelum. Ancient Chattroh was founded by the rajput rulers of the valley of Indherhill....
, Sanhote, Abdulahpur
Abdulahpur
Abudulahpur is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- History :Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villages have immigrated to the United Kingdom. The Gakhar tribe makes up the bulk of the village population....
, Punhan and Siakh Pahaith
Siakh Pahaith
- History :Like many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have emigrated to the United Kingdom. The Gakhar tribe make up the bulk of its population....
.
Gujjar
Gujjar
The Gurjar are an ethnic group in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Alternative spellings include Gurjara, Gujar, Gurjjara and Gūrjara. The spelling Gurjara or Gurjar is preferable to the rest....
They are the largest tribe in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In the southern districts of 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 :...
, Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
and 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:...
, they are a sedentary, 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 tribe. In the northern districts, they are nomadic and speak the Gojri
Gojri
Gojri, also known as Gujari is a variety of Rajasthani spoken by the Gujjars of Northern-Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.Rajasthani, Marwari and Gujarati are evolved from Gujari. The language was known as Gujjar bhakha or Gurjar Apabhramsha lately. It was used as literary language as early as 12th...
language. Important Gujjar villages in Mirpur District include Rahimkot, Bhalot (Mirpur), Mandi (Mirpur)
Mandi (Mirpur)
Mandi is a village in the Dadyal tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- Demography :According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, its population was 160. The village has since expanded.- History :...
, Sahalia
Sahalia
Sahalia is a village in the Dadyal tehsil of Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. Like much of Mirpur District, Sahalia has deep connections with the United Kingdom. Many people originally from Sahalia have settled in Reading, London, Birmingham and Manchester. Sahalia is no different from...
and Kund. In Kotli District
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 :...
, they inhabit the following villages; Khoi Ratta
Khoi Ratta
Khui Ratta is a town in Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.-Location:Khuiratta lies 29 km southeast of Kotli and 165 km from Islamabad, to the east. Khoiratta is approximately 7 kilometres from the Line Of Control . It is the second largest town after Kotli City and has an elevation...
, Anderla Kothera, Shaheen Abad, Dakkhana, Phalini, Khor, Ghayeen, Kerjai, Barali, Nidi Sohana
Nidi Sohana
Nidi Sohana is a union council in district Kotli Azad kashmir Pakistan. It lies 19 km from Khoiratta, and is a union council of Kotli Tehsil LA Kotli 5 situated at LOC and the end of Tehsil Kotli Nidi Sohana in the part of District Rajori. The highest point of Kotli district, "Muthrani...
, Nakyal
Nakyal
Nakyal is one of the three tehsils, , of Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.-History:...
, Chooroi and Sehnsa
Sehnsa
Sehnsa is a large town in Pakistan. Administered Azad Kashmir which lies on the west of Gulpur on the Kotli-Rawaplindi road. Sehnsa is a sub-divisional headquarters of Kotli district in the center of Sehnsa valley...
. In Bagh District, they are found in Haveli, Hajirah, Abbaspour and Bura Jungle
Bura Jungle
Bura Jungle is a village located in northeast Punjab, Pakistan. It is located three miles west from a rapidly growing town of Dina City and six miles from Rohtas Fort....
. 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
Bakarwal
Bakarwal is a nomadic tribe based in the Pir Panjal and Himalayan mountains of South Asia. They are mainly goatherds and shepherds. They are called as Dhangar in rest of India.- Etymology :...
, Bajar, Bhumbla, Bjarh, Chandpuri, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, 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...
, Chechi
Chechi
Chechi or Chechhi is a gotra among the Gurjars. According to Ajmer patels they are Lor Gurjars . The Chechis are spread all over the world specially Central Asia. Some Chechis live in Northern California.According to Rajputana Gazetteer Pushkar was held by Chechis until about 700 years ago....
, Hans
Hans
Hans may refer to:*Hans, Marne, a commune in France*Hans, Magazine, a Hindi literary magazine in India*Hans Island, contested between Greenland and Canada* Hans , a given name...
, Khatana
Khatana
Khatana is a Gotra among the Gurjars. It was one of the ruling clans of the Gurjars.-History:According to Bhats of Gurjars, the area beyond Kabul in earlier period was called as Khattan in India. The Gurjar kings serving as fuedatories of Gurjar Empire there were called the Rana of Khattan and...
, Khepar, Meelu and Kukaswal.
Janjua
The Janjua are a large tribe found mainly in Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
and Jhelum
Jhelum
Jhelum or Jehlum may refer to:* Jhelum, a city in Pakistan on the banks of the Jhelum River* Jhelum District, an administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan surrounding the city of Jhelum...
districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Some also live 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...
, 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
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 :...
and Bhimber
Bhimber District
Bhimber is the southernmost of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir it borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the east. The district is located between Latitude: 32-48 to 33-34 and Longitude: 73.55 to 74-45, and has an area of 1516 km². The chief town is Bhimber.-History:The area is...
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. Most of them resided in areas that now form Azad Kashmir, although there were few villages in the 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...
and Kathua
Kathua
Kathua is the largest city of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the third largest city in the Jammu region and the sixth largest in the state. The word "Kathua" is derived from the word "Thuan" in Dogri which means "Scorpios". The city was the land of Scorpios before the settling of...
regions, most of whom immigrated to Pakistan after the state's ascension to India.
In Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
, Jats reside in the traditional Jat heartlands of Chakswari
Chakswari
Chakswari is a Tehsil in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. It is composed of approximately 25 Union councils including the New Town of Islamgarh...
, Dadyal
Dadyal
Dadyal or Dadyaal is a town situated in the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The town consists of more than 70 smaller villages. Like much of the Mirpur District, Dadyal has descendants of inhabitants that emigrated to the United Kingdom between the 1950s and 1980s...
, 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
Kas Kalyal
Kas Kalyal is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- History :Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have emigrated to the United Kingdom. The village gets its name from the Kalyals tribe of Jats, who form the bulk of the population....
, Khambal, Khroota, Purkhan, Sangot and Dheri Thothal as well as many villages around the Khari Sharif
Khari Sharif
Khari 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...
area. The Mirpur and 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...
Jats speak 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...
, while those of 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:...
speak a dialect which is close to the Punjabi spoken in Gujrat District
Gujrat District
Gujrat is a district of Punjab Province in Pakistan. It is an ancient district located in between two famous rivers, the Jhelum and Chenab. Because of its proximity with the rivers the land is good for cultivation with rice and sugar cane as main crops...
. 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, Badhan
Badhan
Badhan may refer to:* Badhan, Sanaag, Somalia* al-Badhan, a Palestinian village in the West Bank* Badhan , a group founded at the University of Dhaka to promote blood donation* Badhan , a clan of the Jat people....
s, Bangial
Bangial
The Bangial, or sometime spelt Bangyal are a tribe of Rajputs found principally in the Potohar region of Punjab, Pakistan. They also to be a found in the Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts of the Punjab.-History and origins:...
, Dhamial
Dhamial
Dhamial is a village of Rawalpindi District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located at 33°33'0N 73°1'0E with an altitude of 492 metres . The village gets its name from the Dhamial tribe....
, Kalyals
Kalyals
The Kalyal, or sometimes spelt Kalial, are a Jat gotra , found principally in Punjab and Azad Kashmir Pakistan.- History :The tribe claims decent from a common ancestor named Kal, a Sombansi Rajput,who settled in Rawalpindi in the 15th Century...
, Kanyals
Kanyals
PAWAN KANYALThe Kanyal or sometimes spelt Kanial, are tribe of both Jats and Rajputs status, found in the Punjab province of Pakistan, and also in Azad Kashmir, kumaon...
, Mathyals
Mathyals
The Matyal or sometimes pronounced as Mathyal are a Jat tribe, found mainly in Jhelum District of the Punjab Province of Pakistan, as well as the adjoining Mirpur and Bhimber Districts of Azad Kashmir. They are also found in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad...
, Nagyal
Nagyal
Nagyal, sometimes pronounced as Nangyal and also written as Nagial are a Rajput-Jat tribe found mainly in Rawalpindi District, Gujar Khan, Daultala, Jhelum and Gujrat Districts of Punjab, Mirpur District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir...
s, Nathyal
Nathyal
The Nathyal are a tribe of Rajputs and Jats found principally in the Potohar region of Punjab, Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, and Jammu.-History and origins:...
s, Punyals, Rachyals
Rachyals
The Rachyal are a Jat tribe, found mainly in the Kotli and Mirpur districts of Azad Kashmir.-History and origin:People of Rachyal descent can be found in small pockets of Azad Kashmir. Their largest settlement is that of Panyam, near Chakswari in Mirpur District, which has been home of the Rachyal...
, Ranyals
Ranyals
The Ranyal or as sometimes pronounced Arnyal is a Jat gotra found in Azad Kashmir, and parts of northern Punjab, Pakistan.Almost all the villages near Mirpur city in Azad Kashmir, are held by the Ranyal.-History and origin:...
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
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...
are a Rajput tribe, originally from 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...
in Indian-administerd 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...
. They settled in Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts.
In Kotli District
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 :...
, they are found in Khoiratta.
In Mirpur District the Jarrals reside in Mirpur, Jatlan
Jatlan
Jatlan is a town situated in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir. Jatlan is situated 3 miles from Khari Sharif. Its geographical coordinates are 33° 2' 1" North, 73° 50' 31" East.- Demography :...
, Pul Manda, and nearby areas.
Junhal Rajputs
The Juhnal are a Muslim Mughal tribe found mainly in 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 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
Kahlotra
The Kahlotra Rajput are a Suryavanshi Rajput tribe. They are a sub clan of the Manhas Rajput tribe.-History:Kahlotra Rajput tribe was a very influential tribe in Naushera and Rajauri tehsils of Riasi District till 1947....
are a Rajput clan found mainly in the southeastern portion of Kotli District
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 :...
. In addition to these villages, Azad Kashmir is also home to refugee Kahlotra families from Rajauri District, 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...
. These refugee families are now found mainly in Mirpur District. Like other tribes of the Mirpur region, they are 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.
Kalyal
The Kalyal are perhaps the largest rajput~Jat tribe in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They are found in large numbers in Bhimber
Bhimber District
Bhimber is the southernmost of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir it borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the east. The district is located between Latitude: 32-48 to 33-34 and Longitude: 73.55 to 74-45, and has an area of 1516 km². The chief town is Bhimber.-History:The area is...
, Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
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 :...
. Kas Kalyal
Kas Kalyal
Kas Kalyal is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- History :Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have emigrated to the United Kingdom. The village gets its name from the Kalyals tribe of Jats, who form the bulk of the population....
is an important village in Mirpur District.
Kanyal
The Kanyal are a rajput~Jat clan that claims descent from the Jammu Dogra
Dogra
The 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. They are found in Mirpur District and speak Pahari.
Karlal
Karlal
The Karlal are a tribe found in the Abbottabad and Haripur districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan...
Like the Dhund Abbasi, the Karlal are found in villages in the Jhelum
Jhelum
Jhelum or Jehlum may refer to:* Jhelum, a city in Pakistan on the banks of the Jhelum River* Jhelum District, an administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan surrounding the city of Jhelum...
valley sections 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...
and Bagh District
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...
s. 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
Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad is the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located in Muzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers...
, 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
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 :...
.
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...
The Mangral are a Rajput clan that makes up a significant proportion of the population of Kotli District
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 :...
. Mangral villages include Trar Dewan and are also found near Rawalakot. http://www.mangral.com
Manhas
The Manhas (or Minhas
Minhas
Minhas or Manhas or Minhas-Dogra is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan from the Punjab region and Jammu & Kashmir in India and Pakistan. It is an off-shoot of Jamwal-Dogra Rajputs, the founders of the city and state of Jammu and its rulers from ancient times to 1948 CE...
) 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
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...
branch of this tribe produced the Maharajahs of 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...
.
Maldiyal Mughal
Maldiyal Mughal
The Maldiyal is a Mughal clan, living in Azad Kashmir and Rawalpindi division of Punjab, Pakistan. It is a major land-holding tribe in Bagh District and Tehsil Abbaspur of the Poonch District and Tehsil Mendhar of District Poonch of Indian Jammu and Kashmir...
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.
The main villages of Maldyals are Nar Sher Ali Khan
Nar Sher Ali Khan
Nar Sher Ali Khan is a union council of Bagh District, Azad, Kashmir District, which is situated in the mountains. The Nala Mahal start from the Nar Sher Ali Khan and fall in the Neelem river in Dhalkot.The population of the union is about 30 thousand....
, Panyali, Dharay, Chitra Topi, Sahlian Maldialan
Sahlian Maldialan
Sahlian Maldialan is a village comprising almost 10,000 population 2 km from Bagh in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is surrounded by Nala Maahl, Vill Dharay,Naryola and Singhola. Its total land is 22000 kanals. It has a forest containg of almost 5000 kanals area. Its highest point is Blair Potha...
, 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
Mughal (tribe)
The term Mughal is simply a Turkic word and many groups in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh use the term Mughal to describe themselves...
Other than Maldiyal and Douli clans, there are small numbers of Mughals distributed all over the state. Some belong the famous Chughtai
Chughtai
Chagatai or Chughtai is a family name in portions of South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East and the associated diaspora that claims descent from Chagatai Khan .-Origin of the name:...
. 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.
Nagyal
Nagyal
Nagyal, sometimes pronounced as Nangyal and also written as Nagial are a Rajput-Jat tribe found mainly in Rawalpindi District, Gujar Khan, Daultala, Jhelum and Gujrat Districts of Punjab, Mirpur District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir...
s
The Nagyal are a rajput~Jat clan. They are found mainly in Mirpur District, where Nagial
Nagial
Nagial is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.-History:Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have emigrated to the United Kingdom. The village gets its name from the Nagyal tribe of Jats, who form the bulk of the population....
is an important village. Like other Azad Kashmir Jats, they speak the 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...
language.
Narma
Narma
The 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...
The Narma are a Rajput tribe found mainly in Bagh District
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 District
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 :...
, with a few in Mirpur
Mirpur District
Mirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
and Bhimber
Bhimber District
Bhimber is the southernmost of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir it borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the east. The district is located between Latitude: 32-48 to 33-34 and Longitude: 73.55 to 74-45, and has an area of 1516 km². The chief town is Bhimber.-History:The area is...
districts.
In Bagh District, the tribe is found mainly in these villages: Kaffulgarh, Ghaniabad, Bees Bagla
Bees Bagla
Bees Bagla is a town of Bagh District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. It is 25 km away from Bagh at North East and 8,000 feet above sea level...
, 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
Khoi Ratta
Khui Ratta is a town in Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.-Location:Khuiratta lies 29 km southeast of Kotli and 165 km from Islamabad, to the east. Khoiratta is approximately 7 kilometres from the Line Of Control . It is the second largest town after Kotli City and has an elevation...
.
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
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...
language.
Qureshi
The Qureshi (or Quraishi
Quraishi
Quraishi , is a family name that originates from Arabs in Saudi Arabia, particularly from the city of Mecca.- Lineage :...
) claim Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
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
Dogra
The 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...
ancestry found mainly in Mirpur District. Their largest settlement is that of Panyam, Poth, Chamba, near Chakswari
Chakswari
Chakswari is a Tehsil in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. It is composed of approximately 25 Union councils including the New Town of Islamgarh...
in Mirpur District. Like other Pakistan occupied Kashmiri, they speak the 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...
language.
A large majority of the Rachyal live in United Kingdom; they are present in Bradford, Birmingham, Halifax and Luton.
Rathore
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
The Rathore (or Rathor / Rathur / Rathod / Rathour) are a large Rajput clan found throughout Pakistan occupied Kashmir, with concentrations in Bagh District
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 District
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 :...
. Nakar Bandi in Bagh District is an important village. In addition to the 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 Rathore Rajputs, there are communities of Hindko-speaking Rathore in Muzaffarabad.
Sakhial Rajputs
Sakhial
A Muslim Rajput tribe, found mainly in Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir. The own a group of villages including Kathar Dilawar in Dadyal, Mirpur District....
The Sakhial are a Rajput tribe found mainly in Mirpur District of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They own a group of villages including Kathar Dilawar
Kathar Dilawar
- History :Like many villages in the Mirpur region, many of its residents have emigrated to the United Kingdom. Kather and villages nearby are inhabitited mainly by the Sakhial clan of the Rajputs, but according to Lt. Col. J.M. Wikeley and Adamal Gakhars they were the servants of Adamal Gakkars.-...
in Dadyal
Dadyal
Dadyal or Dadyaal is a town situated in the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The town consists of more than 70 smaller villages. Like much of the Mirpur District, Dadyal has descendants of inhabitants that emigrated to the United Kingdom between the 1950s and 1980s...
, Mirpur District. They are 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.
Sohlan
Sohlan (tribe)
The Sohlan are a Rajput tribe of Panhwar Rajput descent which is a sub-branch of the Paramara Raputs. They are connected with the Narma as both are descended from Panhwar Rajputs....
(Solhan) Rajputs
The Sohlan
Sohlan
* Sohlan , tribe of Azad Kashmir and adjacent areas* Sohlan,, village of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan...
are a Rajput clan found mainly in Mirpur District.
Their villages in Mirpur include Khari Sharif
Khari Sharif
Khari 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...
, Mehmunpur
Mehmunpur
Mehmunpur Rajgan is a village near Jatlan, Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.The village is situated between Jhelum River and the Upper Jhelum Canal,15 km from Mirpur city.-Demography:...
, Ghaseetpur Sohalian
Ghaseetpur Sohalian
Ghaseetpur Sohalian is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- History :Ghaseetpur is an ancient village resided by Sohlan Rajputs in majority. The village gets its name from the Sohlan tribe, who form the majority of the population....
, Dalyala
Dalyala
Dalyala is a village found in Azad Kashmir in the Khari Sharif area of Pakistan it is composed mostly of Sohlan Rajputs. The Sohlan are a Rajput tribe connected with the Narma. They are said to be of Panwar Rajput descent which is a sub-branch of the Paramara Rajputs. The village name is derived...
, Bani
Bani (Mirpur)
Bani is a village in the Mirpur Tehsil of Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.- History :Like in many villages in the Mirpur region, many villagers have emigrated to the United Kingdom. The Sohlan clan of Rajputs makes up the bulk of the population....
, Sahang
Sahang
Sahang is a town in Gujar Khan Tehsil, Punjab, Pakistan. Sahang is also chief town of Union Council Sahang which is an administrative subdivision of the TehsilSahang is one of the most biggest and important union council of tehsil gujar khan.The notable tribes of this union council are Pakhral...
and New Jabot, Kutla Muzaffarabad Like other Mirpur Rajputs, they speak the 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...
language.
Sayyid
Sayyid
Sayyid is an honorific title, it denotes males accepted as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husain ibn Ali, sons of the prophet's daughter Fatima Zahra and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib.Daughters of sayyids are given the titles Sayyida,...
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 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
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
. Some Sudhans are also settled in Bagh District. They are Pahari-speaking.
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...
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
Tarkhan (Punjab)
The Tarkhan , तरख़ान tarkhān) are considered a Punjabi tribe in Pakistani Punjab while a caste in Indian Punjab. They are carpenters by occupation....
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
Karlugh Turks
The Karlugh Turks are a prominent Karluk Turkic tribe that resides mainly in the Hazara region of current Pakistan. These Karlugh Turks formed a Turki Shahi dynasty and ruled the state of Pakhli Sarkar for over 200 years from 1472 to 1703.- Arrival:...
is found in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, particularly in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining villages like Thangar Shawai, Shaheed Gali, Chanjal Pathika
Pathika
Pathika or Patikka is a beautiful place, some from Muzaffarabad city in Pakistan. It is sub-division of Muzaffarabad.The valley is accessible by an all-weather road metalled up to Dowarian and well maintained up to Kel. At the gateway to this valley lies a sprawling town to Patikka with a...
, 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
Pakhli
Pakhli was an ancient sarkar of the Mughal Subah of Punjab, now part of Hazara, Pakistan. It roughly corresponds to the ancient Urasa, the Aρσa or Οΰaρσa which Ptolemy placed between the Bidaspes and the Indus....
state of current Hazara region of N.W.F.P Pakistan whereas some Turks are known by surname 'Usmani'.
Teli
Teli
Teli is a business caste of oil pressers in India and Pakistan. Members may be either Hindu or Muslim; Muslim Teli are called Roshandaar or Teli Malik....
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
- Pahari RajputPahari RajputThe 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....
- Muslim RajputsMuslim RajputsMuslim Rajputs or Musulman Rajputs are Muslims belonging to the Hindu Rajput Kshatriya groups of Indian subcontinent, who converted to Islam.-History:...
- Jat peopleJat peopleThe Jat people are a community of traditionally non-elite tillers and herders in Northern India and Pakistan. Originally pastoralists in the lower Indus river-valley of Sindh, Jats migrated north into the Punjab region in late medieval times, and subsequently into the Delhi Territory,...
- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
- Mirpur DistrictMirpur DistrictMirpur District is a district in the disputed and divided state of [Jammu and Kashmir]. The district is named after the main city, Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area of . The district is mainly mountainous with some plains...
- Bhimber DistrictBhimber DistrictBhimber is the southernmost of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir it borders Indian-administered Kashmir to the east. The district is located between Latitude: 32-48 to 33-34 and Longitude: 73.55 to 74-45, and has an area of 1516 km². The chief town is Bhimber.-History:The area is...
- Kotli DistrictKotli DistrictKotli 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 :...
- Bagh DistrictBagh DistrictBagh 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...
- Poonch District (Kashmir)
- Muzaffarabad DistrictMuzaffarabad DistrictMuzaffarabad district of Azad Kashmir is located on the banks of the Jhelum and the Neelum rivers, and is very hilly. The district is bounded to Pakistan in the west and to Kupwara and Baramulla districts that comes under the Kashmir section which is part of the greater dispute between India and...
- RajputRajputA 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...
- Bais RajputBais 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...
- KhatriKhatriKhatri is a caste from the northern Indian subcontinent. Khatris in India are mostly from Punjab, region but later they migrated to regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu, Uttarkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber...
- Karlugh TurksKarlugh TurksThe Karlugh Turks are a prominent Karluk Turkic tribe that resides mainly in the Hazara region of current Pakistan. These Karlugh Turks formed a Turki Shahi dynasty and ruled the state of Pakhli Sarkar for over 200 years from 1472 to 1703.- Arrival:...
External links
- Government of Azad Kashmir
- Introduction to Azad Kashmir
- About tourism in Azad Kashmir
- Britannica - Azad Kashmir
- District Profile - Muzaffarabad/Neelum Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority 2007
- District Profile – Rawalakot/Poonch Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority 2007
- District Profile - Bagh Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA)
- Kashmir