Jhabel
Encyclopedia
The Jhabel are a Seraiki
tribe, found in the province of Punjab
. .
rivers. In additions, they are also involved in collecting water-lilies, which prized as a herb. They say they are descended from Bhatti Rajput
s, who fell into poverty, and took to fishing. According to other traditions, their ancestor is said to have come originally from Sindh
, and they belonged to the Mallaah
tribe. Many members of the tribe have taken agriculture, particularly those found along the banks of the Sutlej
. The Jhabel are Sunni Muslims, following both the Barelvi
and Deobandi
sub-sects. More than any other community, they have been affected by the daming of the Punjab rivers, which has led to the abandonment of their traditional occupation as boatmen. Many are landless, working as tenant farmers for the large land owners that dominate southern Punjab.
, Multan
and Rajanpur
.
Saraiki people
The Saraiki people or Multani people are an ethnic group from the central and south-eastern areas of Pakistan, especially the former princely state of Bahawalpur and the districts of Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, Khanewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh,...
tribe, found in the 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...
. .
History and origin
The Jhabel are essentially a tribe of fishermen and boatmen, found in the southern districts of Punjab, mainly along the banks of the Indus and SutlejSutlej
The Sutlej River is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroad region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan. It is located north of the Vindhya Range, south of the Hindu Kush segment of the Himalayas, and east of the Central Sulaiman Range in Pakistan.The Sutlej...
rivers. In additions, they are also involved in collecting water-lilies, which prized as a herb. They say they are descended from Bhatti Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s, who fell into poverty, and took to fishing. According to other traditions, their ancestor is said to have come originally from Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, and they belonged to the Mallaah
Mallaah
The Mallah are the traditional boatmen caste and ethnic group of North India, East India and Pakistan. A small number of Mallah are also found in Nepal....
tribe. Many members of the tribe have taken agriculture, particularly those found along the banks of the Sutlej
Sutlej
The Sutlej River is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroad region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan. It is located north of the Vindhya Range, south of the Hindu Kush segment of the Himalayas, and east of the Central Sulaiman Range in Pakistan.The Sutlej...
. The Jhabel are Sunni Muslims, following both the Barelvi
Barelvi
Barelvi is a term used for the movement of Sufi , Sunni Islam originating in the Indian subcontinent.The Movement is known as Ahle Sunnat movement to its followers....
and Deobandi
Deobandi
Deobandi is a movement of Sunni Islam. The movement began at Darul Uloom Deoband in Deoband, India, where its foundation was laid on 30 May 1866.-History:...
sub-sects. More than any other community, they have been affected by the daming of the Punjab rivers, which has led to the abandonment of their traditional occupation as boatmen. Many are landless, working as tenant farmers for the large land owners that dominate southern Punjab.
Distribution
They are found mainly in the districts of MuzaffargarhMuzaffargarh District
Muzaffargarh is a district in the south of the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is part of Saraiki Waseb. It is spread over an area of 8,249 km². Muzaffargarh District lies in the strip between the rivers Chenab and Indus, which pass along the Eastern and Western boundaries respectively of...
, Multan
Multan District
Multan District is a district in the Punjab province of Pakistan. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan it had a population of 3,116,851 of which 41.64% were urban. Its capital is the city of Multan....
and Rajanpur
Rajanpur District
Rajanpur District is a district of Punjab province in Pakistan. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan it had a population of 1,103,618 of which 14.27% were urban. Its administrative centre is the town of Rajanpur.-History & geography:...
.