The origins of tribes across Pakistan and Hindustan

[Maarkhoor]

Hi, I'm an Arain and really enjoyed reading your article!
Do you know which cities Arains are found in the most? And the history of the Arains from the Mughal Era to modern day. To my understanding Bulleh Shah was not an Arain but accepted the cast later on, can you also provide a little detail on that!
Thanks!

Bulleh Shah was Syed pupil of an an Arain Saint.

 

[The Diplomat]

Bulleh Shah was Syed pupil of an an Arain Saint.

His family opposed him being a student of an Arain, right?

"Bullay Noun Sumjhawan Ayaan
Bhenaan Tay Bherjaayaan
Man Lay Bullaya Sada Kaina
Chad Day Pala Araiyaan
Aal Nabi Ulad Nabi Noun Tu Kyoun Leeka Layaan
Jera Saanoun Syed Saday
Duzakh Milay Sazaiyaan"

In Lahore, lots of Arain's are around old areas like Walled City, Mughalpura and Shad Bagh to my understanding.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Hi, I'm an Arain and really enjoyed reading your article!
Do you know which cities Arains are found in the most? And the history of the Arains from the Mughal Era to modern day. To my understanding Bulleh Shah was not an Arain but accepted the cast later on, can you also provide a little detail on that!
Thanks!

Bulleh Shah was a Syed whose family mocked him for following an arian murshad..

 

[The Diplomat]

Bulleh Shah was a Syed whose family mocked him for following an arian murshad..

Yeah, I thought so. I had researched about him in the past before and just wanted to confirm. Was he "Aagh"(ed) from the family for not following orders?

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Hindustan is, imo, the better term to use since the term India derives from the Indus river which flows almost entirely in Pakistan.

It makes as much sense to call Hindustan India as it does to call Pakistan Gangia.

Also, historically, Hindustan has always been used. It's still used today in fact, for example, you have HAL and a rather popular member on this forum called @Hindustani78

Hindustan was actually historically more used for what is now Central India, it was later on, most likely during British rule, that Hindustan began to be used for most parts of South Asia.

Fun-fact:
The other name of their country, "Bharat" (according to Hindu mythology) is derived from an Emperor named Bharata who's tribe was originally from the Indus before they migrated to the Ganges after conflict, conquered the locals and went on to "conquer most of South Asia", this story is most likely fictitious and mythological but still nonetheless interesting.

 

[django]

You dont know anything about Janjua. I have nothing against Jats or other tribes because they are all great people with pride but Janjua is a Rajput clan and they are called Rajputs in almost all the historical sources and journalistic articles. They have also kept their ancestral records( read my previous posts) . Bhatti are also Rajputs. The ancestral home of Janjua Rajputs is salt Range (Photohar) region of Pakistan as described by various historical gazetteers. The so called people claiming to be "Janjua Jats" are either descendants of some Janjua individuals who married women from Jats clan or they are among those few who were settled in different parts of Punjab because of different battles during ranjit singh era . Rajas were allotted vast jagirees/lands by Mughal, British and other rulers. May be those Indian Janjuas who started farming and cultivating began to be called as Janjua jats my mixing up janjua with jats
Read this from your own indian sites
http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/

Bro he is a well known troll, best to put him on ignore list.Kudos

 

[Brahmarshi]

Hindustan was actually historically more used for what is now Central India, it was later on, most likely during British rule, that Hindustan began to be used for most parts of South Asia.

Fun-fact:
The other name of their country, "Bharat" (according to Hindu mythology) is derived from an Emperor named Bharata who's tribe was originally from the Indus before they migrated to the Ganges after conflict, conquered the locals and went on to "conquer most of South Asia", this story is most likely fictitious and mythological but still nonetheless interesting.

wrong on so many levels.

1) bharathas was collection of Total Victorious tribes under Rishi Vishvamitra who invaded local Aryan tribes who were fighting under rishi Vashistha.

2) there was no tribe named bharatha as it was collection of various Tribes that Attacked older settled Vedic Tribes of doab Region.

3) 10 Tribes were Nomandic who settled in Afghanistan and West of Ravi river during first phase of Vedic Period.

5) i dont remember correctly, but the battle of 10 kings happened either at Triveni Sangam of ravi and Chinab or at Setluj and Ravi.

maybe joe @Joe Shearer can clarify these things.

I dont know why he is fabricating stuff
even if you search this "janjua jats" thing then you come up with this

The Janjua Jat (also spelt Janjuha, Janjuah) (Urdu: جنجوعہ, Punjabi ਜਨ੍ਜੁਅ, Hindi:जंजुआ[1], जन्जौ/जनजौहा[2]जन्जुआ[3] ) Janjeha (जनजेहा) [4]is a highly dominant and renowned royal warrior clan of Northern India and Pakistan. They are known as the most Valiant Kshatriyas (Warriors) of Punjab


https://www.jatland.com/home/Janjua

every tom dick and harry claims that they are from kshatriya tribes be it Ahir, Jat, Gujjar or even Yadav. means nothing to us.

You dont know anything about Janjua. I have nothing against Jats or other tribes because they are all great people with pride but Janjua is a Rajput clan and they are called Rajputs in almost all the historical sources and journalistic articles. They have also kept their ancestral records( read my previous posts) . Bhatti are also Rajputs. The ancestral home of Janjua Rajputs is salt Range (Photohar) region of Pakistan as described by various historical gazetteers. The so called people claiming to be "Janjua Jats" are either descendants of some Janjua individuals who married women from Jats clan or they are among those few who were settled in different parts of Punjab because of different battles during ranjit singh era . Rajas were allotted vast jagirees/lands by Mughal, British and other rulers. May be those Indian Janjuas who started farming and cultivating began to be called as Janjua jats my mixing up janjua with jats
Read this from your own indian sites
http://www.indianrajputs.com/history/

Rajput site means nothing as they are also forming "AJGR" Tribe to strength their position. Ahir, Jat, Gujjar and Rajput. upper class of Rajputs dont even allow lower class of Rajput to sit with them much less give them their daughter or take daughter of their lower rajput tribes.

you should google case of Anandpal, she suddenly became mascot of Rajput unity after his encounter but just few years ago he was not even allowed to use Ghodi/Horse in his own marriage because he belonged to lower class of Rajputs. he had to ask to Brahmins to bless his marriage by visiting it thus, giving some extra social prestige and hire Jat and Ahir Gundas/Dons of local are to protect his marriage from upper class of Rajputs.

lol kid i am a Brahmin, these titles and classification were made by us and given to those who were of proper twice born heritage and following their Respective Dharma.

every twice born Person of India be it Brahmin or Rajput or Baniya have their Ancestry written by Brahmins of Varanasi or Dawarika. i have Muslim Chauhan friend and even he was able to find his ancestors based on Details of his converted forefather.

if you are a real Rajput than tell me your clans.

1) Brahmand
2) Vansh
3) Shakha
4) veda
5) Guru
6) kuldevi
7) IstaDevta
8) Mahadev
9) kul pita
10) sahayak
11) Rajguru
12) Rajgor
13) Bhat
14) yagna
15) pavitra bhoomi
16) pradesh

my Chauhan friend was able to give 12 our of 16 details mentioned above. you only have to answer 16 out of 50 question to prove that you are a Rajput not a jat, can you do that ? after that you have to give detailed answer of your vansh and origins. since you said that your tribe have kept ancestral records it will be very easy for you. and do us a favor and do not tag Mellecha as source who had no idea about how things works here and said that jats and gujjars are rajput/Kshatriya tribes.

bhatis are real Rajputs and their are from Marwad region of Southern Rajasthan. but according to some well known Pakistani Members of this very forum, every tom dick and harry claims Rajput origin when he leaves his village and moves to city or distant place. Rajput is like title there not ethnicity. it so rampant that today Bhatti Surname is considered kammi surname in Central and southern punjab joe.

@Joe Shearer even those Muhajir Rajuts of Haryana and Rajasthan dont give their Daughters to Punjabi Rajputs and call them Fake Rajputs/Wannabe Rajputs....

lets see maybe you and me will learn something new today.

@Kashmiri Pandit @Indika @Guardians of the Galaxy @Kedardel @Laozi @MULUBJA @Bombaywalla @t_for_talli @baajey you guys are witness of Shashtra satyApana or Svatantraprama of this Guy and his tribe.

 

[Joe Shearer]

wrong on so many levels.

1) bharathas was collection of Total Victorious tribes under Rishi Vishvamitra who invaded local Aryan tribes who were fighting under rishi Vashistha.

2) there was no tribe named bharatha as it was collection of various Tribes that Attacked older settled Vedic Tribes of doab Region.

3) 10 Tribes were Nomandic who settled in Afghanistan and West of Ravi river during first phase of Vedic Period.

5) i dont remember correctly, but the battle of 10 kings happened either at Triveni Sangam of ravi and Chinab or at Setluj and Ravi.

maybe joe @Joe Shearer can clarify these things.



every tom dick and harry claims that they are from kshatriya tribes be it Ahir, Jat, Gujjar or even Yadav. means nothing to us.



Rajput site means nothing as they are also forming "AJGR" Tribe to strength their position. Ahir, Jat, Gujjar and Rajput. upper class of Rajputs dont even allow lower class of Rajput to sit with them much less give them their daughter or take daughter of their lower rajput tribes.

you should google case of Anandpal, she suddenly became mascot of Rajput unity after his encounter but just few years ago he was not even allowed to use Ghodi/Horse in his own marriage because he belonged to lower class of Rajputs. he had to ask to Brahmins to bless his marriage by visiting it thus, giving some extra social prestige and hire Jat and Ahir Gundas/Dons of local are to protect his marriage from upper class of Rajputs.

lol kid i am a Brahmin, these titles and classification were made by us and given to those who were of proper twice born heritage and following their Respective Dharma.

every twice born Person of India be it Brahmin or Rajput or Baniya have their Ancestry written by Brahmins of Varanasi or Dawarika. i have Muslim Chauhan friend and even he was able to find his ancestors based on Details of his converted forefather.

if you are a real Rajput than tell me your clans.

1) Brahmand
2) Vansh
3) Shakha
4) veda
5) Guru
6) kuldevi
7) IstaDevta
8) Mahadev
9) kul pita
10) sahayak
11) Rajguru
12) Rajgor
13) Bhat
14) yagna
15) pavitra bhoomi
16) pradesh

my Chauhan friend was able to give 12 our of 16 details mentioned above. you only have to answer 16 out of 50 question to prove that you are a Rajput not a jat, can you do that ? after that you have to give detailed answer of your vansh and origins. since you said that your tribe have kept ancestral records it will be very easy for you. and do us a favor and do not tag Mellecha as source who had no idea about how things works here and said that jats and gujjars are rajput/Kshatriya tribes.

bhatis are real Rajputs and their are from Marwad region of Southern Rajasthan. but according to some well known Pakistani Members of this very forum, every tom dick and harry claims Rajput origin when he leaves his village and moves to city or distant place. Rajput is like title there not ethnicity. it so rampant that today Bhatti Surname is considered kammi surname in Central and southern punjab joe.

@Joe Shearer even those Muhajir Rajuts of Haryana and Rajasthan dont give their Daughters to Punjabi Rajputs and call them Fake Rajputs/Wannabe Rajputs....

lets see maybe you and me will learn something new today.

@Kashmiri Pandit @Indika @Guardians of the Galaxy @Kedardel @Laozi @MULUBJA @Bombaywalla @t_for_talli @baajey you guys are witness of Shashtra satyApana or Svatantraprama of this Guy and his tribe.

You have to give me a little time.

However, if you have seen that film about Jolly LLB2, the catechism you have set for those claiming to be Rajputs reminded me of the scene where the lawyer tries to prove that the godman is no Hindu but a terrorist in disguise.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

wrong on so many levels.

1) bharathas was collection of Total Victorious tribes under Rishi Vishvamitra who invaded local Aryan tribes who were fighting under rishi Vashistha.

2) there was no tribe named bharatha as it was collection of various Tribes that Attacked older settled Vedic Tribes of doab Region.

3) 10 Tribes were Nomandic who settled in Afghanistan and West of Ravi river during first phase of Vedic Period.

5) i dont remember correctly, but the battle of 10 kings happened either at Triveni Sangam of ravi and Chinab or at Setluj and Ravi.

maybe joe @Joe Shearer can clarify these things.



every tom dick and harry claims that they are from kshatriya tribes be it Ahir, Jat, Gujjar or even Yadav. means nothing to us.



Rajput site means nothing as they are also forming "AJGR" Tribe to strength their position. Ahir, Jat, Gujjar and Rajput. upper class of Rajputs dont even allow lower class of Rajput to sit with them much less give them their daughter or take daughter of their lower rajput tribes.

you should google case of Anandpal, she suddenly became mascot of Rajput unity after his encounter but just few years ago he was not even allowed to use Ghodi/Horse in his own marriage because he belonged to lower class of Rajputs. he had to ask to Brahmins to bless his marriage by visiting it thus, giving some extra social prestige and hire Jat and Ahir Gundas/Dons of local are to protect his marriage from upper class of Rajputs.

lol kid i am a Brahmin, these titles and classification were made by us and given to those who were of proper twice born heritage and following their Respective Dharma.

every twice born Person of India be it Brahmin or Rajput or Baniya have their Ancestry written by Brahmins of Varanasi or Dawarika. i have Muslim Chauhan friend and even he was able to find his ancestors based on Details of his converted forefather.

if you are a real Rajput than tell me your clans.

1) Brahmand
2) Vansh
3) Shakha
4) veda
5) Guru
6) kuldevi
7) IstaDevta
8) Mahadev
9) kul pita
10) sahayak
11) Rajguru
12) Rajgor
13) Bhat
14) yagna
15) pavitra bhoomi
16) pradesh

my Chauhan friend was able to give 12 our of 16 details mentioned above. you only have to answer 16 out of 50 question to prove that you are a Rajput not a jat, can you do that ? after that you have to give detailed answer of your vansh and origins. since you said that your tribe have kept ancestral records it will be very easy for you. and do us a favor and do not tag Mellecha as source who had no idea about how things works here and said that jats and gujjars are rajput/Kshatriya tribes.

bhatis are real Rajputs and their are from Marwad region of Southern Rajasthan. but according to some well known Pakistani Members of this very forum, every tom dick and harry claims Rajput origin when he leaves his village and moves to city or distant place. Rajput is like title there not ethnicity. it so rampant that today Bhatti Surname is considered kammi surname in Central and southern punjab joe.

@Joe Shearer even those Muhajir Rajuts of Haryana and Rajasthan dont give their Daughters to Punjabi Rajputs and call them Fake Rajputs/Wannabe Rajputs....

lets see maybe you and me will learn something new today.

@Kashmiri Pandit @Indika @Guardians of the Galaxy @Kedardel @Laozi @MULUBJA @Bombaywalla @t_for_talli @baajey you guys are witness of Shashtra satyApana or Svatantraprama of this Guy and his tribe.

You sound dalit to me . Every dalit pretend to be brahmin on internet but Mr dalit you should not talk about stuffs which you dont know. Now let me educate you about history of Janjua Rajputs


The Janjua Rajputs are a branch of the ancient Pandava Dynasty. The Pandavas were a Chandravanshi Kuru branch of the ancient Vedic Aryans of India descending primarily from the legendary vedic King Pururava (also known as Puru) and lived in about the 14th century BC. "General Alexander Cunningham of India concluded the Janjua to be of Aryan origin" (Panjab Castes, Sir Denzil Ibbetson, Delhi 2002, p99). Arjuna, the famous Pandava Kshatriya hero of the Mahabharata epic is known as the most prominent father of this dynasty. Prince Arjun was the first cousin of the famed Hindu prince Lord Krishna and married Krishna's sister, Subhadra, to extend his dynasty. "It was Prince Arjun who carried out Krishna's funeral rites" (Arjuna in the Mahabhrata by Ruth Cecily Katz, University of South Carolina, 1989, back matter).

The apical ancestor of the Janjuas - Maharaja Janamejaya (until c. 1000 BC), King of Hastinapur [the capital of which was Indraprasta (modern day Delhi)] who was the great grandson of Arjuna Pandava (through his father Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu son of Arjuna). Maharaja Janamejaya was also known as the "Serpent Killer" after the famous mass revenge killing of all snakes and the "Nagas" people - people possibly of Tibetan origin who were rulers of a nearby state responsible for the assassination of his father Parikshit. His descendants were also known historically as the Pandavas and the Pauravas.

India's other name Bharat or Bharat-Varsh is actually named after a forefather of the Pandava dynasty, Bharat (until c. 1300BC). Bharat-Varsh means "Kingdom of Bharat" ("Recruiting, Drafting, and Enlisting (Military and Society, 1)"Peter Karsten, 1998, USA, p119). The Mahabharata epic is a narration which records a war between Bharat's later descendants the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas for the throne of Hastinapur. This epic is also believed to be the world's longest poem and Janamejaya was responsible for the retelling of it. The Pandavas were also known as Pauravas after another prominent ancestor Puru.

The Pauravas ruled Kekaya which was widely known as the Kingdom of the Puru/Pauravas Clan and it was Rai Por or more popularly known in the west as King Porus who fought Alexander the Great in 326 BC (in what is now Jhelum, Pakistan) in the famed Battle of the Hydaspes. It is said: “Unlike Darius, Porus fought aboard his elephant until the end..In victory Alexander treated Porus with the dignity reserved for a great warrior reinstating him a vassal king and sealing the bond of friendship” (The Horse in the Ancient World by Ann Hyland 2002 Sutton Publ.,p161). According to Arian, Alexander is said to have asked King Porus "How would you like me to treat you?" to which Porus famously replied "As a Raja (king)". The answer touched Alexander, who in return allowed the Raja of the Pauravas to retain his Kingdom (Alexander the Great - Nick McCarty, Carlton Books, 2004, p111). The "List of Indian monarchs" gives an account of the period of rule of the Bharata-Puru-Pandava-Pauravas-Janjua Shahi phase from approx 1600BC to 1026AD.

It must also be noted here that although the Janjuas are essentially Pandavas, the famous Jarral Rajput, a powerful Rajput dynasty who ruled Rajaur for well over 600 years were also Pandavas by origin through Nanak Rao, the brother of "Maharaja of the Kurus" Janamejaya. A known scion of the Pandava dynasty through Janamejaya became a very well known and recognised warrior king in his time. His name was Rai Janjua Paal. He was famous for his conquests and warlike temperament and was believed to be the last emperor of Hastinapur. He named his branch as Janjua henceforth and this name has remained in his dynasty. From about 964AD, the Janjua chief Parambhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Sri Jayapaladeva (Epithets known from the Bari Kot inscriptions) succeeded the Brahmin Hindu Shahi Emperor Bhimdev. The Janjua Shahiya emperors now ruled from Ghandar (Kandahar of Afghanistan) to the whole of Punjab in what was known as the second phase of the Hindu Shahiya or the Janjua Shahi Dynasty.

Famed ethnologists and Indo researchers Sir Alexander Cunningham (Coins of Medieval India Reprint. Varanasi:1967 p56,p62), Elliot and Dowson (The History of India as told by it's own historians [Indian repr.1962].vol.i, p.22,425-26) and Sachau (Alberuni's India London 1914, vol.ii, p393-94) led research into the origins of the Pala Hindu Shahiya, the second dynasty that succeeded the initial Brahmin Dev Shahiyas. Through independent research they concluded that the origins of Emperor Jayapala Shah was in fact in the Janjua Rajput. In 1973's Al-Biruni International Congress in Pakistan, Dr Hussain Khan presented a paper in called "An Interpretation of Al-Biruni's Account of the Hindu Shahiyas of Kabul" which also confirmed the same findings. Finally, the Janjuas own genealogy records the names of the Janjua Shahi Jayapala as well as the continued descendants of his House (Gazetteer of the Jhelum District, Lahore 1904, p93).

Jayapala was challenged by the armies of Sabuktigin and his son Sultan Mahmud towards the end of his reign as emperor. According to the Minháj ad-Dīn in his chronicle Tabaqát-i Násiri (Tabaqát-i Násiri, H. G. Raverty's trans., Vol.1, p.82), writes a testament to the political and powerful stature of Emperor Jayapala Shah, "Jayapála, who is the greatest of all the ráis (kings) of Hind..." Upon being captured after a fierce battle with Sultan Mahmud, Jayapala was ransomed and upon his release, "he ordered the construction of a funeral pyre. Mounting and setting it alight, he nobly perished in the flames" (The Last 2 Dynasties of the Sáhis Prof. Abdur Rehman, Delhi Renaissance publishing house. p147). Misra wrote:"Jaypala was perhaps the last Indian ruler to show such spirit of aggression, so sadly lacking in later Rajput kings" (R.G.Misra, Indian Resistance to Early Muslim Invaders Up to 1206 AD, Anu Books, repr.1992).

Jayapala's son, prince Anandapala who ascended the throne (in about March/April 1002AD) already proved an able warrior and General in leading many battles prior to his ascension. According to Adáb al-Harb (p.307-10) in about 990, "the arrogant but ambitious Raja of Lahore Bharat, having put his father in confinement, marched on the country of Jayapála with the intention of conquering the districts of Nandana, Jailum and Tákeshar." Jayapala instructed prince Anandapala to repel the opportunist Raja Bharat. Anandapala defeated Bharat and took him prisoner in the battle of Takeshar and marched on Lahore and captured the city and extended his father's kingdom yet further. During Anandpala's reign many losses were incurred on his kingdom by the Ghaznavids. During the battle of Chach between Sultan Mahmud and Anandapala, it is stated that "a body of 30,000 Gakhars fought alongside as soldiers for the Shahi Emperor and incurred huge losses for the Ghaznavids" (The Last 2 Dynasties of the Sahis Prof. Abdur Rehman, Delhi 1988,p152). It is also mentioned in the same text that "the Gakhars (or Khokhars) formed a very significant force in the armies of the Sáhis". Despite the heavy losses of the enemy, he eventually lost the battle and suffered much financial and territorial loss. This was Anandapala's last stand against Sultan Mahmud. Anandpala eventually signed a treaty with the Ghaznavid empire in 1010AD and shortly a year later died a peaceful death. R.C Majumdar (D.V. Potdar Commemoration Volume, Poona 1950, p.351) compared him ironically to his dynasty's ancient famous ancestor "Porus, who bravely opposed Alexander but later submitted and helped in subduing other Indian rulers." And Tahqíq Má li'l-Hind (p 351) finally revered Anandapala in his legacy as noble and courageous.

Tirlochanpála, the son of Anandapala, ascended the throne in about 1011AD. Inheriting a reduced kingdom, he immediately set about expanding his kingdom into the Siwalik Hills, the region of the Rai of Sharwa. His kingdom now extended from the River Indus to the upper Ganges valley. According to Al-Biruni, Tirlochanpála "was well inclined towards the Muslims" and was honourable in his loyalty to his father's peace treaty to the Ghaznavids. He later rebelled against Sultan Mahmud and was eventually assassinated by some of his own mutinous troops in 1021-22AD, an assassination which was believed to have been instigated by the Rai of Sharwa who became his arch-enemy due to Tirlochanpala's expansion into the Siwalik ranges (The Last 2 Dynasties of the Sahis Prof. Abdur Rehman, Delhi 1988,p166). Trilochanpala was romanticised in Punjabi folklore as the Last Punjabi ruler of Punjab.

Bhímapála, son of Tirlochanpala, succeeded his father in 1021-22AD. He was referred to by Utbí (vil.ii, p.151) as "Bhīm, the Fearless" due to his courage and valour. Considering his kingdom was at its lowest point, possibly only to the control of Nandana, he admirably earned the title of fearless from his enemy's own chronicle writer. He is known to have led the battle of Nandana personally and seriously wounding the Commander of the Ghaznavid army Muhammad bin Ibrahim at-Tāī. He ruled only five years after his father before meeting his death in 1026AD. Bhimpala's remaining descendants, Rudrapal and his brothers Diddápála and Anangapāla had settled in Kashmir and played a major role in the court of Kashmirian king Ananta (1028-63AD). According to the Rājtarahginī (vii, p.145), Rudrapal proved himself extravagant in personal valour by crushing the rebels of the king, as commander in chief of the Kashmiri royal army. Al-Biruni, despite living under Sultan Mahmud's grace, praises the house of Jayapala: “ We must say that in all their grandeur, they never slackened in the ardent desire of doing that which is good and right, that they were men of noble sentiment and noble bearing ”. In Kalhana in Rājtarahginī, writes of the Janjua Shahis: “Where is the Shahi dynasty with its ministers, its kings, and its great grandeur? ... The very name of the splendor of Shahi kings has vanished. What is not seen in dream, what even our imagination cannot conceive, that dynasty accomplished with ease ”.

Raja Dhrupet Dev Janjua ruled Mathura state in about 1150AD. Dhrupet Dev was also the ruler of the Mandu fort of the Siwalik hills. He was well known for being a Pandava descendant through Prince Arjun's great grandson Maharaja Janamejaya. Raja Dhrupet's rule of Mathura ended in 1195AD when Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the general of the Ghorid army, attacked Mathura and exiled the ruling royal family. According to Mohyal historians (Gulshan-e-Mohyali) Raja Dhrupet's younger brother Raja Shripat Dev, accompanied the exile back to the Siwalik hills. Shripat Dev later, "established his dominion at Katasraj (old name Namaksar) in Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan, Distt. Jhelum." The Mohyal commanders in chief of the Janjua army at this point were Rai Tirlok Nath Bali and Bam Dev Bhimwal (Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province by Horace Arthur Rose, 1990, p134). Regarding the Janjuas' descent from the Pandavas dynasty, the Bali and Bhimwal generals of Raja Dhrupet Dev of Mathura, recorded that the Janjua Raja Dhrupet Dev was the descendant of Emperor Janamejaya. "This reference was recorded in 1195AD" (Culture and Political History of Kashmir by Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai, MD Publ. Ltd., 1994, p637, p669, p670). Sir Lepel H Griffin K.C.S.I. had also recorded in the early 1900s "the Janjuas were Pandavas in origin" (Punjab Chiefs, L.H.Griffin, 1909 Lahore, p213).

Raja Dhrupet Dev was the father of a famous Janjua Chief Raja Ajmal Dev Janjua who embraced Islam in the 12th century and rose to become the next rising force of the Janjua Rajput. He followed the Islamic tradition of changing his name after conversion but was better known as Raja Mal Khan. He was among the first Muslim Rajputs recorded in Indian history. Raja Mal's conversion took place whilst he was in his teens and he inclined towards Islamic philosophy of the Sufis brought by the Dervishes of the Chistiya order, before the armies of Shahabudin Ghauri entered into the Indian Potohar Plateau. Raja Mal Khan migrated from Mandu fort in the Siwalik Hills to the Koh-i-Jud and settled at Rajgarh which he later renamed Mal-Kot (Malot). He re-conquered the Salt Ranges of Punjab to establish the dominion which his forefathers lost almost two centuries earlier to the Ghaznavids (Journal of Central Asia Vol. XIII. No.1, 1990,p.78). [Malot was originally called Shahghar or Rajghar - meaning home of the Shahis/Kings but was later changed to Malot (Mal-Kot) in recognition of its famous King, Raja Mal.]

The Tarikh-e-Alfi of the Ghorids mentions the rebellious behaviour of Raja Mal Khan towards the Delhi Sultanate. It records that a "Rai Mal" of the mountains between Lahore and Kabul excited a rebellion against them and intercepted communications between Lahore and Ghazni (Chronicles of Early Janjuas Dr Hussain Khan, iUniverse, 2003, p16). There is still today remnants of an ancient fort in Malot, Chakwal which was initially built by the Shahis and later rebuilt by Raja Mal Khan. It is also inscribed that the last Hindu Shahi prince Raja Mal embraced Islam at this place. Raja Mal Khan was also the first ruler to begin the mining of salt in the Salt Ranges of Kallar Kahar and in the Khewra Salt Mines of Punjab which is currently the world's second largest salt mine. Other Janjua descendants include Ranial/Dhamial Rajputs, Tanoli Rajputs (also spelt Tanaulis/ Tanawalis), Pulowal Rajputs, Hindwal Rajputs and Khakha Rajputs who are essentially the descendants of Raja Bhir, Raja Tanoli and Raja Khakha respectively. Raja Bhir, Tanoli, Khakha, Jodh and Kala are all sons of the famous Janjua chief, Raja Mal Khan Janjua. (for further details see Chakri Rajgan - Home )

The Janjua Rajputs are a prominent tribe of Punjab (both Pakistani and Indian Punjab). They have a history that spans centuries through various notable rulers, tribal chiefs, princes and kings since the time of the Mahabharat to the present age through Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan -General Asif Nawaz Khan Janjua. They were amongst the earliest Rajput converts to Islam and established their own Riyasats (kingdoms) during the 12th century which up until the early 19th century remained in their respective control. Janjuas rebelled against the Delhi Sultanate in the early 13th century and also later aided the Mughal conqueror Babur's route into India with other allied mountain tribes and served in the Mughal army in their conquests of India. Many forts within Punjab are still remnant of their royal past, such as the Kusak fort, Sohava fort, Girjaak fort in Makhiala Jhelum, Malot fort in Chakwal District, Nagi fort, Dalowal fort, Dhandot fort, Kath Saghral and Masral fort, Dhak Janjua fort, Akrand fort and many more. They have played a major part in Punjabi history in their regions through their alliances and rebellions with invaders and other mountainous warrior tribes.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

The Janjuas of Punjab
By Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh (Retd)
Posted at: Mar 5, 2017, 12:57 AM
Last updated: Mar 5, 2017, 12:57 AM (IST)


The sub-continent’s past has ensured that the fertile plains of Punjab, on either side of the Line of Control, have a sprinkling of the illustrious ‘Janjuas’ who could be Muslims, Sikhs or Hindus. Tracing their antiquity and ancestry to the Pandavas (direct bloodline of Arjuna) and to the fabled ‘Rai Por’ or King Porus who fought Alexander — this warrior sect was designated as the so-called ‘martial caste’ by the British.

With proud Rajput heritage of soldering and chivalrous instincts, the Janjuas are mostly settled in modern-day Pakistan (in the districts of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Mirpur), and are predominantly Muslim by faith. The sub-classification of this sect branched into family names like Ranial, Gaharwal, Jatal, Dhamial etc. Considering a combined population in India and Pakistan of approximately 3 lakh Janjuas, they have punched way above their weight in terms of the historical narrative and the current societal prominence.

When the dust finally settled on the much-awaited race for the new foreign secretary of Pakistan, it was the lower-in-seniority, Tehmina Janjua who pipped the hot-favourite and senior most, Abdul Basit (Ambassador to India), to the post. As the first women to become Pakistan’s top diplomat, she will share the rough and tumble of navigating Pakistan’s fate in the choppy seas of sub-continental affairs, along with Lt General Nasser Khan Janjua (retired), the serving National Security Adviser (NSA) of Pakistan.

Lt General Janjua earned his post-retirement assignment due to his robust military record of commanding a brigade on the Pakistani side of the Siachen Glacier, serving critical appointments like DGMO, Strike Corp Commander and as the Vice Chief of General Staff.

Raheel Sharif is a quintessential Janjua with an impressive and impeccable military lineage. His elder brother Major Rana Shabbir Sharif was honoured with the highest Pakistani gallantry award ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and his maternal uncle Major Raja Aziz Bhatti had also won the ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. However, Gen Raheel Sharif was not the first Janjua to be the Chief of Pakistan Army — the honour goes to the Sandhurst-trained, General Asif Nawaz Janjua (1991-93). Like General Raheel Sharif, General Asif Nawaz was known to be the rare Pakistani COAS who showed no inclination towards politics and was essentially liberal, above-board and anti-fundamentalism.

The soldering ethos of the Janjuas are aptly captured by the Rawalpindi District Gazetteer Robertson, “The Janjua Rajputs possess a proud martial reputation and rank very highly as the aristocracy of the Salt Range. Their pride in their ancestry is renowned and they are always addressed by their ancestral title of Raja.”

The myriad spread of forts in Sohava, Dalowal, Kusak, Girjaak, Malot, Nagi are reflective of their fiefdoms that were zealously guarded by the fierce Janjuas of the region.

Pakistan’s religio-sectarian divide has denied the rightful place to Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua, the highest serving soldier to have died in a battle. Relegated to the dust shelves of the Pakistani military historians, is the unsung saga of a gallant Brigadier in the Rann of Kutch sector in 1965 war, and later the inspirational leader who led from the front, whilst commanding the 23rd Infantry Division in the Chamb Sector, only to die in a battle when his helicopter was brought down. His belonging to the Ahamadiyya faith (ostensibly ‘non-Muslim’ in Pakistan), suppressed his heroics in the annals of Pakistan. The noble warriors with the finest martial instincts are yet another example of the shared history, ethos and the civilizational-connect that is often forgotten in the storms of the Indo-Pak relationship.

— The writer is former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands & Puducherry


http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/sunday-special/perspective/the-janjuas-of-punjab/372811.html

 

[Joe Shearer]

Although I don't agree with many points in this note, please accept my compliments on a very well written and comprehensive, 360 degree view of the subject.

Really informative.

This is without prejudice to @Brahmarshi and his contrasting note.

This is also in spite of the gratuitous insult to another member contained within. Although personally I might make light of an accusation of being dalit, that remark might be construed as a deep and wounding insult by another. It was unnecessary. [Post amended]

You sound dalit to me . Every dalit pretend to be brahmin on internet but Mr dalit you should not talk about stuffs which you dont know. Now let me educate you about history of Janjua Rajputs


The Janjua Rajputs are a branch of the ancient Pandava Dynasty. The Pandavas were a Chandravanshi Kuru branch of the ancient Vedic Aryans of India descending primarily from the legendary vedic King Pururava (also known as Puru) and lived in about the 14th century BC. "General Alexander Cunningham of India concluded the Janjua to be of Aryan origin" (Panjab Castes, Sir Denzil Ibbetson, Delhi 2002, p99). Arjuna, the famous Pandava Kshatriya hero of the Mahabharata epic is known as the most prominent father of this dynasty. Prince Arjun was the first cousin of the famed Hindu prince Lord Krishna and married Krishna's sister, Subhadra, to extend his dynasty. "It was Prince Arjun who carried out Krishna's funeral rites" (Arjuna in the Mahabhrata by Ruth Cecily Katz, University of South Carolina, 1989, back matter).

The apical ancestor of the Janjuas - Maharaja Janamejaya (until c. 1000 BC), King of Hastinapur [the capital of which was Indraprasta (modern day Delhi)] who was the great grandson of Arjuna Pandava (through his father Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu son of Arjuna). Maharaja Janamejaya was also known as the "Serpent Killer" after the famous mass revenge killing of all snakes and the "Nagas" people - people possibly of Tibetan origin who were rulers of a nearby state responsible for the assassination of his father Parikshit. His descendants were also known historically as the Pandavas and the Pauravas.

India's other name Bharat or Bharat-Varsh is actually named after a forefather of the Pandava dynasty, Bharat (until c. 1300BC). Bharat-Varsh means "Kingdom of Bharat" ("Recruiting, Drafting, and Enlisting (Military and Society, 1)"Peter Karsten, 1998, USA, p119). The Mahabharata epic is a narration which records a war between Bharat's later descendants the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas for the throne of Hastinapur. This epic is also believed to be the world's longest poem and Janamejaya was responsible for the retelling of it. The Pandavas were also known as Pauravas after another prominent ancestor Puru.

The Pauravas ruled Kekaya which was widely known as the Kingdom of the Puru/Pauravas Clan and it was Rai Por or more popularly known in the west as King Porus who fought Alexander the Great in 326 BC (in what is now Jhelum, Pakistan) in the famed Battle of the Hydaspes. It is said: “Unlike Darius, Porus fought aboard his elephant until the end..In victory Alexander treated Porus with the dignity reserved for a great warrior reinstating him a vassal king and sealing the bond of friendship” (The Horse in the Ancient World by Ann Hyland 2002 Sutton Publ.,p161). According to Arian, Alexander is said to have asked King Porus "How would you like me to treat you?" to which Porus famously replied "As a Raja (king)". The answer touched Alexander, who in return allowed the Raja of the Pauravas to retain his Kingdom (Alexander the Great - Nick McCarty, Carlton Books, 2004, p111). The "List of Indian monarchs" gives an account of the period of rule of the Bharata-Puru-Pandava-Pauravas-Janjua Shahi phase from approx 1600BC to 1026AD.

It must also be noted here that although the Janjuas are essentially Pandavas, the famous Jarral Rajput, a powerful Rajput dynasty who ruled Rajaur for well over 600 years were also Pandavas by origin through Nanak Rao, the brother of "Maharaja of the Kurus" Janamejaya. A known scion of the Pandava dynasty through Janamejaya became a very well known and recognised warrior king in his time. His name was Rai Janjua Paal. He was famous for his conquests and warlike temperament and was believed to be the last emperor of Hastinapur. He named his branch as Janjua henceforth and this name has remained in his dynasty. From about 964AD, the Janjua chief Parambhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Sri Jayapaladeva (Epithets known from the Bari Kot inscriptions) succeeded the Brahmin Hindu Shahi Emperor Bhimdev. The Janjua Shahiya emperors now ruled from Ghandar (Kandahar of Afghanistan) to the whole of Punjab in what was known as the second phase of the Hindu Shahiya or the Janjua Shahi Dynasty.

Famed ethnologists and Indo researchers Sir Alexander Cunningham (Coins of Medieval India Reprint. Varanasi:1967 p56,p62), Elliot and Dowson (The History of India as told by it's own historians [Indian repr.1962].vol.i, p.22,425-26) and Sachau (Alberuni's India London 1914, vol.ii, p393-94) led research into the origins of the Pala Hindu Shahiya, the second dynasty that succeeded the initial Brahmin Dev Shahiyas. Through independent research they concluded that the origins of Emperor Jayapala Shah was in fact in the Janjua Rajput. In 1973's Al-Biruni International Congress in Pakistan, Dr Hussain Khan presented a paper in called "An Interpretation of Al-Biruni's Account of the Hindu Shahiyas of Kabul" which also confirmed the same findings. Finally, the Janjuas own genealogy records the names of the Janjua Shahi Jayapala as well as the continued descendants of his House (Gazetteer of the Jhelum District, Lahore 1904, p93).

Jayapala was challenged by the armies of Sabuktigin and his son Sultan Mahmud towards the end of his reign as emperor. According to the Minháj ad-Dīn in his chronicle Tabaqát-i Násiri (Tabaqát-i Násiri, H. G. Raverty's trans., Vol.1, p.82), writes a testament to the political and powerful stature of Emperor Jayapala Shah, "Jayapála, who is the greatest of all the ráis (kings) of Hind..." Upon being captured after a fierce battle with Sultan Mahmud, Jayapala was ransomed and upon his release, "he ordered the construction of a funeral pyre. Mounting and setting it alight, he nobly perished in the flames" (The Last 2 Dynasties of the Sáhis Prof. Abdur Rehman, Delhi Renaissance publishing house. p147). Misra wrote:"Jaypala was perhaps the last Indian ruler to show such spirit of aggression, so sadly lacking in later Rajput kings" (R.G.Misra, Indian Resistance to Early Muslim Invaders Up to 1206 AD, Anu Books, repr.1992).

Jayapala's son, prince Anandapala who ascended the throne (in about March/April 1002AD) already proved an able warrior and General in leading many battles prior to his ascension. According to Adáb al-Harb (p.307-10) in about 990, "the arrogant but ambitious Raja of Lahore Bharat, having put his father in confinement, marched on the country of Jayapála with the intention of conquering the districts of Nandana, Jailum and Tákeshar." Jayapala instructed prince Anandapala to repel the opportunist Raja Bharat. Anandapala defeated Bharat and took him prisoner in the battle of Takeshar and marched on Lahore and captured the city and extended his father's kingdom yet further. During Anandpala's reign many losses were incurred on his kingdom by the Ghaznavids. During the battle of Chach between Sultan Mahmud and Anandapala, it is stated that "a body of 30,000 Gakhars fought alongside as soldiers for the Shahi Emperor and incurred huge losses for the Ghaznavids" (The Last 2 Dynasties of the Sahis Prof. Abdur Rehman, Delhi 1988,p152). It is also mentioned in the same text that "the Gakhars (or Khokhars) formed a very significant force in the armies of the Sáhis". Despite the heavy losses of the enemy, he eventually lost the battle and suffered much financial and territorial loss. This was Anandapala's last stand against Sultan Mahmud. Anandpala eventually signed a treaty with the Ghaznavid empire in 1010AD and shortly a year later died a peaceful death. R.C Majumdar (D.V. Potdar Commemoration Volume, Poona 1950, p.351) compared him ironically to his dynasty's ancient famous ancestor "Porus, who bravely opposed Alexander but later submitted and helped in subduing other Indian rulers." And Tahqíq Má li'l-Hind (p 351) finally revered Anandapala in his legacy as noble and courageous.

Tirlochanpála, the son of Anandapala, ascended the throne in about 1011AD. Inheriting a reduced kingdom, he immediately set about expanding his kingdom into the Siwalik Hills, the region of the Rai of Sharwa. His kingdom now extended from the River Indus to the upper Ganges valley. According to Al-Biruni, Tirlochanpála "was well inclined towards the Muslims" and was honourable in his loyalty to his father's peace treaty to the Ghaznavids. He later rebelled against Sultan Mahmud and was eventually assassinated by some of his own mutinous troops in 1021-22AD, an assassination which was believed to have been instigated by the Rai of Sharwa who became his arch-enemy due to Tirlochanpala's expansion into the Siwalik ranges (The Last 2 Dynasties of the Sahis Prof. Abdur Rehman, Delhi 1988,p166). Trilochanpala was romanticised in Punjabi folklore as the Last Punjabi ruler of Punjab.

Bhímapála, son of Tirlochanpala, succeeded his father in 1021-22AD. He was referred to by Utbí (vil.ii, p.151) as "Bhīm, the Fearless" due to his courage and valour. Considering his kingdom was at its lowest point, possibly only to the control of Nandana, he admirably earned the title of fearless from his enemy's own chronicle writer. He is known to have led the battle of Nandana personally and seriously wounding the Commander of the Ghaznavid army Muhammad bin Ibrahim at-Tāī. He ruled only five years after his father before meeting his death in 1026AD. Bhimpala's remaining descendants, Rudrapal and his brothers Diddápála and Anangapāla had settled in Kashmir and played a major role in the court of Kashmirian king Ananta (1028-63AD). According to the Rājtarahginī (vii, p.145), Rudrapal proved himself extravagant in personal valour by crushing the rebels of the king, as commander in chief of the Kashmiri royal army. Al-Biruni, despite living under Sultan Mahmud's grace, praises the house of Jayapala: “ We must say that in all their grandeur, they never slackened in the ardent desire of doing that which is good and right, that they were men of noble sentiment and noble bearing ”. In Kalhana in Rājtarahginī, writes of the Janjua Shahis: “Where is the Shahi dynasty with its ministers, its kings, and its great grandeur? ... The very name of the splendor of Shahi kings has vanished. What is not seen in dream, what even our imagination cannot conceive, that dynasty accomplished with ease ”.

Raja Dhrupet Dev Janjua ruled Mathura state in about 1150AD. Dhrupet Dev was also the ruler of the Mandu fort of the Siwalik hills. He was well known for being a Pandava descendant through Prince Arjun's great grandson Maharaja Janamejaya. Raja Dhrupet's rule of Mathura ended in 1195AD when Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the general of the Ghorid army, attacked Mathura and exiled the ruling royal family. According to Mohyal historians (Gulshan-e-Mohyali) Raja Dhrupet's younger brother Raja Shripat Dev, accompanied the exile back to the Siwalik hills. Shripat Dev later, "established his dominion at Katasraj (old name Namaksar) in Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan, Distt. Jhelum." The Mohyal commanders in chief of the Janjua army at this point were Rai Tirlok Nath Bali and Bam Dev Bhimwal (Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province by Horace Arthur Rose, 1990, p134). Regarding the Janjuas' descent from the Pandavas dynasty, the Bali and Bhimwal generals of Raja Dhrupet Dev of Mathura, recorded that the Janjua Raja Dhrupet Dev was the descendant of Emperor Janamejaya. "This reference was recorded in 1195AD" (Culture and Political History of Kashmir by Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai, MD Publ. Ltd., 1994, p637, p669, p670). Sir Lepel H Griffin K.C.S.I. had also recorded in the early 1900s "the Janjuas were Pandavas in origin" (Punjab Chiefs, L.H.Griffin, 1909 Lahore, p213).

Raja Dhrupet Dev was the father of a famous Janjua Chief Raja Ajmal Dev Janjua who embraced Islam in the 12th century and rose to become the next rising force of the Janjua Rajput. He followed the Islamic tradition of changing his name after conversion but was better known as Raja Mal Khan. He was among the first Muslim Rajputs recorded in Indian history. Raja Mal's conversion took place whilst he was in his teens and he inclined towards Islamic philosophy of the Sufis brought by the Dervishes of the Chistiya order, before the armies of Shahabudin Ghauri entered into the Indian Potohar Plateau. Raja Mal Khan migrated from Mandu fort in the Siwalik Hills to the Koh-i-Jud and settled at Rajgarh which he later renamed Mal-Kot (Malot). He re-conquered the Salt Ranges of Punjab to establish the dominion which his forefathers lost almost two centuries earlier to the Ghaznavids (Journal of Central Asia Vol. XIII. No.1, 1990,p.78). [Malot was originally called Shahghar or Rajghar - meaning home of the Shahis/Kings but was later changed to Malot (Mal-Kot) in recognition of its famous King, Raja Mal.]

The Tarikh-e-Alfi of the Ghorids mentions the rebellious behaviour of Raja Mal Khan towards the Delhi Sultanate. It records that a "Rai Mal" of the mountains between Lahore and Kabul excited a rebellion against them and intercepted communications between Lahore and Ghazni (Chronicles of Early Janjuas Dr Hussain Khan, iUniverse, 2003, p16). There is still today remnants of an ancient fort in Malot, Chakwal which was initially built by the Shahis and later rebuilt by Raja Mal Khan. It is also inscribed that the last Hindu Shahi prince Raja Mal embraced Islam at this place. Raja Mal Khan was also the first ruler to begin the mining of salt in the Salt Ranges of Kallar Kahar and in the Khewra Salt Mines of Punjab which is currently the world's second largest salt mine. Other Janjua descendants include Ranial/Dhamial Rajputs, Tanoli Rajputs (also spelt Tanaulis/ Tanawalis), Pulowal Rajputs, Hindwal Rajputs and Khakha Rajputs who are essentially the descendants of Raja Bhir, Raja Tanoli and Raja Khakha respectively. Raja Bhir, Tanoli, Khakha, Jodh and Kala are all sons of the famous Janjua chief, Raja Mal Khan Janjua. (for further details see Chakri Rajgan - Home )

The Janjua Rajputs are a prominent tribe of Punjab (both Pakistani and Indian Punjab). They have a history that spans centuries through various notable rulers, tribal chiefs, princes and kings since the time of the Mahabharat to the present age through Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan -General Asif Nawaz Khan Janjua. They were amongst the earliest Rajput converts to Islam and established their own Riyasats (kingdoms) during the 12th century which up until the early 19th century remained in their respective control. Janjuas rebelled against the Delhi Sultanate in the early 13th century and also later aided the Mughal conqueror Babur's route into India with other allied mountain tribes and served in the Mughal army in their conquests of India. Many forts within Punjab are still remnant of their royal past, such as the Kusak fort, Sohava fort, Girjaak fort in Makhiala Jhelum, Malot fort in Chakwal District, Nagi fort, Dalowal fort, Dhandot fort, Kath Saghral and Masral fort, Dhak Janjua fort, Akrand fort and many more. They have played a major part in Punjabi history in their regions through their alliances and rebellions with invaders and other mountainous warrior tribes.

The Janjuas of Punjab
By Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh (Retd)
Posted at: Mar 5, 2017, 12:57 AM
Last updated: Mar 5, 2017, 12:57 AM (IST)


The sub-continent’s past has ensured that the fertile plains of Punjab, on either side of the Line of Control, have a sprinkling of the illustrious ‘Janjuas’ who could be Muslims, Sikhs or Hindus. Tracing their antiquity and ancestry to the Pandavas (direct bloodline of Arjuna) and to the fabled ‘Rai Por’ or King Porus who fought Alexander — this warrior sect was designated as the so-called ‘martial caste’ by the British.

With proud Rajput heritage of soldering and chivalrous instincts, the Janjuas are mostly settled in modern-day Pakistan (in the districts of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Mirpur), and are predominantly Muslim by faith. The sub-classification of this sect branched into family names like Ranial, Gaharwal, Jatal, Dhamial etc. Considering a combined population in India and Pakistan of approximately 3 lakh Janjuas, they have punched way above their weight in terms of the historical narrative and the current societal prominence.

When the dust finally settled on the much-awaited race for the new foreign secretary of Pakistan, it was the lower-in-seniority, Tehmina Janjua who pipped the hot-favourite and senior most, Abdul Basit (Ambassador to India), to the post. As the first women to become Pakistan’s top diplomat, she will share the rough and tumble of navigating Pakistan’s fate in the choppy seas of sub-continental affairs, along with Lt General Nasser Khan Janjua (retired), the serving National Security Adviser (NSA) of Pakistan.

Lt General Janjua earned his post-retirement assignment due to his robust military record of commanding a brigade on the Pakistani side of the Siachen Glacier, serving critical appointments like DGMO, Strike Corp Commander and as the Vice Chief of General Staff.

Raheel Sharif is a quintessential Janjua with an impressive and impeccable military lineage. His elder brother Major Rana Shabbir Sharif was honoured with the highest Pakistani gallantry award ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and his maternal uncle Major Raja Aziz Bhatti had also won the ‘Nishan-e-Haider’ in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. However, Gen Raheel Sharif was not the first Janjua to be the Chief of Pakistan Army — the honour goes to the Sandhurst-trained, General Asif Nawaz Janjua (1991-93). Like General Raheel Sharif, General Asif Nawaz was known to be the rare Pakistani COAS who showed no inclination towards politics and was essentially liberal, above-board and anti-fundamentalism.

The soldering ethos of the Janjuas are aptly captured by the Rawalpindi District Gazetteer Robertson, “The Janjua Rajputs possess a proud martial reputation and rank very highly as the aristocracy of the Salt Range. Their pride in their ancestry is renowned and they are always addressed by their ancestral title of Raja.”

The myriad spread of forts in Sohava, Dalowal, Kusak, Girjaak, Malot, Nagi are reflective of their fiefdoms that were zealously guarded by the fierce Janjuas of the region.

Pakistan’s religio-sectarian divide has denied the rightful place to Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua, the highest serving soldier to have died in a battle. Relegated to the dust shelves of the Pakistani military historians, is the unsung saga of a gallant Brigadier in the Rann of Kutch sector in 1965 war, and later the inspirational leader who led from the front, whilst commanding the 23rd Infantry Division in the Chamb Sector, only to die in a battle when his helicopter was brought down. His belonging to the Ahamadiyya faith (ostensibly ‘non-Muslim’ in Pakistan), suppressed his heroics in the annals of Pakistan. The noble warriors with the finest martial instincts are yet another example of the shared history, ethos and the civilizational-connect that is often forgotten in the storms of the Indo-Pak relationship.

— The writer is former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands & Puducherry


http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/sunday-special/perspective/the-janjuas-of-punjab/372811.html

I am glad that this note mentions my personal hero among Pakistani general officers, Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua (sometimes Eftekhar). His conduct of the battle of Chhamb in 1971 was masterly; his ability to switch the axis of attack from one flank to another never allowed his opposing 10th Div. to stop him, and the result was the only victory and the only accrual of territorial gain to the Pakistan Army in 1971.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

This is without prejudice to @Brahmarshi and his contrasting note.

This is also in spite of the gratuitous insult to another member contained within. Although personally I might make light of an accusation of being dalit, that remark might be construed as a deep and wounding insult by another. It was unnecessary, unworthy and ungracious, and spoilt the effect of an otherwise a very fine note.

Joe i have used word " Dalit" intentionally for this so called Brahman Brahmarshi who is here to give certificate of approval to others . Dalit should not be a offensive word for these so called brahmanz who invented this vile concept of untouchability and have been oppressing their own kind in the name of caste. Its your character which define you so i assume there will be many dalits who would be better in character and more noble than these insecure Brahmans who are full of complexes and insecurities. This topic would have been very informative without these trolls

 

[Juggernaut_Flat_Plane_V8]

Everybody this is an important thread ..please don't hurl mud at each other and get bogged down and get the thread locked down ...

I am Bengali hailing from Burdwan...This is supposed to be the eastern most travel destination of Jain Founder Mahavira.

The Eastern most place traveled by the Buddha is RajMahal in Jharkhand and really no that far from the Bangladesh Border


Now coming down to my caste/clan/tribe , it is Aguri OR Ugra Kshatriyas OR roughly translated in Aggressive Kshatriyas ....Where I come from may OR may not have been part of one of the 16 Mahajanapadas or republics in 500 BC....I think Burdwan,Birbhum,Nadia and Murshidabad districts were under the Anga Kingdom of 500 BC (the rough point from which the second Urbanization of India starts)

My caste was supposed to come under OBC, but was stopped by prominent politician from our caste Jadhav Panja (Jadabendra Panja), who argued that we should be considered high caste...By the way all the males originating from Jadabendra Panja's Lineage have green eyes even till now


Pranoy Roy of NDTV is an Aguri..though his mother is White European...Everybody in the family were encouraged to learn English and we were put through English Medium school bceause of a sense of pride when Pranoy Roy used to host "The World This Week"

Famous author Arundhati Roy (yes that Arundhati) being another Aguri
Shakti Samanta the famous film director who basically launched Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore

Ajit Kumar Panja ----Late Union minister of Coal and theatre actor




Now a bit about my clan from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aguri_(caste)


Aguri (caste)

Aguri, also known as Ugra Kshatriya, is a caste or community of Hindus found in the districts of Bardhaman, Birbhum, Hooghlyand Bankura in the state of West Bengal in India.[1] Aguris are considered as a middle-caste group and constitute "more prosperous owner-peasants" among the peasant communities of Bengal.[2][3][4]



Aguris are a cultivating and trading caste. According to Santosh Kumar Kundu, they were brought by the ruler of Burdwan from Agra to West Bengal to fight against the British colonists.[1] William Benjamin Oldham, a British civil servant and ethnographer who wrote Some Historical and Ethnical Aspects of Burdwan District (1891), said that they originated from marriage alliances between the Sadgop rulers of Gopbhum and the Khatri rulers of Burdwan. He based this on the Aguri's own account but McLane believes that Oldham was misled by the Aguri. Citing a 1589 work by Mukundaram. McLane says that the Aguri were present "almost certainly" before the arrival of the Khatris in Burdwan.[5]

Manu, a Hindu religious text, says Ugra (meaning aggressive) was born to a Shudra girl by a Kshatriya father. This mixed origin meant that the community was considered to have an ambivalent position in the Hindu varna system, although by the 1960s they were claiming to be pure Kshatriya.[6]



Photo to locate the Anga Kingdom

 

[Joe Shearer]

Joe i have used word " Dalit" intentionally for this so called Brahman Brahmarshi who is here to give certificate of approval to others . Dalit should not be a offensive word for these so called brahmanz who invented this vile concept of untouchability and have been oppressing their own kind in the name of caste. Its your character which define you so i assume there will be many dalits who would be better in character and more noble than these insecure Brahmans who are full of complexes and insecurities. This topic would have been very informative without these trolls

In general principle, I agree with you, but I would still be ginger about using the word as a descriptor. It might be taken as an insult, by those who denigrate Dalits. If you called me Dalit, I wouldn't care; I am a sat-shudra according to Baudhayan in any case.

I really wish you hadn't used that particular put-down.

My frankness is due to my sense that I am discussing this with a peer, with an educated and sensitive person; I would not have said so to a green bhakt.

In a more positive vein. The marked portion of your reply made me burst out laughing, because that is the precise definition of caste; anyone who behaves like a Brahmin, including one who was born to Dalit parents, is a Brahmin; anyone who was born to Brahmin parents and behaves like something else (there is no caste known as Dalit) is that something else. For something else, you can substitute the rather formal and unrealistic Kshatriya or Vaisya.

Bang on.

 

[Juggernaut_Flat_Plane_V8]

@Joe Shearer Are there any original Kshatriya caste left that can trace their lineage to 500 BC or so? I am not talking of Rajputs,Jatts,Gujjars who are of Indo-Scythian, Pahlava Indo-Parthian, and Huna in origin (at least in part)?

are there any original Kshtariya clan still left in UP,Bihar from the Mahajanapda era?