When Niazis contested for throne of Delhi

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Islam Shah succeeded to the throne after the death of sher Shah suri. Though Sher Shah`s eldest son, Adil Khan was nominated by him as his successor but the nobles preferred Jalal Khan, Sher Shah`s younger son who was regarded more capable by them. Jalal Khan was called by them to come to Kalinjar and after his arrival, he was declared Sultan on 27 may 1545 A.D. He assumed the title of Islam Shah.

Islam Shah could not feel secure as long as his elder brother was alive. He asked him to come to Agra. He was assured of his life and the grant of Jagir of Sayan. Eminent nobles like Isa Khan Niazi and Khawas Khan stood surety for his life. Adil Khan went to Agra, paid homage to the Sultan and returned to Bayana. Islam Shah tried to murder him but failed. Feeling insecure Adil Khan sought support of Khawas Khan. They combined their forces and proceeded towards Agra but the rebels were defeated. Adil Khan fled towards Panna and was heard of no more. Khavass Khan also fled towards Sarhind.

Islam Shah tried to kill ail those nobles who were supposed to be in sympathy with Adil Khan. Thirteen old nobles were sent to Gwalior where they were blown by gun-powder. Said Niazi fled away from the court and found shelter with his brother Haibat Khan Niazi, governor of Lahore. .On account of his flight, Islam Shah went back to Agra, where he collected his troops and marched thence towards Dehli. When Shujé.’ Khan received intelligence of these occurrences, he hastened to Dehli with all possible speed, without being summoned by Islam Shah. The King gratified him by treating him with distinction, and after arranging his army, and halting some days at Dehli, he proceeded in the direction of Lahore. ’Haibat Khan and the whole of the King’s enemies had an interview with Khawas Khan and his friends, and dispatched a powerful force from the Panjab to encounter Islam Shah. They came up with each other near Ambala; and as Islam Shah was encamped very near the Niazi troops, a fight was imminent.

On the night preceding the day of battle, ’Haibat Khan and his brothers met in Khawas Khan’s tent, and consulted together concerning the appointment of another Sovereign. Khawas Khan said, that the best course would be to raise ’Adil Khan, the eldest son of Sher Shah, to the throne, as he was the rightful heir. Upon this all the Niazis said unanimously, “ What advice is this ? No one obtains a kingdom by inheritance ; it belongs to whoever can gain it by the sword.’.’ Khawas Khan was vexed at their intentions, and on the same night he secretly sent a verbal message to one of the confidential servants of Islam Shah, requesting him to inform the King, that although His Majesty looked on him (Khawas Khan) as an unfaithful servant, yet that his heart had always inclined towards Sher Shah’s family and offspring; and that although he had sided with ’Adil Khan, who were the Niazis that he should be guilty of disloyalty to his benefactor on their account, and for the sake of their alliance ? That his wish to be of service should, with the consent of the Almighty, be made manifest on the day of battle.

When Islam Shah became aware of the disagreement which had taken place amongst the chiefs of the enemy, and of the friendly feeling of Khawas Khan, he rejoiced exceedingly, and became confident of success. Meanwhile, news was brought that the Niazi troops had advanced to within a very short distance of the royal camp. Islam Shah said: “ The Afghans have no sense.” He made an enclosure with all his wheeled carriages, like a fortress, into which he caused the whole of his army to enter, and then went in person to reconnoiter the Niazis from an elevated position. When he beheld the foe, he said, “ I shall be disgraced if I do not fight the rebel troops,” and ordered the chains, with which the carriages were fastened together to be removed. At that moment, he ranged his troops in battle array, and made ready for the fight. The war drums were beaten on both sides._ Khawas Khan sent to tell ’Haibat Khan and his brothers to advance when they saw him do so on his elephant with his standard displayed, and not to forsake him. With this intention they turned their faces towards the field. Khawas Khan started from his post, but attacked no one, and succeeded in making his way into the open country. The Niazis fought to the best of their ability, but as no benefit is ever derived from disloyalty, and as it always occasions distress and regret, they were routed, and the victory remained with Islam Shah.

Whilst these events were occurring, Said Khan Niazi, the brother of ’Haibat Khan, came armed to the teeth, under the pretext of congratulating the King; hoping, as no one knew him, to find an opportunity of slaying Islam Shah. He mixed with the royal guards. Islam Shah was at the time standing surrounded by a circle of war elephants, and Said Khan was, consequently, unable to reach him immediately. He was shortly afterwards recognized by one of the elephant drivers, who gave the alarm, and was slain by a thrust of Said’s spear. Said’s valour and strength enabled him to make good his escape from the place where the royal guards were. The Niazis fled to Dinkot, which is near Roh. After their defeat, they were hindered in their flight by the marshy ground in the neighborhood bf Ambala, which prevented their horses from proceeding, and consequently Islam Shah’s troops who were in pursuit coming up with them, made a great slaughter of the Niazis. Islam Shah followed them in person as far as New Rohtas, and there appointed Khwaja Wais Sarwani, with an immense army, to prosecute the war with the Niazis, after which he turned back towards agra and Gwalior.

Haibat khan Niazi and Khwaja Wais fought together on several occasions. In the last action ’haibat khan defeated the Khwaja, and turned his face towards Sirhind. When Islam Shah heard this news, he raised a large force, and sent it against the Niazis, on which ’haibat khan retraced his steps and went to Mankot. Islam Shah’s troops came up with him near Sambhal, and a battle took place, in which the Niazis, numbering 20,000 were again routed. Numbers of Niazi women, falling into the hands of conquerors, were sent to Islam shah. The captured Niazis including women and children were brutally treated by Islam Shah. According to Ram Prasad Tripathi,
"The most repugnant and disgusting feature in the Niazi war was the beastly treatment given to Niazi women.Some were kept exposed for months in the state of nudity. Others were made over to harlots!
This dishonor of Niazi ladies was resented by afghans in general, most of whom were in some way connected togather.
After their defeat, the Niazis took refuge with the Ghakkars, in the hill-country bordering on Kashmir. Islam Shah advanced in person with a large army for the purpose of quelling the Niazi rebellion, and during the pace of two years was engaged in constant conflicts with the Ghakkars, whom he desired to subdue. He strove by every means in his power to gain possession of the person of Sultan Adam Ghakkar, who had been a faithful friend of the Emperor Humayun, without success; but he caught Serang Sultan Ghakkar, who was one of the most noted men of his tribe, and caused him to be flayed alive, and confined his son, Kamal Khan, in the fort of Gwalior. When Islam Shah had thus taken a proper revenge of Sultan Adam Ghakkar, and destroyed many of his tribe, many of the zaminda'rs whose possessions were at the foot of the hills submitted themselves to him. Skirting the hills.

He then set seriously to work to exterminate the Niazis. When the Ghakkars had been rendered powerless, Haibat Khan went into the hill-country of Kashmir. Islam Shah encamped beneath Kaitiili-shahr, and designed to pursue the Niazis into Kashmir; while Mirza Haidar, the Governor of Kashmir, in order to gain Islam Shah’s good-will, blocked up the road against the Niazis. ’haibat khan perceived that the King was coming in his rear, and that the Governor of Kashmir had closed the path on ahead ; being, therefore, unable to effect anything, he went to Rajauri. Islam Shah 'pursued the Niazis with the choicest of his troops as far as the village of Madad, in the territory of Naushahra, where he was terrified by the dangers and difficulties of the mountain passes, and thought that his best plan would be to make peace. With this view he sent Said Khan and ’Abdu-l Malik, who were two of his most trusted and confidential courtiers, with a letter to ’haibat khan and the other Niazis, counseling them to take a course by which their interests would be best benefited’. Haibat khan son and mother were then surrendered as hostages to Islam Shah, and he, taking them with him, quitted the defiles of the hills, and encamped at Ban, a village near Sialkot.

Muhammad Nazr and Sabr ’Ali, the King of Kashmir’s governors in Réjanri, plotted to carry ’Haibat khan into Kashmir, and expel Mirza Haidar thence. Haibat khan consulted the Afghans who had accompanied him with reference to the propriety of this proceeding, and the greater portion of them counseled him to consent to what was evidently a decree of the Almighty. ’haibat khan, however, refused to agree to this arrangement, and sent a brahman to Mirza Haidar, with proposals for accommodation, at the same time begging for assistance, and giving an account of his distressed condition. Mirza Haidar, who was a youth of a magnanimous disposition, sent a large sum of money to ’haibat Khan, with a civil message.

Haibat khan marched from his encampment to the village of Buzurg. When the faithless Kashmiris saw that haibat khan was unsuccessful, they turned against him and deserted him. Some of them went over to Islam Shah. Ghazi Khan Chak went to Mirza Haidar and told him that haibat khan was coming with a body of Afghans for the purpose of seizing Kashmir, and had reached the pargana of Banihél, and the hills of Lohkot and Malwakot. I'di Ratna, Husain Mékari, Bahrarn Chak, and Yusuf Ghak, were ordered to attack the Niazis with a. force of Kashmiris. Both sides prepared for action, and a fierce contest took place. Bibi Rabia, the wife of Haibat khan, fought like a man, and smote Lali Chak with her sword. The Kashmiris were very numerous, and were victorious over the discomfited Afghans. ’Haibat khan, Said Khan, and Bibi Rabi'a were killed in the battle, and the men of Kashmir returned successful to Srinagar. Mirza Haidar sent the heads of the Afghans, by the hand of Ya’kiib Mir, to Islam Shah, who was in the village of Ban, near the river Chinab, and who, well pleased at the termination of the Niazi rebellion, marched back homewards.


sources:
The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians: The Muhammadan Period - Sir Henry Miers Elliot - Google Books

History Of India Under Humayun - William Erskine - Google Books

 

[ghoul]

Niazis owe to Gakhars it seems . There are 2 errors here. Sultan Sarang of the Gakhars was killed in battle in Mirpur and did not really surrender. He had waged a guerrilla war against Sher Shah Suri's forces and the labourers of Rohtas fort. Sultan Adam, the successor and brother of Sultan Sarang was also never subdued. He was finally killed by Kamal Khan Gakhar, the son of Sultan Sarang who was imprisoned in Gwalior but was later pardoned by Islam Shah. Gakhars were and are almost impossible to subdue. Even Sikhs couldn't subdue their "mandis", which are their hill retreats in Azad Kashmir.

In fact none of the main Potohari tribes are subdue-able. When Akbar came to power, he gave the responsibility of taxation of Potohar to the Gakhars. According to their history, the Kaigoharnama, whenever they sent an officer to tax the Mair-Minhas of Chakwal, the Minhas would always kill the tax officer. And whenever revenge expeditions were sent against them, they would simply disappear into the hills and caves of Chakwal. The Janjuas of Jhelum and Chakwal were also friends of Mughals and big enemies of Gakhars. They had sided with Sher Shah Suri against the Gakhars.

 

[Imran Khan]

looteery saaly chor

 

[Android]

I misread the title for "When Nazis contested for throne of Delhi"

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Later history of Niazis
It is said that 8 out of every 10 niazis perished in the above mentioned war. The remnants returned back to their lands , present day lakki marwat. soon a war broke out between two factions of Niazis, neighboring marwat tribe took advantage of their infighting and invaded their lands. Niazis were defeated and the surviving ones fled to Isa khel, mianwali where they defeated jats and awans........i am quoting rest from mianwali gazeteer

Ghakkars of Mianwali
The most important sections of the expelled Niazais were the Isakhel, Mushanis and a portion of the Sarhangs. The first named took root in the south of their new country and shortly developed into agriculturists ; the second settled farther to the north roundabout Kamar Mushani, and seem for a time to have led a pastoral life ; of the Sarhangs, some took up their abode at Sultan Khel, while others, after drifting about for several generations, permanently established themselves cis-Indus on the destruction of the Ghakkar stronghold of Muazzam Nagar by one of Ahmad Shah's lieutenants. That event occurred about 1748, and with it terminated the long connection of the Ghakkars with Mianwali. They seem to have been dominant in the northern parts of the country even before the emperor Akbar presented it in jagir to two of, their chiefs. During the civil commotions of Jehangir's reign the Niazais are said to have driven the Ghakkars across the Salt Range, and though, in the following reign, the latter recovered their position, still their hold on the country was precarious, and came to an end about the middle of the 18th century as stated above. The remains of Muazzam Nagar, their local capital, were visible on the left high bank of the Indus about six miles south of Mianwali, until the site was eroded by the river about the year 1870. The Niazais thus established themselves in Isa Khel over three hundred years ago, but their Sarhang branch did not finally obtain its present possessions in Mianwali, until nearly 150 years later.

Expulsion of the Ghakkars in 1748
In 1748 a Durrani army under one of Ahmad Shah's generals crossedthe Indus at Kalabagh, and drove out the Ghakkars, who still ruled in the cis-Indus tracts of the district, owing nominal allegiance to the Emperor at Delhi. Their stronghold, Muazzam Nagar, was razed to the ground, and with their expulsion was swept away the last vestige of authority of the Mughal Emperor, in these parts.

The armies of Ahmad Shah marched repeatedly through the district, the cis-Indus portion of which was, with the rest of the Punjab, incorporated in the Durrani Kingdom in 1756, and for the next sixty years a precarious hold was maintained on their eastern provinces, including this district, by Ahmad Shah and his successors to the throne of the newly created Kingdom of Kabul.
Punjab District Gazetteers: Mianwali district (v. 30A) - Google Books

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Septimus Smet Thorburn says,
When the Niazais, that is, the children of 'Isa, Sarhang, Musa, fled beyond the kurm to the east, there was discord in their camp ; but the Isa khel were strongest, and took the best lands the the south. When they had ex- pelled the Awans, and subjected the Jat tribes dwelling on
the Indus, Mullahi sheikh Farid divided the land amongst them into sixteen shares,and the descendants of the sons of Isakhan, themammakhel, badinzai, Zakkukhel, and Abukhel received four each. The Sarhangs and Mushanis went north one day's journey, and settled on the right bank of the Indus; but the Ghakkars held the left bank
until the army of Ahmad Shah Abdali came from khora- san und destroyed Moazimnagar, their chief city, and drove the remnant out of the country. Then many of the Sarhangs, the Daud Khel. Tajokhel, "Wattakhel and others, crossed over and built themselves cities' on the
other bank, and live there to this day.
Bannu: Or Our Afghan Frontier (1876) - Septimus Smet Thorburn - Google Books

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Some notable Niazis............

Niazis have heavy presence in army

 

[ghoul]

Later history of Niazis
It is said that 8 out of every 10 niazis perished in the above mentioned war. The remnants returned back to their lands , present day lakki marwat. soon a war broke out between two factions of Niazis, neighboring marwat tribe took advantage of their infighting and invaded their lands. Niazis were defeated and the surviving ones fled to Isa khel, mianwali where they defeated jats and awans........i am quoting rest from mianwali gazeteer

Ghakkars of Mianwali
The most important sections of the expelled Niazais were the Isakhel, Mushanis and a portion of the Sarhangs. The first named took root in the south of their new country and shortly developed into agriculturists ; the second settled farther to the north roundabout Kamar Mushani, and seem for a time to have led a pastoral life ; of the Sarhangs, some took up their abode at Sultan Khel, while others, after drifting about for several generations, permanently established themselves cis-Indus on the destruction of the Ghakkar stronghold of Muazzam Nagar by one of Ahmad Shah's lieutenants. That event occurred about 1748, and with it terminated the long connection of the Ghakkars with Mianwali. They seem to have been dominant in the northern parts of the country even before the emperor Akbar presented it in jagir to two of, their chiefs. During the civil commotions of Jehangir's reign the Niazais are said to have driven the Ghakkars across the Salt Range, and though, in the following reign, the latter recovered their position, still their hold on the country was precarious, and came to an end about the middle of the 18th century as stated above. The remains of Muazzam Nagar, their local capital, were visible on the left high bank of the Indus about six miles south of Mianwali, until the site was eroded by the river about the year 1870. The Niazais thus established themselves in Isa Khel over three hundred years ago, but their Sarhang branch did not finally obtain its present possessions in Mianwali, until nearly 150 years later.

Expulsion of the Ghakkars in 1748
In 1748 a Durrani army under one of Ahmad Shah's generals crossedthe Indus at Kalabagh, and drove out the Ghakkars, who still ruled in the cis-Indus tracts of the district, owing nominal allegiance to the Emperor at Delhi. Their stronghold, Muazzam Nagar, was razed to the ground, and with their expulsion was swept away the last vestige of authority of the Mughal Emperor, in these parts.

The armies of Ahmad Shah marched repeatedly through the district, the cis-Indus portion of which was, with the rest of the Punjab, incorporated in the Durrani Kingdom in 1756, and for the next sixty years a precarious hold was maintained on their eastern provinces, including this district, by Ahmad Shah and his successors to the throne of the newly created Kingdom of Kabul.
Punjab District Gazetteers: Mianwali district (v. 30A) - Google Books

Niazis and Khattaks were pumped by a Sayyid from Baghdad to cross river Indus and attack Gakhars. It seems they did succeed initially, but were later repelled by a Gakhar counter attack. Also I'm not sure why Abdali attacked Gakhars in Mianwali as their main chieftain, Sultan Muqarrab(Attock se Jhelum, Muqarrab Badshah) was allied with Abdali. After the Gakhar rule collapsed, the Awans from Talagang moved into Kalabagh and occupied it. Till this day, Mianwali east of Indus is called "Awankari". There's also a strong deal of hatred between Awans and Niazis in Mianwali.

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Niazis and Khattaks were pumped by a Sayyid from Baghdad to cross river Indus and attack Gakhars. It seems they did succeed initially, but were later repelled by a Gakhar counter attack. Also I'm not sure why Abdali attacked Gakhars in Mianwali as their main chieftain, Sultan Muqarrab(Attock se Jhelum, Muqarrab Badshah) was allied with Abdali. After the Gakhar rule collapsed, the Awans from Talagang moved into Kalabagh and occupied it. Till this day, Mianwali east of Indus is called "Awankari". There's also a strong deal of hatred between Awans and Niazis in Mianwali.

That gazzeteer is saying that ghakkars were maintaining mughal authority in the region, thats why abdali finished their rule in mianwali. I read some where that Niazis used to collect taxes from bannu for Durranis, so Niazis might have offered the alliance in exchange for expelling ghakkars from the other side of indus in mianwali.
I read some where that awankari refers to entire awan region, not just the northren portion of mianwali. Am i right? What does -kari means?
And against nawab of kalabagh in 70s, people of that region started some mahaz to overthrow him. In our region nawab of kalabagh is very famous figure, it is said that amir mohammad khan once planned to teach lesson to marwat people when some marwat men made fun of one of his servant. His men rode on buses with weapons , but stopped at dara tang when they heard the news that each and every marwat tribesmen is preparing for war

 

[ghoul]

That gazzeteer is saying that ghakkars were maintaining mughal authority in the region, thats why abdali finished their rule in mianwali. I read some where that Niazis used to collect taxes from bannu for Durranis, so Niazis might have offered the alliance in exchange for expelling ghakkars from the other side of indus in mianwali.
I read some where that awankari refers to entire awan region, not just the northren portion of mianwali. Am i right? What does -kari means?
And against nawab of kalabagh in 70s, people of that region started some mahaz to overthrow him. In our region nawab of kalabagh is very famous figure, it is said that amir mohammad khan once planned to teach lesson to marwat people when some marwat men made fun of one of his servant. His men rode on buses with weapons , but stopped at dara tang when they heard the news that each and every marwat tribesmen is preparing for war

Awankari means the salt range area which is dominated by Awans. It refers to the Mianwali district areas east of Indus, where Wan Bachran and Musa Khel are Awan strongholds, and western Chakwal district, especially talagang tehsil, where awans form the majority. Also their language is also called awankari, which is a dialect of Potohari influenced by Seraiki. I believe Khushab also comes in awankari.

And according to Punjab chiefs, the Kalabagh's nawab's reign was always violent. They were probably able to hold their own due to their strong marital alliances with Baloch nawabs and the Ghebas of Attock. Ghebas of Attock are quite influential, with prince Atta Malik as their current head. Their horses are are world famous and they organize tent pegging competitions every year. The Gheba chief in Ranjit Singh's era was so independent that he murdered his dushman in front Ranjit Singh. The nawabs of Kalabagh raised around 300 horsemen for british in 1857. I heard the nawabs have their own private militia nowadays.

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Awankari means the salt range area which is dominated by Awans. It refers to the Mianwali district areas east of Indus, where Wan Bachran and Musa Khel are Awan strongholds, and western Chakwal district, especially talagang tehsil, where awans form the majority. Also their language is also called awankari, which is a dialect of Potohari influenced by Seraiki. I believe Khushab also comes in awankari.

And according to Punjab chiefs, the Kalabagh's nawab's reign was always violent. They were probably able to hold their own due to their strong marital alliances with Baloch nawabs and the Ghebas of Attock. Ghebas of Attock are quite influential, with prince Atta Malik as their current head. Their horses are are world famous and they organize tent pegging competitions every year. The Gheba chief in Ranjit Singh's era was so independent that he murdered his dushman in front Ranjit Singh. The nawabs of Kalabagh raised around 300 horsemen for british in 1857. I heard the nawabs have their own private militia nowadays.

In our areas khushab is known for awan population, must be part of awankari. You are quite knowledgeable about history of your region. Can you tell me what was the role of awans, ghakkars, janjua and other tribes of potohar in the ranjeet singh period?. Did they supported or resisted sikhs?. Shan is of opinion that they were parts of ranjeet singh forces.

 

[ghoul]

In our areas khushab is known for awan population, must be part of awankari. You are quite knowledgeable about history of your region. Can you tell me what was the role of awans, ghakkars, janjua and other tribes of potohar in the ranjeet singh period?. Did they supported or resisted sikhs?. Shan is of opinion that they were parts of ranjeet singh forces.

Gakhars and Janjuas fiercely resisted Sikhs. Janjuas had multiple chieftains who were individually defeated by Ranjit Singh. One such chief who owned a fortress in chakwal known as "qila kusak" where they held out against Sikh bombardment for 6 months. All the sikh attempts to take that fort were repelled as the fort was built with military genius. Finally at the end, the janjuas and sikhs made a peace deal where the janjua chief was allowed to go scots free for the exchange of his fort for 40 years. The second janjua stronghold was qila Girjaak in Makhiala, which was also besieged by sikhs for many months. The SIkhs managed to defeat the janjua chief of girjaak, and his fortress was completely destroyed and pillaged by the Sikhs. They never joined the Sikhs at all as most of their land was confiscated by the Sikhs. Before Sikhs, Janjuas and Gakhars had some heavy fighting in Jhelum and salt range, with Gakhars beating the janjuas most of the times, but the Gakhars avoided the Janjua strongholds in salt range as they were too difficult for Gakhars to take.

The Gakhars on the hand always had a single chief,unlike the Janjuas. The last major chief, Sultan Muqarrab allied with Abdali against the Mughals, and in return got the title of "nawab" from Abdali. He overran the area between Chenab and Jhelum, which was formerly under the possession of Chibhs of Bhimber. He defeated the Chibhs. Present day Gakhar mandi in Gujranwala was built as the easternmost colony of his chiefdom. His territorial expansion brought him into conflict with the bhangi sikh missal. His army had a conventional clash with Bhangis in gujrat, where he was defeated and compelled to retire across jhelum. In Jhelum, he was murdered by his own men, who wanted to take over the Gakhar chieftainship. This resulted in a Gakhar infighting, which was taken as an opportunity by the Sikhs who crossed over Jhelum and overran the whole Potohar. The Gakhars harassed the Sikhs though. They were such a nuissance for the Sikhs, that the Sikhs passed an order to kill any gakhar on sight in rawalpindi. Their chieftainship claimants were arrested by the Sikhs and taken to Lahore and imprisoned there. Their strongholds in AJK were avoided by the Sikhs, but Gulab SIngh Dogra attacked them there and thus ended most of their might.

When british took over, they returned at least parts of their earlier land holdings for "good conduct". I will talk about awans some other time. They are mostly a recent phenomenon, unlike the gakhars and janjuas who are old rulers.

PS: Also, you might wanna research about the Tiwanas of Sargodha and Kharrals of gogera. Punjabi musalman warrior tribes were famed for their horse riding skills throughout british india, with a lot of colonial officers rating the gakhar cavalry the best. The sikh cavalry sucked in contrast. The sikh punjabi was said to be a better infantry, but punjabi musalman was considered better cavalry. The martial race distinction that these tribes got was due to their "non-sedentary" lifestyle. These people are active in sports, and actively hunt for game as a hobby. I have seen hunters in my village in jhelum, who are literally sharpshooters, who can shoot flying birds. Also, there's a strong culture of boar hunting in the "martial races", who use dogs to do so.

And there are a lot of Niazis living in Lahore, interestingly.

 

[dawn_news]

When british took over, they returned at least parts of their earlier land holdings for "good conduct". I will talk about awans some other time. They are mostly a recent phenomenon, unlike the gakhars and janjuas who are old rulers.
.

I don't know why Awans claim foreign ancestry. They are not recent phenomenon, just changed their origin claims. Dilip Kumar is also awan.

"However, there are those who attribute an indigenous origin to the Awan tribe; these include Alexander Cunningham, Harikishan Kaul, HK Gupta[15] and Professor Ahmed Hasan Dani. Alexander Cunningham looked upon the Awans as a higher Rajput clan.[16] He writes, " According to the Emperor Babar the Jud and the Janjuha were "two races descended from the same father, "[17] who from old times had been rulers of the hills between Nilab and Bhera, that is, of the salt range. "On one-half of the hill lived the Jud, and on the other half the Janjua." The Awans now occupy western half of these hills towards Nilab, and from all I could learn, they would appear to have been settled there for many centuries. They must therefore be the Jud of Baber's memoirs, for Jud was not the true name of the people, but was applied to them as the inhabitants of Mt' Sakeswar, which was called Jud by the Muhammadans on account of fancied resemblance to Mt. Jud, or Ararat in Armenia".[18] However he accepts that,"In the total absence of all written records, I have almost nothing to offer in favour of this identification, except its great probability."[19] According to Robert George Thomson, "General Cunningham's argument leads him to class the Awans as Rajputs and cousins of the Janjuas, and to represent them also as residents of three thousand years standing, this is almost certainly erroneous.[20]

Kaul was of the opinion that the tribe was of either Jat or Rajput origin, pointing to the fact that in Sanskrit, the term Awan means "defender" or "protector" and asserting that this title was awarded by surrounding tribes due to the Awans successfully defending their strongholds against aggression.[21] However it is also stated in Census of India, 1901, that "In the Salt-range Tract, however, the higher Rajput tribes, such as Janjua, are carefully excluded; and Jat means any Muhammadan cultivator of Hindu origin who is not aGakkhar, Pathan, Awan or Saiyad."[22]"

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Gakhars and Janjuas fiercely resisted Sikhs. Janjuas had multiple chieftains who were individually defeated by Ranjit Singh. One such chief who owned a fortress in chakwal known as "qila qusak" where they held out against Sikh bombardment for 6 months. All the sikh attempts to take that fort were repelled as the fort was built with military genius. Finally at the end, the janjuas and sikhs made a peace deal where the janjua chief was allowed to go scots free for the exchange of his fort for 40 years. The second janjua stronghold was qila Girjaak in Makhiala, which was also besieged by sikhs for many months. The SIkhs managed to defeat the janjua chief of girjaak, and his fortress was completely destroyed and pillaged by the Sikhs. They never joined the Sikhs at all as most of their land was confiscated by the Sikhs. Before Sikhs, Janjuas and Gakhars had some heavy fighting in Jhelum and salt range, with Gakhars beating the janjuas most of the times, but the Gakhars avoided the Janjua strongholds in salt range as they were too difficult for Gakhars to take.

The Gakhars on the hand always had a single chief,unlike the Janjuas. The last major chief, Sultan Muqarrab allied with Abdali against the Mughals, and in return got the title of "nawab" from Abdali. He overran the area between Chenab and Jhelum, which was formerly under the possession of Chibhs of Bhimber. He defeated the Chibhs. Present day Gakhar mandi in Gujranwala was built as the easternmost colony of his chiefdom. His territorial expansion brought him into conflict with the bhangi sikh missal. His army had a conventional clash with Bhangis in gujrat, where he was defeated and compelled to retire across jhelum. In Jhelum, he was murdered by his own men, who wanted to take over the Gakhar chieftainship. This resulted in a Gakhar infighting, which was taken as an opportunity by the Sikhs who crossed over Jhelum and overran the whole Potohar. The Gakhars harassed the Sikhs though. They were such a nuissance for the Sikhs, that the Sikhs passed an order to kill any gakhar on sight in rawalpindi. Their chieftainship claimants were arrested by the Sikhs and taken to Lahore and imprisoned there. Their strongholds in AJK were avoided by the Sikhs, but Gulab SIngh Dogra attacked them there and thus ended most of their might.

When british took over, they returned at least parts of their earlier land holdings for "good conduct". I will talk about awans some other time. They are mostly a recent phenomenon, unlike the gakhars and janjuas who are old rulers.

PS: Also, you might wanna research about the Tiwanas of Sargodha and Kharrals of gogera. Punjabi musalman warrior tribes were famed for their horse riding skills throughout british india, with a lot of colonial officers rating the gakhar cavalry the best. The sikh cavalry sucked in contrast. The sikh punjabi was said to be a better infantry, but punjabi musalman was considered better cavalry. The martial race distinction that these tribes got was due to their "non-sedentary" lifestyle. These people are active in sports, and actively hunt for game as a hobby. I have seen hunters in my village in jhelum, who are literally sharpshooters, who can shoot flying birds. Also, there's a strong culture of boar hunting in the "martial races", who use dogs to do so.

And there are a lot of Niazis living in Lahore, interestingly.

Thanks for sharing this interesting chapter of history. About boar hunting, it also exists in my area though they have very much reduced in number. When a boar is captured alive, it is brought to village where infront of audiance,many dogs are opened on it.

 

[ghoul]

I don't know why Awans claim foreign ancestry. They are not recent phenomenon, just changed their origin claims. Dilip Kumar is also awan.

"However, there are those who attribute an indigenous origin to the Awan tribe; these include Alexander Cunningham, Harikishan Kaul, HK Gupta[15] and Professor Ahmed Hasan Dani. Alexander Cunningham looked upon the Awans as a higher Rajput clan.[16] He writes, " According to the Emperor Babar the Jud and the Janjuha were "two races descended from the same father, "[17] who from old times had been rulers of the hills between Nilab and Bhera, that is, of the salt range. "On one-half of the hill lived the Jud, and on the other half the Janjua." The Awans now occupy western half of these hills towards Nilab, and from all I could learn, they would appear to have been settled there for many centuries. They must therefore be the Jud of Baber's memoirs, for Jud was not the true name of the people, but was applied to them as the inhabitants of Mt' Sakeswar, which was called Jud by the Muhammadans on account of fancied resemblance to Mt. Jud, or Ararat in Armenia".[18] However he accepts that,"In the total absence of all written records, I have almost nothing to offer in favour of this identification, except its great probability."[19] According to Robert George Thomson, "General Cunningham's argument leads him to class the Awans as Rajputs and cousins of the Janjuas, and to represent them also as residents of three thousand years standing, this is almost certainly erroneous.[20]

Kaul was of the opinion that the tribe was of either Jat or Rajput origin, pointing to the fact that in Sanskrit, the term Awan means "defender" or "protector" and asserting that this title was awarded by surrounding tribes due to the Awans successfully defending their strongholds against aggression.[21] However it is also stated in Census of India, 1901, that "In the Salt-range Tract, however, the higher Rajput tribes, such as Janjua, are carefully excluded; and Jat means any Muhammadan cultivator of Hindu origin who is not aGakkhar, Pathan, Awan or Saiyad."[22]"

Awans are not related to Janjuas at all. They might be rajputs, but certainly not janjuas. Most rajputs do not intermarry with awans. Awans in kashmir also claim an arab origin. And the "jud" of babur were just janjua really. I have many reasons to say that but can't mention them right now.

Also, I heard Shahrukh Khan is also a hindkowan and not a Pashtun. Is that true?

Thanks for sharing this interesting chapter of history. About boar hunting, it also exists in my area though they have very much reduced in number. When a boar is captured alive, it is brought to village where infront of audiance,many dogs are opened on it.

Kohati bulterrier dogs are famed throughout the punjab. In punjab, the professional boar hunters always carry stitches with them as boars are very fierce animals. A lot of dogs get their intestines out, but the hunters quickly sew them back in. A very cruel sport.