Kang (Punjabi)

Kang is among one of the most ancient and oldest tribe of the Jatts dating back to thousands of years with rich history and past.

History

They came to Punjab via Balkh from the areas of River Sayer and Aral Ocean in Middle Asia. Kangs had arrived here at the time of Mahabharat. Kang, Malhi, Birak and Daha Jatt tribes were settled in Punjab at the time of Panani also. The chieftains of these tribes had confronted Alexander. Kang are historically referred to as "Kank" or "Kanka" in ancient scriptures.

The Mahabharata Tribes mention Kanka (कङ्क) in the tribute list Mahabharata (II.47.26) as wearing horns, a practice among some Iranian tribes of Central Asia. A Jat tribe living between Beas and Sutlej in Punjab is as Kang; claims descent from solar race of Ayodhya.

(II.47.26)

In Sanskrit works, they are mentioned as Kankas. See Shalya Parva in Sanskrit shloka 69, The Mahabharata Book 9: Shalya Parva, Chapter 44

।। 69 ।।

Mahabharata says that when Yudhishthira performed his rajasuya yajna, these people (Kanka) along with the Sakas and the Tukharas brought to Indraprashtha, their horses as gifts to the Pandava king. () Their origin is Central Asia. R. Sankritayana says that the founders of the canal system in Central Asia were the ancestors of Kangs. Visnu Purana and Brahmāṇḍa Purana mention the Kang as ruling over south Maharashtra and Bhoj areas. According to Fleet, they were ruling near Hyderabad and Musa river in south (Deccan). They are mentioned in the Aban Yasht, where the brave Hunas (Huns) of Vaesaka invoke the goddess Ardvisura at the gate of the lofty fort of Kshathrosaoka of the high and holy Kanga. Firdausi places the fort of Kang (Kangdez) at about a month's distance from China. Modi also mentions a Khyaona Arejataspa, (perhaps reminding of Ari-Zatoi of the Manda Empire). The Chinese name of Sogdian (Kang) is so named as the Kang-nu were the rulers there.

According to "Mahabharata Sabha Parva" page' 31 to 33 the 'King' ruler attended the coronation of Yudhishtra. They were Buddhists and paid no respect to the Brahmin priests. According to the "Vishnu Purana" and the "Brahma Purana" the clan of King would one day undergo all kinds of sufferings. They revolted against the Guptas in or about 350 AD.

Kangs are also considered from the lineage of Saka. Kangs are referred to as Kank in Sanskrit scriptures. At one time, they had Gujarat Kathiawar, Southern Maharashtra and Ujjain under their control. From Ujjain, they came towards Ayodhya and Delhi. The founding father of this Clan was a Kang. Kangs captured Bathinda and made Kangar their capital. It is also called Kathgarh. Huns destructed this village. Kangs left this area to reach Moga and Ferozepur. In Ferozepur, Kangs have many villages in the area of Makhu and Dharamkot. Some of the Kangs went towards Ludhiana. Bondli, Samrala, Barwali, Rahon, Majra, etc. are many villages of Kangs in Ludhiana.

Many Historians believe that Jatts are assumed to be the product of admixture of Indo-Scythian elements to local Indo-Aryan groups. If this believe is true then certain European last names like Kangas, Kahn etc. may have links to Kang as well only the name has changed spellings over thousands of years of separation.

Distribution of Kangs

Kangs mainly dwelled in the areas of Sutlej and Beas. In Doaba, Kang, mubarakpur, Lallian,and Khamano,Kotla Shamspur in Malwa etc. are many villages belonging to Kang Jatts. Some of Kang Jatts of Doaba also went towards Patiala, Ambala and Rohtak. Kangs are also found in large numbers in Majha. There is village named Kang in the area of Tarn Taran. Kangs are also found in Khadoor Sahib. From Majha, Kangs went further towards Multan, Muzzafargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Hazara in West Punjab. Some of the Kang Jatts also embraced Islam and live in Pakistan. It is said that Kangs converted from Hinduism and Islam to Sikhism during the times of Guru Nanak. Today Kangs can be found all over Punjab and many have migrated to other countries. There is a large population of Kangs in England, United States, Canada and Australia. Some Kang in Harayana are believers of Hinduism but majority of Kangs are Sikh.

Famous Kang

Tara Singh Kang, Dalewalia Misl was headed by Tara Singh Kang who was popularly known as Tara Singh Gheba. He had single-handedly assaulted Ahmed Shah Abdali’s army during night and then disappeared. He looted them of weapons and treasures and freed the Hindu women that were abducted by his forces for slavery on their way back from Delhi. Muslim soldiers feared Gheba so much that they kept full guard at night and started using "sardaron ke Barah Baj Jayee" as a term since he used to attack only at night. Hence the term and fear of Tara Singh Gheba spread throughout and later the same term is used to taunt Sikhs and used in Sikh related jokes. So this 12 o'clock issue was unfortunately taken in wrong terms. Tara Singh Gheba later conquered the forts of Rahon, Ghungrana, Dalla and Dharmkot and handed these over to his four sons. During his tenure, Kang chieftains were controlling 18 villages in the area of Nakodar-Doaba. He was also a very close friend and ally of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The devotee of Sikh Guru Arjan Dev, Bhai Banno was a Kang.

The Leader of Chali Mukhtay (The Forty Liberated ones) was Sardar Maha Singh Kang.

S. Ajit Singh Kang, a socialite and uncle of former M.P S. Jagmeet Singh Brar

Jagmohan Singh Kang, a Prominent Congress Leader in Punjab

Karambir Kang, a hero of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai on the Taj Hotel

Kurran Kang Sarabha, Revolutionary Freedom Fighter

A. S. Kang, Popular Musician & Singer

kanwarbir singh kang, NIT Jalandhar

"Mukhtiar Singh Kang" Prominent hero of Indian army awarded with President's award

"Dr. Kanwarjit Singh Kang" Prominent art historian living in Chandigarh.

"Sandeep Singh Kang" PEC Chandigarh.

Sources

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