The term Pahari Rajput refers to a number of Pahari speakingRajput clans found along the slopes of the Pir Panjal in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistani administered Kashmir.

AbOUT 500,000 Rajputs reside in Azad Kashmir, with the central districts of Poonch, Bagh and Kotli being home to a large number of Rajput clans. Pahari speaking Rajput clans are also found in Rajauri, Poonch, Udhampur and Reasi districts in Indian administered Kashmir.

The Jammu Region

The Jammu Region, which is one of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir state (the other two being the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh), is bounded on the North by the Pir Panjal Range of the middle Himalayas, in the south by Punjab, to the East by Ladakh and close to the West in Pakistan. The lower Himalayan ranges begin suddenly behind the town of Jammu, which is placed on a slope of over 1300 feet above sea level, overlooking and commanding the plain watered by the Chenab, Ravi, Tawi and Ujh rivers. The Jammu region consists of ten districts: Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Poonch, Kishtwar, Reasi, Samba, Ramban and Rajouri. The city of Jammu is the winter capital of the state (the summer capital being Srinagar, in the Kashmir Valley).

The Dogras traditionally inhabited the area between the slopes of Shivalak range of mountains, the sacred lakes of Saroien sar and Mannsar. Saroieen sar is located 30 km west of Jammu. Dogras are believed to be of Rajput origin migrating many centuries ago from Rajputana (now called Rajestan) to the hilly areas of Jammu. They speak the Dogri language and the majority are followers of Hinduism. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, some Dogras embraced Sikhism and some embraced Islam, hence, these factors, together with The Effects of immigration into the region, have resulted in the current population including members of all three religions.

Rajputs of the Punjab Hill States and Jammu

History of the Panjab Hill States by J. Hutchinson and J.P.Vogel lists a total of 22 states (16 Hindu and 6 Muslim) that formed the State of Jammu following the conquest of Kashmir by Raja Ranjit Singh in 1820. Of these 6 Muslim states, two (Kotli and Poonch) were ruled by Mangrals, two (Bhimber and Khari-Khariyala) were ruled by Chibs, one (Rajouri) was ruled by the Jarrals and one (Kishtwar) was ruled by the Kishtwaria. Of these 22 states, 21 formed a pact with Ranjit Singh and formed the State of Jammu. Only Poonch ruled by the Mangrals retained a state of semi-autonomy. Following the War of 1947 Poonch was divided and is now split between Pakistan Administered Kashmir Poonch District (AJK) and Indian Administered Kashmir Poonch.

As stated in History of the Panjab Hill States by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel: "Kotli was founded about the fifteenth century by a branch of the royal family of Kashmir. Kotli and Punch remained independent until subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1815 and 1819 respectively."

The royal family of Kashmir which Hutchinson and Vogel are referring to is the family of Raja Mangar Pal the son of Raja Hani Dev and the ancestor of the Mangral rajput.

Kotli was historically known as Kotli Mangrallan.

There is a famous saying in Pahari: "Kotli Mangrallan da, Rajouri Jarallan da, Bhimber Chiban da, Mirpur Gakharan da, Khari Sohlana da"

Translation:

• Kotli is ruled by the Mangral
• Rajouri is ruled by the Jarral
• Bhimber is ruled by the Chib
• Mirpur is ruled by the Gakhar
• Khari Sharif is ruled by the Sohlan

Main Clans

The central districts of Poonch, Bagh, Sudhnoti, Kotli are home a large number of Rajput clans. Included among them are the Kamlak, Charak, Jhakeer, Jeehur, Lange, Raisyal, Kistwaria and Katoch.

The main Rajput clans found in the State include Baghial, Bhatti, Bhao Rajputs, Bhawpal Rajputs,Bais Rajput,Chattar,Chib,Chauhan, Domaal Rajputs, Janjua Rajput, Jarral Rajputs, Junhal, Kahlotra,Kamlak, Khakha, Khokhars, Malik tribe, Mangral,Magray, Manhas, Munhal, Narma, Pareh, Rathore, Sakhial, Sohlan and Thakial Rajputs.

Here is a brief description of the major Pahari speaking Muslim Rajput clans:

Baghial

The Baghial are a Paramara Rajput clan. They are found in Mirpur District, and use the title Raja.

Bais

The Bais or pronounced Bhains in the local Pahari, Kashmiri and Punjabi languages are a clan Suryavanshi Rajputs. They are found in Mirpur Kotli,sudhnoti & poonch Districts, and use the title Raja.

Bangial

The Bangial are a clan of Parmara Rajputs. They are found in Mirpur and Kotli districts of Azad Kashmir. Most of the Bangial clan considers itself Jat in Mirpur. They use the title Raja.

Bhao

The Bhao are a clan of Raghbansi Rajputs. They are found in Bhimber District, and use the title Raja.

Bhawpal

Found in Poonch, Bagh and Rajauri, part of the Chibhali tribal group. They use the title Sardar.

Charak

Some communities of the Charak of Jammu had converted to Islam. After the division of Kashmir in 1948, the Muslim Charak moved to Punjab.

Chattar

A small population of muslim Chattar rajputs is found in Azad Kashmir.Chattars in Jammu region are commonly known as Dogra Rajputs.

Chib

The Chib are a clan of the Katoch Rajputs. They are found in Mirpur and Bhimber Districts, and use the title Raja.

Dhamial

The Dhamial are a clan of the Janjua Rajputs. Most Dhamial in Mirpur District consider themselves to be Jat. They use the title Raja

Domaal

The Domaal are a clan of Rajputs, who are collectively known as Chibhali. They are found in Poonch District of both Indian and Pakistani administerd Kashmir. They use the title Sardar.

Jarral

The Jarral are a clan of Tonwar Rajputs. Found mainly in Rajauri District of Indian administered Kashmir. In Pakistan administerd Kashmir, refugees families settled in Mirpur District. The use the title Raja and uniquely Mirza.

Junhal

Another Chibhali clan found in the divided Poonch District. They use the title Sardar, like other Poonch Rajputs

Kahlotra

A Minhas clan, refugees from Reasi District. Found mainly in Mirpur District. They use the title Raja.

Katoch

The Muslim branch of this clan is found in Doda District. The Chib clans claims descent from the Katoch.

Khakha

A Janjua clan, found mainly in Muzaffarabad and Kupwara District. The Teziyal clan is found in Bagh.

Kistwaria

The Kistwaria are found in Udhampur District. They were once rulers of the Kisthwar region, which was one of the Muslim Rajput hill states.

Mangral

The Mangral, are a Rajput warrior clan originating from the Jangladesh region of Rajastan and the historical founders and rulers of the Panjab Hills States of Kotli and Poonch. Their great ancestor Raja Mangar Pal was the founder of the City of Kotli in Pakistan administered Azad Kashmir. Raja Sehns Pal Khan was the founder of the city of Sehnsa in Azad Kashmir. The Mangrals ruled Kotli State until 1815 and they ruled Poonch State until 1819 following which both of these states were incorporated into the State of Jammu by the Sikh Raja Ranjit Singh.

Today, Mangrals are based mainly in Kotli District, Poonch District (AJK), Trar Dewan Rawalakot(AJK) and Poonch in Indian Administered Kashmir although many have also emigrated to Europe and the United States of America.

Minhas

Perhaps the largest tribe in Jammu & Kashmir. Muslim Minhas are found in Kotli and Bhimber districts of Pakistan administerd Kashmir, and in Rajauri, Udhampur and Jammu Districts of Indian administered Kashmir.

Narma

The Kashmir Narma are found in Bagh and Poonch. They are a Parmara clan. They use the title Raja.

Panhwar

The Panwar or Parmara are found in a few villages in the Mirpur District. Many of other clans such as the Narma, Baghial, Bangial and Sohlan claim Parmara ancestry.

Rathore

Found in Jammu, Rajauri and Kotli districts. Also found among the Kashmiris of the valley. They are known as the Rathers.

Sakhial

The Sakhial are found in Mirpur District. They use the title Raja.

Sohlan

A Paramara clan, found in Mirpur District. They use the title Raja.

Sulehria

Historically found in Jammu and Kathua. Most Muslim Sulehria are now found in Punjab

Thakial

Found mainly in Kotli District, once rulers of Rajauri. They use the title Raja.

See also

• Muslim Rajputs
• Jats
• Dogras
• Ethnic groups of Azad Kashmir

References

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