Waraich (Warraich)

Waraich (also spelt as Baraich, Varaitch, Warraich or Varaich) is a Jat/Rajput gotra(clan).

Etymology

The name "Waraich" or "Bharaich" is believed to have been derived from the name of an area known as Bahraich, near Bareilly. Bahraich gradually changed to Bharhaich. A slight difference in pronunciation of sounds like 'Ba' with 'Wa' between East and West Punjab leads to Waraich. Further phonetic variations of the name are Varaich and Warraich.

Descent

This family is part of the Suraj Bansi (Suryavanshi in Sanskrit) clan. In English, Close translation can be Suraj=Sun Bansi=Dynasty. Hence, Sun Dynasty . They are know to be part of the Aryan migration to India. In India, Aryans had three separate clans that are the Suraj Bansi, the Chandar Bansi (Moon Dynasty) and the Agni Bansi (Fire Dynasty).

Sir Denzil Ibbeston speculated about the sprung from Jewish Descent of the Baraich tribe.

According to Sir Lepal Griffin, the Waraich established a city named Bharhaich in India. Later, the tribe moved towards Punjab in times of Ghazni and settled in Gujrat (in present day Pakistan)..

At present the original Baraich tribe is settled on the borders of Afghanistan and Balochistan (Pakistan).

History

According to Epigraphica Indica, Volume I, page29, a rock inscription Chamak Harsati Balaghat mentions that the Bharhaich Jats performed 10 Ashwamedha Yagnyas and, constructed 10 ghats in Banaras (now Varanasi). In fact, these people are clans of great bhara kingdom who ruled the entire eastern UP and bundelkhand region of India. Shri Kashi Prasad Jaisawal, an eminent historian, has refer them as Bharshiva who put the Shivalinga on their shoulder and committed to free the India from forgien yoke like Kushan and other Shaka Khastrpa. The offspring of these people are now known as "Rajbhar" and "Bhar" in eastern part and living in despicable conditions. According, to coins and copper plates found near village Janghat of Farrukhabad and various places in the Punjab, details of which are available in " India in the Cauvery" and "District Inscriptions in the Central Provinces of India".

Warraich have five sons which moved from eastern side of Punjab near Chenab in two cities Gujrat and Gujranwala. Three brothers moved Gujrat and other two moved to other side of Chenab in Gujranwala.

These Jats / Rajputs ruled over Shergarh, they also ruled over Nagaur and other cites till 275 AD. Inscriptions of their times are in Sanskrit.

In or about the 10th century A.D. they moved down to the river Jhelum in large numbers and settled down there. Till the 13th century AD they continued to fight with the Gujars. Even to day they occupy a very compact area comprising 360 villages in a region called Jatat.

In the days of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, a leader of these Jats named Heriya, joined Islam. A village founded by him is known as Hariyawala. After him all the Jats of this gotra joined Islam. Sagarh and Mard gotras are branches of this gotra

Migration Around 1537

Waraichs in Punjab consider themselves to be the progeny of three brothers, Hariya, Gunia and Kurtal, who were rulers of the Bahraich principality. During Sher Shah Suri's conquest of Bengal, these rulers captured his treasure enroute to the province. It was believed that Shah may not succeed in his campaign. To their surprise, Sher Shah won Bengal and established his rule over a large part of Northern India and present day Pakistan.

By this action, The Waraichs, found themselves on the opposing side to the ruler. They left the estate and traveled westwards. They settled upon finding suitable grazing grounds on the banks of the Chenab river. This new home was on the lands previously used by Gujjars for grazing their cattle. This drew rivalry between the Waraich Jats and the Gujjars. Traces of clans presence is evident from the name "Gujrat", which is thought to be derived from "Gujar-Jat".

The Waraich clan gradually spread out to places beyond Gujrat such as Gujranwala and Sargodha (in today's Punjab province of Pakistan).

Geographic distribution


Warraichs are mostly found in West Punjab in two districts Gujrat and Gujranwala. They have 141 villages in Gujrat and 84 villages in Gujranwala. They have very strong hold in the local areas and very famous warriors. 

Waraichs are found in large numbers in the Majha and Malwa (Punjab) region in the state of Punjab in India. In Pakistan, they still inhabit their strongholds along the Chenab.Historically they are landlord and farmers but are also considered fearless warriors and to date there are large numbers in the Indian and Pakistani armies.

 80% of residents in the village Bhai Bakhtaur, distt. Bathinda are Waraich. Sardar Kartar Singh Waraich (rtrd chief manager PSB bank)is one of the eminent personalities from this village.

Religion

Most of the latter generations of the Waraich in Punjab (Pakistan) were converted to Islam by Sufi saints, who settled in the Chenab Valley around the year 1780 AD. In Punjab (India) and Haryana, the Waraich are mostly Sikh or Hindu.

Famous People


*Maharaja Ranjit Singh( Thè grèat sikh ruler) 

*Shujaat Hussain (Former Caretaker Prime minister of Pakistan). 
*Ch. Parvaiz Illahi (Former CM Punjab Pakistan).
*Aitzaz Ahsan (President Supereme Court Bar Pakistan). 
*Tariq Aziz - Secretary NSC (National Security Council). 
*Lt.Gen (R)(late) Imtiazullah Waraich - VCOAS (Vice Chief of Army Staff) Pakistan Army.